Sole Source Justification Letter - 80 FTW Bead Blast Dryer - SIGNED.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

80TH FLYING TRAINING WING

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE TEXAS

CUI

14 August 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR 82 CONS/PKA

FROM: 80 FTW/CoS

SUBJECT: Sole Source Requirements Justification

1. Description of the Supplies/Services: This requirement is for the replacement of Plastic Media Blast (PMB) facility dryer system. This system is needed to remove paint from aircraft for corrosion prevention processes. PMB facility is required per Air Force Instruction to keep aircraft condition for anti-corrosion measures. The dryer system is part of the facility and is necessary to ensure full facility operation and cannot be operated without the dryer system.

2. Efforts to Obtain Competition: Market research was conducted and even though multiple quotes were received, the Keaser Heatless Desiccant Dryer KAD 1550 EC3 is a plug and play system that matches the current configuration of the PMB facility. Other vendors researched will require a full PMB system replacement, not just the dryer system due to compatibility requirements of the systems. Current PMB facility is operating Keaser compressors, breathing air supply compressor and breathing air filter system. Market research conducted highlighted that other Dryer systems would not be compatible and would increase costs to ensure the rest of the components were compatible with new dryer systems from other manufactures. No other vendor was identified that could produce the Keaser Dryer system that would be compatible with the rest of the equipment and more cost effective.

3. Market Research: Market research included reviewing other potential vendors and manufacturers along with quotes for ensuring equipment compatibility for system operation. No other vendor was identified that would be plug and play with current equipment installed and several vendors did not guarantee that once their dryer was installed with other components that more items would have to be replaced to be compatible and fully operational, thus driving cost up beyond the initial quotes. Increased risk of equipment not being fully guaranteed compatible with current system and requirement to replace other equipment would further delay facility operation which is a necessity to keep up with Air Force requirements for aircraft corrosion prevention.

4. Other Factors: Only Keaser solution meets current system configuration and compatibility.

Competing solutions would require system replacements for equipment that is currently serviceable and would drive more system downtime for equipment needed to ensure Air Force instruction requirements are kept.

5. 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. We will pay close attention to system compatibility in the future and try to broaden research to include Universal Systems. Lessons learned with aging systems and limited system compatibility with other products and will ensure a broader system compatibility in the future.

JONATHAN F. KOCH, Lt Col, USAF Chief of Staff, 80th Flying Training Wing

1st Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

The above justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer

2d Ind, 82 CONS/PKA

Section Chief, Base / Specialized Acquisition Team