Single Source Justification FY26 Safeboat Vessel.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

April 2021 Page 1 of 2April 2021 Page 1 of 2

Section A: General Contract Information

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: 449th Air Expeditionary Group

Project/Program Name: 82nd ERQS Safeboat Vessel an Trailer

Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F3N0756117A003

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

This action is a sole source procurement for a SAFE 35' Center Console boat from SAFE Boats International, under simplified acquisition procedures for certain commercial items. The purpose of this acquisition is to meet the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron's (ERS) mission-critical requirement of having an operational dive boat fitted with mandatory rescue equipment. This boat will support the squadron’s maritime surface and sub-surface operations, ensuring compliance with mission-specific requirements.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

The 82nd ERQS operates in a high-threat, maritime contingency environment in East Africa, executing time-critical, life-saving personnel recovery operations. To successfully perform this mission without introducing unacceptable risk to isolated personnel and aircrew, the unit requires a rescue vessel with highly specific, non-standard capabilities. Based on market research, only the proposed manufacturer Safe Boats International is capable of providing a vessel that satisfies the Government's unique operational requirements for the following critical reasons:

1. Transportability and Dimensional Limitations: The vessel's exact dimensions (37'-4" Length, 10'-0" Width, 11'-6" Height) and dry weight of 12,630 lbs are critical to ensure the boat can be rapidly deployed via U.S. Air Force strategic airlift (C-17 Globemaster III or C-5 Super Galaxy) directly into theater, and successfully transported over the restricted road infrastructure surrounding Camp Lemonnier using the 16000XL trailer.

2. Shallow Water Draft and High-Speed Requirements: The Horn of Africa coastline is characterized by shallow reefs and shoals.

The maximum 20-inch draft combined with a 60-knot top speed is a unique engineering configuration. It allows rescue operators to navigate shallow, uncharted coastal waters while maintaining the high-speed transit capability necessary to reach downed pilots or isolated personnel within the critical "golden hour" of survival.

3. Tactical Communications Integration: The vessel must utilize the integrated L3 Harris AN/PRC-167 tactical communication system. This specific system is mandatory to maintain secure, encrypted, line-of-sight and satellite communications with joint rescue aircraft (e.g., HC-130J, HH-60W) and the Joint Personnel Recovery Center (JPRC). Alternative commercial vessels utilizing standard civilian marine radios cannot support the secure military networks required for contingency operations.

4. Specialized Personnel Recovery Hull Design: The "Extended Personnel Recovery Cutout" and "Removable Stokes Litter Shock- Mitigating Attachment Kit" are proprietary, integrated safety features. They are designed specifically to recover unresponsive or injured personnel directly from the water onto a stabilized, shock-absorbing platform, minimizing the risk of spinal or secondary injuries during high-seas operations. No other standard commercial boat builder offers this specific, field-tested rescue cutout and litter configuration out-of-the-box.

5. Training and Qualifications Standardization: Unit operators and crew members are already uniquely trained and qualified specifically on SAFE Boats brand vessels. Operators undergo extensive training to safely operate, maneuver, and conduct high-risk tactical rescue operations from SAFE Boats during their formal qualification pipelines. Procuring an alternative or non-standard vessel platform would require extensive, time-consuming retraining and requalification of personnel, delaying operational readiness and posing direct safety risks to rescue operators and recovered personnel in an active contingency environment.

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

April 2021 Page 2 of 2

Soliciting from any other source would result in a failure to meet the minimum tactical mission requirements, compromise secure theater communications, and introduce unacceptable delays and safety risks to rescue operators and recovered personnel.

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Market research was conducted through online reviews of PALFINGER MARINE and Sea Ark to evaluate their available products and capabilities. The information gathered provided insight into the services and equipment each company offers. Based on the review of their specifications and capabilities, it was determined that their products do not meet the operational requirements necessary to support the mission, resulting in the decision not to pursue these vendors.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards

A Notice of Intent to award a Single Source to SafeBoat was published on sam.gov seeking capability statements for future solicitations for small water craft. The 449th AEG will continue to perform market surveillance by reviewing defense industry symposia, monitoring the federal contracting marketplace, and engaging with joint service partners (such as the U.S. Navy and U.S. Special Operations Command) to determine if other boat manufacturers develop comparable, air-transportable, combat-rescue vessels.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

23-Jul-2026

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer

TSgt Kevin L. Pillow, Contracting Officer

Signature of Contracting Officer

PILLOW.KEVIN.LORENZO.JR.

1456188555

Digitally signed by

PILLOW.KEVIN.LORENZO.JR.1456188555

Date: 2026.07.23 00:06:24 +03'00'