JPADS_Limited_Source_Justification_signed_copy.pdf

Limited-Sources Justification United States Department of Agriculture

FAR 6.303-2(b)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Justification for other than full and open competition.”

U. S. Forest Service, Washington Office, Incident Support Branch and National Technology and Development Program in Missoula, Montana.

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

United States Forest Service (USFS) Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) would like to procure High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) systems that can perform some or all of the core tasks and missions associated with cargo delivery by the USFS Smokejumpers. One of these missions is the re-supply of firefighters in remote locations, under low-visibility conditions (smoke, night, etc.). In those situations, firefighters are operating in areas requiring an autonomously guided aerial delivery system that can deliver critical supplies and equipment when precision and standoff are required due to ground threat, terrain, or winds. HAHO re-supply systems allow aircraft to operate above and offset from problem terrain or decreased visibility.

This request describes the USFS Joint Precision Air Drop System Ultra-Light Weight (JPADS-ULW) program/acquisition approach. As a cost saving measure, only Autonomous Guided Units (AGU) would be purchased to interface with government-furnished property to complete the JPADS systems.

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

Autonomous Guided Units (AGU) and supporting equipment are estimated to cost $114,000 for the base year. The resulting award will be valid from the date of award for five (5) years. The option to purchase additional AGU’s and support equipment will be feasible as funding becomes available.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 6.302-1(ii)

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The Smokejumpers currently utilize three AGUs supported and programmed by Wamore. Wamore Inc.

produces the requirements that meet the Smokejumper mission. Wamore will diagnose computer settings as well as customize the program for added performance. Wamore has developed flight settings to accommodate the PD CR360 which is an approved Smokejumper main canopy. Additionally, technical support devices have already been purchased for operating the units in current inventory.

Utilization of currently owned equipment will greatly reduce the cost and lessen the training time associated with guided cargo. Multi-agency missions are foundational to the national Smokejumper program, so consistency in training and operation is paramount to increasing the efficiency of the

JPADS with the Smokejumper’s canopy systems. In order to most efficiently and safely utilize AGU’s it is imperative that the units be identical in their configuration and flight settings.

It is estimated that competition of this contract would cause a mission-critical delay of four to six (4-6) months. It would take an extensive amount of time for another contractor, without Smokejumper system expertise, to fully develop the software and hardware requirements for supporting the Smokejumper’s CR360 canopy system with a JPADS configuration. Ensuring compatibility among components would be a significant challenge and would lead to existing equipment being deemed unusable. This results in increased costs and ineffective missions. Fielding this system is needed by May 2019. Developing software and flight settings with a new contractor would be detrimental to the Smokejumper’s ability to utilize the JPADS program during the upcoming fire season. The break in service would prevent the Smokejumpers from performing precision airdrops of supplies and food to firefighters on the ground during firefighting operations. Resupply operations and associated safety risks could occur due to the JPADS absence from fireline operations.

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

A Request for Information, SN-2018-09, was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on August 7, 2018, with a response date of September 7, 2018, yielding three (3) responses from industry.

Market research was conducted to determine the number of contractors who sell JPADS or AGUs and an approximate price.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

Market research and solicited contractor quotes, reveals that Wamore’s quoted price and delivery schedule is consistent with commercial market prices and has been determined fair and reasonable by the Contracting Officer.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

A Request for Information, SN-2018-09, was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website on August 7, 2018 with a response date of September 7, 2018 yielding three (3) responses from industry.

Market research showed that there are a handful of vendors who supply JPADS. The majority of purchases are made by the U. S. Air Force, Army, and Marines.

The Army provided information regarding an IDIQ contract that is utilized for such purchases.

Instructions to create an Interagency Agreement were provided to the Forest Service. The quote received from the Army was $13,800 for a completely outfitted JPADS system and would require the Army to modify aspects of the product to meet the Smokejumper’s requirement. Length of time for delivery to the Smokejumpers was estimated to be four to six months.

One of the responses from the RFI Airborne Systems was contacted on 4/1/19 for a quote and information. They informed us their units currently contained no CR360 programming and development of flight settings for that canopy would be an additional cost. Concerns were also expressed as to whether or not the units would be compatible with current inventory with regards to software, communications links, and deployment systems. A quote was never provided, only an informational sheet which supported the discussion of there not being any CR360 programming currently provided.

IDIS responded to the RFI but doesn’t provide any manufacturing of AGUs. They proposed a training facility and program to utilize JPADS. This is not applicable to the needs of the Smokejumper program currently.

STARA responded however their units only have a payload capacity up to 250 lbs. and 500 is the desired capacity for the Smokejumpers. Additionally they provided no information on the ability to program CR360s.

There are no current contracts on the Federal Supply Schedule.

9. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

In order to satisfy the requests of logistical missions supporting wildland fires it is imperative to have the flexibility to adapt equipment to best suit the situation. The addition of new technology that interfaces with existing equipment will make the missions safer and more efficient/cost effective.

i. Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available.

Three (3) potential procurement strategies to satisfy the requirement were analyzed. One (1) strategy is a sole source award to Wamore; second, is posting a solicitation for other than full and open competition on the Federal Business Opportunities website; and third, is to create a task order using a current U. S. Army contract (at a price increase and delay in delivery).

ii. When 6.302-1 is cited for follow-on acquisitions as described in 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii), an estimate of the cost to the Government that would be duplicated and how the estimate was derived.

Technological advances, over a five year period, warrant a prudent buyer’s ability to change or update the requirements for future JPADS purchases. Working with a single contractor would ensure compatibility with the older and newer models.

The Smokejumpers current inventory of CR360 parachutes only require the AGU to become a complete JPADS system. Purchasing complete JPADS units would duplicate the cost of the parachutes.

Smokejumpers are able to manufacture supporting equipment to complete the deployment systems of the JPADs. Doing so will be a substantial cost savings and provide increased awareness of the components for future repair needs.

A BPA is being requested in order to meet the needs of a dynamic operating environment in which the mission and technology change constantly.

5. Recommended source.

List proposed source or sources, and include any sources, that expressed an interest in the acquisition.

Company: Wamore, Inc.

Company Address: 1907 W. Parkside Lane Phoenix AZ 85027

Company Point of Contact and Phone Number: Robert Moore - 623 582 8448 Ext. 308

Certifications & Approval

Supporting data which form the basis for and included in this justification are certified accurate and complete.

Justin Gilman Smokejumper Equipment Specialist

The information contained in this Limited Sources Justification is certified accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Kellen Logan Contracting Officer

KELLEN

LOGAN

Digitally signed by KELLEN

LOGAN

Date: 2019.04.29 13:59:34 -06'00'

04/29/2019