Redacted Sole Source Memo - GATR.pdf

24 March 2025

MEMORANDUM

From:

To:

Subj: SOLE SOURCE MEMORANDUM TO NORTHROP GRUMMAN FOR THE ACQUISITION

OF GATR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT FOR THE AN/ASQ-20 SONAR SYSTEM

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Limited Source Justification.”

This is a sole source justification. Contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), 110 Vernon Avenue, Panama City, FL 32407-7001 (Contracts Division Code 024).

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

This action will award a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), for the acquisition of continued development of the Generalized Automatic Target Recognition (GATR) software platform. GATR is a real-time and post mission processing architecture and post mission analysis systems.

Contractor support is required to modify the GATR Software Development Kit so that it work seamlessly with the AN/AQS-20 Sonar System.

3. A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs (including the estimated value).

This procurement is for the continued development of the GATR Software Development Kit. The GATR kit will be updated/modified as follows:

. The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel. This memo does not authorize acquisition for other requirements. This acquisition will be conducted using simplified acquisition procedures with a total dollar value above micro-purchase levels, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000.00. All upgrades and modifications will be completed and delivered no later than one (1) year after award of purchase order. This procurement will be funded with 2025 Research and Development, Navy (RDT&E) funds.

4. Identification of the justification rationale and, if applicable, a demonstration of the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service. 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(1), 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B). Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B).

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), This procurement is sole source for the following reasons. The Generalized Automatic Target Recognition (GATR) software platform is a proprietary software platform developed exclusively by Northrop Grumman This requirement is to support the Q20 and can only be provided by Northrop Grumman as the sole developer, maintainer, and provider of the GATR Software.

As the sole developer and provider of the GATR software, Northrop Grumman is the only company with the in-house resident knowledge of the source code, message definitions, tools, libraries, and documentation to make the required software changes to upgrade the AN/AQS20 performance and operability.

In summary, GATR is a proprietary software or specifically a closed-source software owned by Northrop Grumman. Due to the proprietary nature of the software, no other company can receive the a specific company or organization, restricting users from accessing, modifying, or redistributing the underlying code, which is kept confidential. No other contractor will be able to duplicate the knowledge and processes.

As such, the Government does not expect significant savings through competition and does expect significant and unacceptable delays that will negatively impact this requirement. Therefore, it is in the Governments’ best interest to award on a sole source basis to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.

5. A determination by the ordering activity contracting officer that the order represents the best value consistent with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Contracting Officer has determined that the order represents the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative (considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs.

6. A description of the market research conducted among schedule holders and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

For the reasons specified in paragraph 4 above, Northrop Grumman is the only company that can meet the Government’s needs. Additionally, this requirement will be synopsized on the Government point of entry website SAM.gov website per FAR Part 5.2.

7. Any other facts supporting the justification.

None

8. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

As stated in paragraph 4 above, only Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation can satisfy Government requirements.

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