REDACTED_JUSTIFICATION.pdf

CUI

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

This Justification and Approval is to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition to support requirements generated for the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), 638 Supply Chain Management Group (SCMG), 408 Supply Chain Management Squadron (SCMS) / GULB. The contracting activity for this requirement is Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation, Warner Robins, DLA/AWB. The purchase request number supporting this contracting action is FD2060-25-00066 and FD20602500123.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

Due to the circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to procure the production of the Electrical Limiter (5895-01-497-2529), Frequency Converter (5895-01-498- 1190) and Power Supply (6130-01-551-5132) using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.” This action will result in a follow-on Firm Fixed Price (FFP) IDC Requirements type contract. The period of performance to include all deliveries is anticipated to be FY25 - FY29.

This sole source requirement will be procured from the following company:

Raytheon Company 6380 Hollister Avenue Goleta, CA 93117

CAGE: 06129

Large Business

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The purpose of this effort is to procure spares of the B-52H AN/ALQ-172 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)-8 Phased Array Antenna Electrical Limiter and Frequency Converter and LRU-7 Countermeasures Converter Power Supply. The Electrical Limiter NSN is 5895-01-497-2529, the Frequency Converter NSN is 5895-01-498- 1190 and the Power Supply NSN is 6130-01-551-5132.

Delivery requirements are 133 Electrical Limiters, 69 Frequency Converters and 40 Power Supplies. The Ordering Period 1 urgent quantities are 13 Frequency Converters and 25 Electrical Limiters. Early delivery is acceptable.

This effort will be Firm Fixed Price. The total estimated value for this procurement is

The estimated value for the Urgent Ordering Period 1 is . Unit prices were estimated using SPM and these assets will be procured with CSAG dollars.

components of the ALQ-172(V)2 ECM System for the B-52 Aircraft.

The LRU-7 contains the electronic groups required to provide the high band Phased Array Antenna System (PAAS) control processing and interface functions. The countermeasures converter contains Amplitude Direction Finding (ADF), polarization encoding, beam steering and polarization control, quadrant switch assembly control, and digital interface circuits. In addition, the countermeasures converter contains a regulating EMI/EMP protected power supply which converts aircraft ac power into DC voltages for use by both LRU-8 and LRU-9.

The LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna is a key component of the ALQ-172(V)2 ECM System.

The LRU-8 provides the high band PAAS with electronically steerable antenna beam in the azimuth plane and a fixed antenna beam in the elevation plane. The LRU-8 antenna consists of 16 circuit cards, a polarimeter, receive circulator assemblies, a dual circulator driver, electrical limiter, frequency converter, power supply, and IF phase shifter. Due to increased failure rates, beyond economical repair (BER) rates, and increasing age of the items specific to this market research report, procurement of these items is required to support the needs of the fleet.

This effort is posed to procure the LRU-7 power supply, LRU-8 electrical limiters and down converters in order to continue repair and sustainment of the LRU-7 and LRU-8, critical components of the ALQ-172 ECM System working in tandem with the other LRUs in the ALQ- 172 ECM Suite to provide effective electronic warfare capabilities for the B-52 fleet.

There are multiple AMC/AMSC codes for this contract, they are as follows:

3/R The “3” indicates Acquisition directly from the actual manufacturer, whether or not the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. The “R” indicates that the Government does not have adequate data, lacks rights to data, or both, and the part needs to be purchased from the Original Equipment Manufacturer. (NSN 5895-01-498-1190EW)

3/P The “3” indicates Acquisition directly from the actual manufacturer, whether or not the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. The “P” indicates that the rights to use the data needed to purchase this part from additional source(s) are not owned by the Government and cannot be purchased, developed, or otherwise obtained. It is uneconomical to reverse engineer this part. This code is used in situations where the Government has the data but does not own the rights to the data. (NSN 5895-01-497-

2529EW)

3/R The “3” indicates Acquisition directly from the actual manufacturer, whether or not the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. The “B” indicates that this part must be acquired from a manufacturing source(s) specified on a source control or selected item drawing as defined by the current version of DoD-STD-100. Suitable technical data, Government data rights, or manufacturing knowledge are not available to permit acquisition from other sources, nor qualification testing of another part, nor use of a second source part in the intended application. Although, by DoD-STD-100 definition, altered and selected items shall have an adequate technical data package, data review discloses that required data or data rights are not in Government possession and cannot be economically obtained. (NSN 6130-01-551-5132EW)

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

This agency's minimum needs can only be satisfied by the unique supplies available from Raytheon as identified on the design requirements and Source Control Drawings (SCD).

