Redacted UX-24 LMADIS JA Offshore.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

LAKEHURST, NJ

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, NJ.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This Justification & Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a firm fixed price contract for the procurement of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Fixed Wing Aircrafts on a sole source basis to OffShore Aviation Group to be used for Counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) testing. The period of performance for the base period is anticipated to be thirty (30) days. The option period is anticipated to be exercised within one year of the contract award date.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

NAWCAD Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) been tasked by UX-24 to procure COTS Fixed Wing Aircrafts to support C-UAS testing. The requirement includes OA-2F Harpy; OA-2G Manticore; OA-2E Phoenix fixed wing aircraft; OA-2D Gryphon Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Electric aircraft, fully built; and various UAV components, subcomponents, and assemblies.

The OA-2F Harpy and OA-2G Manticore have the capability of carrying the required test equipment for over 4.5 hours and 6 hours respectively of flight time. The OA-2E fixed wing aircraft meets the Government’s requirement with take-off and land capability on unimproved runways and has a range of over 60 miles.

The OA-2D Gryphon is a full electric VTOL with a wingspan of 3500mm. The airframe is made of full carbon fiber which is lighter and more durable than other airframes that made of fiberglass or composite materials. The OA-2D Gryphon can carry a 12lbs payload and fly for over 3.5 hrs. The OA-2D meets the Government’s requirement with take-off and land capability on unimproved runways, a range of over 25 miles and payload capacity over 10lbs.

The OA-2E Phoenix The Offshore Aviation OA-2E Phoenix is an expendable gas powered Group II UAS. The wingspan is 12 feet, which gives the Phoenix the capability to carry 6 hours of fuel while carrying 17.6 lbs of payload. The OA-2E Phoenix meets the Government’s requirement with take-off and land capability on unimproved runways, a range of over 60 miles and payload capacity over 15lbs.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

These aircraft from OffShore Aviation Group are the only aircraft that satisfy the Government’s requirement for weight, power, payload capability, and flying time. These particular aircrafts will undergo classified modifications for unique Counter UAS testing. The customer has been in contact with the manufacturer and they have the ability to custom build the aircraft to their exact specifications for testing with classified data. No other production aircraft can meet the Government’s requirements for this test.

Should the Government elect to procure another Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Government would incur irrecoverable duplication of costs as the range and required testing equipment has already been approved. This test is a collaborative event and other DoD agencies have procured and manufactured parts specific to the testing of these UAVs. Without the successful procurement of the specified aircraft the test event, will be cancelled as these are the only UAVs that can be used for the test. The experiment and system under test is scheduled and any deviation to that would affect the ability to deliver the classified experiment results and system to the fleet on schedule. The inability to deliver timely results could leave a vulnerability undetected. The Counter UAS test was developed around these UAV models.

UX-24 obtained a COTS UAV waiver from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy approving the procurement of these aircraft.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offertory as Practicable.

NAWCAD WOLF conducted market research via FPDS, SBA, and Google to identify commercially available solutions for a fixed wing aircraft. Multiple solutions were identified and reviewed to determine each solutions ability to meet the requirements for the Counter UAS test; however, none met the required specifications for this particular Counter UAS test. Of the manufacturers identified in the market research, OffShore Aviation Group provides a solution which meets the requirements. The OA-2F, OA-2G, OA-2E, and OA-2D from OffShore Aviation Group is the only commercially available UAV that meets the Government’s requirements and associated Radio Frequency (RF) links. The UAVs will be modified by the Government after purchase to a classified setting.

A Request for Information was posted on the Beta System for Award Management website on 14 May 2020 and closed on 20 May 2020. One response was recieved. Per the market research conducted, OffShore Aviation Group was identified as the only manufacturer found that provides the UX-24 solution that meets the requirements of the Government.

A pre-solicitation synopsis was posted on 21 May 2020 and closed on 05 June 2020. No responses were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer shall ensure that the price negotiated for this acquisition is fair and reasonable In Accordance With (IAW) FAR 15.4. The Contractor will submit a formal price proposal with other than certified cost or pricing data and sufficient information to support the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. The proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical personnel at NAWCAD WOLF, UX-24, and the Contract Specialist. The Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis IAW FAR 15.404-1, including a review of historical data and commercial price lists, as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in paragraph 5, at this time, OffShore Aviation Group is the only vendor with the commercially available UAVs that meets the Government’s requirements and associated RF links. NAWCAD WOLF will continue to monitor the market for technological advances that may drive changes to the system design, and potentially increase competition. If a candidate emerges during the solicitation phase, other manufacturers can be considered and evaluated, however, they must comply with all form-fit-function standards detailed within the Program of Record accreditation.

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