Sole Source BRAND NAME Justification Sky Range Transmitters_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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NOTE: If a Justification was approved for the preceding acquisition, a copy of the approved Justification for the predecessor action must be included in the staff package for approval of the instant Justification. This applies to Justification staff packages that are submitted for review and approval at a level above the contracting officer. The predecessor Justification will be used as a reference document by the approving official.

Is this a new or amended J&A Document? New Amended ( Prior to Award Only! )

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

Funding level for this acquisition:

Contracting Activity:

Purchase Request / Local ID Number:

Program / Project (and PE, if applicable):

Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): Other

Authority: AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304a, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

Estimated Contract Cost (including options): Justification Type: Class Individual

COORDINATION ( AFFARS 5306.304(a))

Date

15 Jun 2021

Project Lead / Program Mgr / Requiring Activity

Signature

Date Contracting Officer

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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I. Contracting Activity.

The contracting organization that is responsible for the proposed contract action is the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Directorate of Contracting, Enterprise Acquisition Division , 5 South Wolfe Avenue, Edwards AFB CA 93524-1185. The contracting officer for this acquisition is . The purchase request number is

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

These highly specialized components are required to support the High Speed Systems Test (HSST) program via the Universal Beamforming Telemetry (UBT) Project. The UBT project will demonstrate enhanced range capabilities using to track and re-radiate telemetry transmissions from hypersonic vehicles. This will eliminate the need for expensive sea-based (i.e., ships) tracking systems throughout the South Pacific. It is paramount these units be inter-operable with existing system components. In addition, these units must be compatible with units already on-hand and currently used by the system developer (CDSI Inc.).

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

Requirements for the Quasonix Telemetry Transmitter, QSX-VQR2-1110-10-04-07BK-VP are as follows:

- Variable Rate, auto-scaling of deviation and filter BW

- 1435.5 MHz to 1534.5 MHz

1750.0 MHz to 1855.0 MHz

2200.5 MHz to 2300.5 MHz

2300.5 MHz to 2394.5 MHz

4400.0 MHz to 4950.0 MHz

5091.0 MHz to 5150.0 MHz

Tuning in 0.5 MHz steps

RS-422 clock and data interface, 120 ohms differential

- RS-232 serial control interface, 57,600 baud rate

- ARTM Tier 0 (PCM/FM), 0.05 - 14 Mbps

- ARTM Tier I (SOQPSK-TG), 0.1 - 28 Mbps

- ARTM Tier II (Multi-h CPM), 0.1 - 28 Mbps

- RF Output: 10 Watts (+40 dBm minimum)

- Pin Out Configuration

- Package: 2.0" x 3.0" x 1.15" = 6.90 inches3

- Primary Connector: Female MDM-15

- RF Output Connector: SMA Female

- Input Power: On Primary

- Browser-based GUI

Requirements for the rack mount chassis, QSX-4TX2U-EN are as follows:

- 110 VAC power connection

- RJ-45 Ethernet connector

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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- isolated BNC connectors for clock

- isolated BNC connectors for data

- N connectors for RF output

- Web interface

- SSH command line

- RESTful API

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

The statutory authority permitting this action is 10 USC 2304(c)(1) which specifies that, “the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or service will satisfy the needs of the agency” as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.302-1(a) (2)(iii)(A).

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

These highly specialized components are required to support the High Speed Systems Test (HSST) program via the Telemetry (UBT) Project. The UBT project will demonstrate enhanced range capabilities using to track and re-radiate telemetry transmissions from hypersonic vehicles. This will eliminate the need for expensive sea-based (i.e., ships) tracking systems throughout the South Pacific. It is paramount that the Airborne Telemetry Receivers be inter-operable with existing system components. In addition, these units must be compatible with units already on-hand and currently used by the system developer (CDSI Inc.).

The technical data and specifications of the VQR2 transmitters and transmitter chassis were designed and developed by Quasonix. These data and specifications are proprietary to the company, along with fit and form compatability.

Having a different vendor develop a new or modify an existing airborne telemetry transmitter and chassis would be cost prohibitive and not meet the Government's schedule. To redirect to a different source would require: (1) new electrical designs/drawings, (2) new mechanical designs/drawings, (3) re-fabrication and rewiring of the TM recording system enclosure, and (4) system control software changes, which would result in a substantial duplication of costs (at least $300K) and schedule impacts (at least 3 months) that the government does not expect to recover through competition.

Schedule impact costs:

Having a different vendor modify an existing or develop a new airborne transmitter and transmitter chassis to meet the Government's requirements would delay the schedule at least months, but more likely 24-36 months, plus an additional 3 months for (1) new electrical designs/drawings, (2) new mechanical designs/drawings, (3) re-fabrication and rewiring of the TM recording system enclosure, and (4) system control software changes. As this is a new capability to support the accelerated Hypersonic testing schedule with a more cost effective capability, a delay preventing mission support will cost the Government millions of dollars per missed mission in unrealized savings.