Raytheon possesses unique capabilities demonstrated as follows:

Raytheon, CAGE 24587 is the original designer and developer of the Phased Array Antenna Subsystem (PAAS) that includes the AN/ALQ-172(V2) LRU 7, 8, and 9. The Government did not purchase a full data package for the LRU-7 or its SRUs. Raytheon was asked through email by the Government in February 2024 if they would sell the data for these SRUs and the request was denied due to them wanting to repair these assets for the life of the LRU. The Government’s data is limited to a Source Control Document (SCD) that lists Raytheon as the only approved source of supply. Raytheon, having developed the PAAS, is the only known source with the data, skills, and experience to provide the required support. Qualifying a new source would include new supplier startup, performing qualification, first article testing, acceptance testing and flight test. Since production drawings cannot be furnished, the new supplier would have to reverse engineer the existing ALQ-172 LRU-7 and develop procedures and equipment to test a new ALQ-172 LRU-7. The research provided no additional sources. Market Research has identified Raytheon as the only source with the required capabilities and knowledge to meet the Government’s requirements and delivery schedule. Marker Research also indicates that the current manufacturer within Raytheon is CAGE 06129.

Raytheon’s original part number SCD referenced Cage Code 24587 which was originally Sedco Systems, Inc. but was purchased by Raytheon. The suitable sub part number which is what we are buying has a SCD for the suitable sub part for both the BIT Limiter and Power Supply but not the Down Converter. These suitable sub part SCDs show a Raytheon Cage Code of 49956 which is another Raytheon Cage when the drawing was originally drafted. These drawings were created in the late 90s and early 00s and Raytheon has chosen to propose their production location for these parts under cage 06129.

The LRUs within the ALQ-172 are extremely specific and complex in their design and integration requirements. One major requirement of being successful in the production of the LRU-8 SRUs specific to this market research is having the equipment and expertise to accomplish the build of these assets. The time involved in having another source acquire the equipment, required technical data, and develop the expertise would not be cost effective or feasible to meet the current mission need. The Government does not possess the data, facilities, or equipment to furnish a new source in order to accomplish this requirement.

Accordingly, Raytheon is the only vendor capable of providing the requirements described in Section III above without the United States Air Force (USAF) experiencing substantial delays and work stoppages that will cause these assets to MICAP.

V. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A Sources Sought (SS) / Request for Information (RFI) synopsis was posted to SAM.gov on 30 September 2024 with a response date of 11 October 2024 under Notice ID FD20602400234.

The SS/RFI requested responses from interested vendors that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements for this effort. One response was received from Microwave Applications Group. Their response did not indicate that they had specific experience in the assets being procured from Raytheon. The data required to successfully produce these assets is proprietary to Raytheon.

The requirement will be synopsized in SAM.gov in accordance with FAR 5.201. It is anticipated that sources having an interest in subcontracting may be identified through synopsis. Any source who responds to the Government as a result of this synopsis will be identified to the prime contractor as a potential subcontracting possibility.

VI. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable.

The overall cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable to the Government. In accordance with FAR 15.403-3, the Contracting Officer will require the submission of other than certified cost or pricing data. Price analysis or cost analysis based on “information other than certified cost or pricing data” will be used to examine and evaluate the proposed prices to determine fair and reasonable pricing. Price analysis techniques include comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid for a same or similar item; comparison with published price lists, offered catalog prices and prices obtained through market research for a same or similar item;

comparison of proposed prices with independent Government estimate; or analysis of data other than certified cost or pricing information.

VII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted Nov 27, 2023 to Oct 29, 2024 in accordance with FAR Part

10.001 and 10.002. The Market Research Report was completed on Oct 29, 2024. The market research techniques used are as follows:

As described in Section V above, a SS/RFI was posted to SAM.gov advising industry of the pending acquisition and soliciting inquiries from interested vendors. The SS/RFI was posted on Sep 30, 2024 under Solicitation Number FD20602400234. One response was received from Microwave Applications Group. Their response did not indicate that they had specific experience in the assets being procured from Raytheon. The data required to successfully produce these assets is proprietary to Raytheon.

