SIMNET JA Redacted 25 July 2025.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CUI

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0002 Off-Site Labor 3400/CPFF $ $ $ $ $ $

0003 Materials 3400/CPFF $ $ $ $ $ $

0004 Tech 3010/FFP $ $ $ $ $ $

Refresh/Upgrades

0005 Travel 3400/CRNF $ $ $ $ $ $

0006 *Data

FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29

Totals by FY: $ $ $ $ $

* Data deliverables are not separately priced (NSP). The contract data requirement list (CDRL) includes the following CDRL deliverables. This requirement will not require deliverables for TDPs and/or Intellectual Property.

A001 DD1423 Management Plan A002-E002 Government Property (GP) Inventory Report A003-E003 Monthly Status Report A004-E004 Scientific and Technical Reports A005-E005 Meeting Agenda A006-E006 Presentation Material A007-E007 Meeting Minutes A008-E008 Data Accession List (DAL) A009-E009 Counterfeit Prevention Plan A00A-E00A Parts, Material, and processes Management Plan A00B-E00B Technical Report Study A00C-E00C DOD Risk Management Framework Package A00D-E00D Safety Assessment Report (SAR) A00E-E00E Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR) A00F-E00F Accident Incident Report

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

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), the agency's minimum needs can only be satisfied by the unique supplies or services available from NG in support of the EWAISF CEESIM hardware, software, and firmware without the USAF experiencing substantial duplication of cost that could not be expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements. This requirement is for highly specialized equipment and services. The EWAISF is specialized because it must be able to generate threat signals that have characteristics to accurately simulate and meet the fidelity requirements of all EW systems that the EWAISF supports. Within the EWAISF, the majority of constructive M&S is performed with the CEESIMs. The CEESIM has the ability to precisely locate, identify, and defend against virtually all ground-based threats, surface-to-air threats, and air-to-air threats. NG is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the CEESIM hardware, software, and firmware and all technical data is proprietary to NG. NG has the technical data, skill, experience, and knowledge required to provide comprehensive on-site and remote support. In addition, they are uniquely positioned to perform fast

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(Cage: Even if the Government were to procure all the data rights from Northrop Grumman, there would still remain a substantial learning curve before could meet the EWAISF's CEESIMs support standards; therefore, will not be able to meet the current sustainment requirements needed to support the SIMNET test resources.

(Cage: Even if the Government were to procure all the data rights from Northrop Grumman, there would still remain a substantial learning curve before could meet the EWAISF's CEESIMs support standards; therefore, will not be able to meet the current sustainment requirements needed to support the SIMNET test resources.

(Cage Even if the Government were to procure all the data rights from Northrop Grumman, there would still remain a substantial learning curve before could meet the EWAISF's CEESIMs support standards; therefore, will not be able to meet the current sustainment requirements needed to support the SIMNET test resources.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Cage: 1L4J7) Northrop Grumman has been providing CEESIMs to the EWAISF since 1987. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the CEESIM's hardware, software, and firmware; NG Amherst Systems has the proprietary data, tools, historical knowledge of the various software & hardware versions, expertise required for threat emitter generation enabling them to perform rapid off-site repair turnaround and maintain on-site configuration management & support of the SIMNET's large CEESIM threat library/database which uniquely qualifies Northrop Grumman to perform the EWAISF's SIMNET sustainment support services.

(Cage: Even if the Government were to procure all the data rights from Northrop Grumman, there would still remain a substantial learning curve before could meet the EWAISF's CEESIMs support standards; therefore, will not be able to meet the current sustainment requirements needed to support the SIMNET test resources.

NG was determined the only capable vendor because there is no EWAISF SIMNET technical data or proprietary source code to provide to the other respondent.

The requirements 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 15.403-4, the contractor will be required to provide certified cost or pricing data to be used in supporting the Government's evaluation of proposed cost. The proposed skill mixes of labor categories, labor hours, types and quantities of materials, other direct costs and direct and indirect rates will be negotiated by the Government based on recommendations from the Defense Contract Management Agency and expert technical personnel supporting the program. In addition, past actuals will be reviewed and compared to proposed costs.

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 02 May 2024 through 01 Jul 2024 in accordance with FAR 10.001 and

10.002. The Market Research Report was completed on 01 July 2024. Market research techniques used

August 2023 CUI Page 8 of 9 were as follows:

A SS was posted to SAM.gov on 21 May 2024 with response date of 24 June 2024. Eight responses were received to the SS synopsis. The EWAISF T&E IPT evaluated all respondents and NG was determined to be the only capable vendor due to other vendors not having access to the SIMNET data.

Market Research Investigation: An iterative investigative process utilized in order to help keep abreast of all information, data, capabilities, etc. dealing with the procurement and sustainment of the EWAISF

SIMNET.

Surveillance: A continuous effort was upheld to provide awareness of the market or markets related to the mission area or capabilities being acquired. Attendance at the following events:

Industry Day: Dixie Crow Symposium March 25-27, 2024 Northrop Grumman visited the EWAISF and provided a demonstration of their CEESIM software update and Waveform Descriptive Word import capability.

The team conducted a review of several industry-wide searches on the Internet, using keys terms CEESIMS Support and CEESIM Sustainment services. The following Internet sites were used: SAM.gov, Dynamic Small Business Search, (http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm) and Google.com. These searches yielded zero (0) potential small business vendors.

Multiple companies with simulator knowledge were analyzed through the vendor survey. Although these companies had required knowledge to sustain simulator equipment, only NG possessed the necessary technical data to accomplish the required EWAISF SIMNET work effort.

Market research revealed that no vendor, other than NG was found to have the knowledge, experience, and proprietary technical data required to support the EWAISF SIMNET effort.

The market research concluded NG 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 any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The prior J&A did not include a plan to overcome barriers to competition but planned to work with the 402nd Software Maintenance Squadron located at Robins Air Force Base to perform trouble shooting and preventive maintenance services for the CEESIMs. The end goal was to establish organic on-site

August 2023 CUI Page 9 of 9 sustainment through the 402nd to eliminate the need for on-site contractor support. As a result, it was determined the 402nd lacks the expertise needed to fully complete the tasks.

At this time, the Government is actively utilizing the 402nd Software Maintenance Squadron located at Robins Air Force Base to assist with on-site trouble shooting, preventive maintenance services, and shipping and receiving of components for the CEESIMs. This reduces a small percentage of repairs and costs. This work is accomplished through job shadowing with NG on-site technicians which allows the 402d technicians to gain experience and expand their knowledge base. The goal is to continue utilizing organic on-site support to assist with SIMNET sustainment due to the increased number of simulators in the EWAISF.

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.