Per the Quasonix Field Service Representative and a Quasonix web page search, there are no other sources of supply for Quasonix components. The components and source code are proprietary in nature with no re-sell or pass through opportunities. Quasonix remains the only source of supply for these products.

However, the Buyer received confirmation that the units can be provided by authorized resellers per the Quasonics Representative. Therefore, the acquisition subject to be posted as a brand name.

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VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

A vendor survey was performed via INTERNET research, technical discussions with subject matter experts and vendor customers, direct communication with vendors and reviewing trade journals. Three (3) sources were identified, Quasonix LLC, Teletronics Technology Corp (TCC) Curtiss-Wright and L3 Harris Technologies, that can support airborne telemetry products. Out of the three (3) sources, only one (1) vendor meet the Government's specification and integration/interoperability requirements. Having a vendor develop a new or modify an existing airborne telemetry transmitter and chassis would be cost prohibitive and not meet the Government's schedule. The current prototype system utilizes Quasonix hardware, the additional cost and schedule impacts of software development changes to the prototype system to support a different transmitter(s), receiver(s) and logger(s) would be cost and schedule prohibited.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The acquisition will be posted on Beta.Sam.gov for pricing offered by the manufacturer and authorized resellers, in request for competitive pricing. However, these items are not currently available on GSA.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

A vendor survey was performed via INTERNET research, technical discussions with subject matter experts and vendor customers, direct communication with vendors and reviewing trade journals. Three (3) sources were identified;

Quasonix, TTC Curtiss-Wright, and L3 Harris Technologies. Out of the three (3) sources, only one (1) vendor is able to meet the Government's specification and integration/interoperability requirements. TTC Curtiss-Wright and L3 Harris do not provide tri-band transmitters with the specified frequencies in the L, S, and C bands. TTC Curtiss-Wright and L3 Harris, also do not interface with the Quasonix hardware currently being utilized. If Quasonix hardware is not utilized, hundreds of man hours and procurement of new additional equipment would need to be done adding significant costs. However, there are authorized resellers able to provide pricing for the requirement.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The line items are available through authorized resellers, whom can provide pricing for the requirement.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

None.

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

Quasonix components are specialized equipment and have been integrated into current aircraft system configuration;

the systems' functionality has been verified. The technical data and specifications of the transmitter/chassis and currently receivers placed on the are proprietary to Quasonix. The aircraft currently has a closed architecture to ensure effective configuration management, systems engineering, design engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance. It is the means by which the Government verifies its design solutions. The functional aspect of configuration verification encompasses all of the test and demonstrations performed to meet the quality assurance sections of the applicable system performance specifications.

Configuration management allows EAFB CTFs to apply technical and administrative direction, surveillance to identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of the system configuration, control changes to those characteristics, record and report change processing and implementation status, and verify compliance with specified requirements.

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XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

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Specific Guidance for Completing this Template

I. Contracting Activity. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(1))

Fully identify the contracting agency and organizational activity responsible for the proposed contracting action.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(2))

State whether the action will be awarded as a new contract or by modification to an existing contract (identify contract number) and identify the type contract planned (FAR 12.207 and DFARS 212.207).

An individual Justification cannot be used to support more than one contract irrespective of the quantities or the dollar value stated therein. If a proposed contract will contain unpriced options (including NTE prices), those options must be supported by a separate Justification prior to option exercise or the Justification supporting the basic contract must be a Class Justification. For Class Justification situations (covers more than one contract) where the number of contracts in the class can be identified: (1) Provide a brief general description of actions; (2) identify the supplies and services that are being acquired; and (3) for each contract in the class identify the contractor, estimated value, type of contract and rationale for contract length, and estimated award date. Where the same information applies to more than one contract within the class, it need only be stated one time.

III. Description of the supplies/services required to meet agency needs. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(3))

Specifically describe the supplies and/or services to be acquired, the total estimated value of the acquisition - including options (provide cost estimate by year and, for class Justifications, by contract action), and the estimated delivery dates/periods of performance If commodities are being procured, provide quantities. All contract line items (CLIN) -- e.g., technical data, support equipment, support services, etc. -- should be listed. If all of the ancillary requirements associated with a particular item are not specifically described in the Justifications, those ancillary requirements cannot be included in the resulting contract and would require a second Justification. Also, state the type of appropriation (e.g., 3010, 3400) that will be used to fund each requirement listed.

If approval for more than one fiscal year requirement is needed, give the rationale for this request. Generally, the scope of these actions is limited to current requirements only, so that actions may be taken to facilitate competition for out-year requirements.