Two (2) search methods were employed herein. The first method employed was a general search of search terms associated with this effort and is identified below as General Search by Resident

Experts (GSRE). The second method used was a database search of search terms associated with this effort and is identified below as Internet Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS).

(1) General Search by Resident Experts (GSRE):

The Integrated Product Team (IPT) has conducted on-going and continual research into the industry capabilities to support the ALQ-172. Market research efforts consisted of searching current contract databases, on-line databases and other internet sources and discussions with industry representatives and engineers with industry knowledge of the ALQ-172 LRU-8 BIT limiter, down converter and power supply.

A general web search was accomplished to identify potential sources for the work effort, using variations of key terms "ALQ-172", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 BIT limiter", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 down converter", "NSN 5895-01-497-2529 Procurement" and "NSN 5895-01-498-1190 Procurement". Market research web searches of http://www.gsaadvantage.gov, http://www.testmart.com, and http://www.thomasnet.com resulted in no additional identified potential sources of procurement.

The query key terms, in order, was "ALQ-172", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 BIT limiter", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 down converter", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 power supply", "NSN 5895-01-497-2529 Procurement" and "NSN 5895-01-498-1190 Procurement".

The web page https://sam.gov/ (formerly FBO [Federal Business Opportunities]) identified 3 soliciations/pre-soliciations in response to the search terms stated. The results reviewed did not identify any additional sources of procurement.

The google search identified approximately 832,970 total hits in response to the listed search terms. A majority of the hits provided loose or unrelated responses regarding experience with the ALQ-172 system or production of the ALQ-172 LRU-8 SRUs. Many of the search results returned also pointed to existing contracts with L3Harris or Raytheon relating to efforts in support of development and/or sustainment and repair of the ALQ-172 system and associated components. The results reviewed did not identify any additional sources of procurement.

(2) Internet Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS):

An Internet Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) was accomplished in order to meet the FAR prerequisites regarding identification of qualified small businesses that could potentially perform the work effort. [https://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm] The DSBS database search started out with the general key term "ALQ-172" followed by "ALQ-172 LRU-8 Phased Array Antenna", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 BIT limiter", "ALQ-172 LRU-8 down converter", "NSN 5895-01-497-2529 Procurement" and "NSN 5895-01-498-1190 Procurement". There were no filters applied to the NAICS code so that the maximum number of hits would be identified.

A search using the web search tool DSBS was conducted in an effort to locate qualified small business sources that may not have been revealed in the other search method (GSRE). Search outcomes yielded no additional potential sources of procurement.

The Electrical Limiter (5895-01-497-2529) and Frequency Converter (5895-01-498-1190) does not fit the definition of a commercial item as defined in FAR Part 2.101. This item is defined as military unique and is not customarily used by the general public or by non-Governmental entities. The Government requires parts that meet an exact form, fit, and function as determined by the specific mission. There are no aircraft in the commercial market with the same or similar components.

The market research concluded that Raytheon is the only vendor capable of fulfilling the Government’s requirement.

VIII. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

None.

IX. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

See Section V above.

X. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The items being acquired under this contract are vendor items proprietary to the OEM of each respective component under this procurement. The Government does not currently have a complete technical data package for these legacy LRUs. The Government is currently working efforts to redesign the LRUs of the ALQ-172 ECM Suite which will ultimately generate a complete Government-owned Technical Data Package (TDP) and will remove barriers to competition for these LRUs and subcomponents and will enable competitive sourcing and organic repair opportunities for the lifetime of the redesigned LRUs. The redesign effort is anticipated to be completed 4th Quarter of FY2025.

As stated in the prior J&A for contract SPRWA1-15-D-0003, the 408 SCMS does not plan to take action to remove the barriers to competition for this service until the redesign of the ALQ- 172 ECM Suite is complete and the Government owns complete technical data package. Market Research has determined that it is uneconomical. The urgent effort to procure spares is required as a sole source effort to provide stable wartime support for the ALQ-172 Electronic Warfare System. After the urgent requirement is met, a routine PR will go into effect that will provide support of the LRU-8 for four additional years.

The plan to break barriers to competition in the prior J&A was to continue engaging the OEM on selling the TDP to the Government. The plan is still active and once complete the Government will own a complete TDP for these assets. Based on fulfillment of the prior plan, the current J&A does not require higher level approval in accordance with DFARS PGI 206.304(a) (S-70) (ii).

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.