In some cases, there are no feasible actions that could develop future competition, and it is reasonable to seek approval for more than one fiscal year's requirements.

For ID/IQ or requirements contracts, use the maximum dollar value of the total estimated orders as the estimated Justification dollar value.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(4))

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2302b, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901)

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 2304a, Special Emergency Procurement Authority (41 U.S.C. 1903)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority). (FAR 6.303-2(b)(5))

Provide, in narrative form, a detailed explanation supporting and clearly relating to the conditions described by the FAR for using the particular authority cited. This section is normally the most detailed part of the justification as the essence of the justification is presented here. For acquisitions that include both supplies and services, separately justify the use of the authority for the services and supplies.

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Contracting without providing for full and open competition shall not be justified on the basis of lack of advance planning by the requiring activity or concerns related to the amount of funds available (e.g., funds will expire) (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(4)).

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

(FAR 6.303-2(b)(6))

Describe all efforts taken (or to be to be taken) to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable under the circumstances. Although Market Research is covered in Section VIII, the information in Section VI should correlate with the Market Research described in Section VI. The following issues should be addressed in this paragraph:

Sources Sought Synopsis (used as part of market research). If a sources sought synopsis was issued, state the date the synopsis was issued and a brief description of its content. If any responses were received, describe in detail the results of the screening process and the rationale for determining the unacceptability of any synopsis respondents. Reference FAR 13.105, Synopsis and Posting Requirements.

Other Actions. In this paragraph, discuss any other actions taken or planned to facilitate competition for this acquisition. The discussion should include actions tried or considered even if the actions were unsuccessful. If the efforts were unsuccessful, so state and describe why.

Qualifying Country Sources. If qualifying country sources have expressed interest, but are to be excluded, provide supporting rationale.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(7))

Include a statement by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost will be considered fair and reasonable and provide the basis for this determination. The steps that will be taken to ensure the final contract price will be fair and reasonable are also described here. Describe the extent of cost or price analysis anticipated including the requirements for certified cost or pricing data, technical evaluations, and audits.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(8))

Generally, some form of market research should be conducted. Discuss any market research conducted pursuant to FAR Part 10 and describe results of that research. Market research is any effort undertaken to determine if sources capable of satisfying the agency's requirements exist and to determine if commercial items or non-developmental items are either available or can be modified so that they will satisfy the agency's needs. Market research should be focused not only on identifying alternate sources, but also on alternate equipment or substitutes that might fulfill the Government needs with only minor modification.

Regardless of the approach used, the results should provide a high level of confidence that no other qualified sources exist.

When other exceptions from the requirement to obtain full and open competition are relied upon, the market research might be limited to an examination of the acquisition history and experience with the marketplace under previous acquisitions for the same or similar items.

If no market research was conducted, so state and provide the rationale.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)(i))

Provide any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, including an explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, statements of objectives, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed, are not being developed, are not being used, or are not available.

X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(10))

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If a sources sought synopsis was done and all interested sources are included in Section VI, it is acceptable to state, “See Section VI above.”

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(11))

Describe any actions taken or to be taken to foster competition for future acquisitions of the supplies or services being acquired.

Describe potential actions that could be taken to remove the barriers to competition that have been identified in the justification and include a milestone schedule, where available, for accomplishing these actions. For example, if a follow-on competitive acquisition is planned, so state and provide the planned award date, or state that the Government will attempt to acquire rights in technical data and computer software sufficient to compete follow-on acquisitions as a priced option in the contract action that is the subject of this Justification, or (if applicable) state how the Government intends to challenge nonconforming markings on technical data and computer software delivered to it under previous contracts so those markings can be removed in order that the technical data and computer software may be used in support of a follow-on competitive acquisition, or describe plans to qualify additional sources.

Address efforts to ensure competition for future spare parts and maintenance in support of systems or equipment covered by the justification, even when these acquisitions will be accomplished by other organizations. Include a discussion on available breakout data.

If no actions are planned, so state and provide reasons. If approval is sought for more than one year, explain why a sole source effort is required for the planned time duration.

For a non-competitive follow-on acquisition to a previous award for the same supply or service supported by a Justification citing the same authority, include a discussion of the actions planned to overcome barriers to competition established in the previous justification, the status of those actions, and the results of those actions. The approval authority shall determine whether the planned actions were completed. If the planned actions were not completed, the justification for the follow-on acquisition shall be approved by the approval authority one-level above the approval authority for the previous justification (see FAR 13.501(a)(2)). If the previous justification was approved by the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE), the approval remains at the SPE level.

[DFARS 213.501(a) and DFARS PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)(ii)]

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer. (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12))

As evidenced by his/her signature, the contracting officer has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel. (FAR 6.303-2(c))

As evidenced by their signatures, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.