Redacted_JA_SPRBL118R0012_004.pdf

SOLICITATION: SPRBL1-18-R-0012

The Tactical Quiet Generators (TQGs) are standalone generators for use by the Armed Forces to produce electric power to various maintenance and infrastructure facilities including water purification system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the Battlefield Kitchen, Combat Support Systems (CCS) and various Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) equipment around the world.

They were developed in response to the changing military threats, new strategies, and fiscal constraints, which dictated improved battlefield survivability, enhanced deployment/maintainability and reduced operating and support costs. These military generators use predominantly commercial components, and provide a "Quantum Leap" in performance for the Standard Family of DoD Generators. The TQGs are skid or trailer mounted generator sets, are "single-fuel" compliant (operate on diesel/JP fuels), have radically improved survivability, mobility, reliability and maintainability. Noise has been reduced to 70 dbA or less, quiet enough to reduce detection ranges from over a mile to less than 400 meters. The sets are undetectable from the front and sides by ground or airborne FLIR, and reduced weight and size have been suitable for improving mobility and deployment.

The 3kW TQG is being supported until 2030 when Small Electric Power will replace it.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

5. Reason for Authority Cited:

The only approved manufacturer with the comprehensive knowledge and expertise necessary to produce the required items for this action is Technology Research Corporation (TRC), 5250 140th Ave, N, Clearwater, FL 33760-3728, CAGE Code 60177. The Government does not possess the complete technical data that describes all required form, fit, and function (F3) characteristics of the 60 Hz and 400 Hz Converters. Both converters have an AMC/AMSC code of 3B. The “3” denotes that the item is being acquired for the second or subsequent time, directly from the actual manufacturer, while an AMSC B code is to “be acquired from a manufacturing source(s) specified on a source control or selected item drawing as defined by the current version of DoD-STD-100. The TRC 60 Hz and 400 Hz converters are the only converters that meet specific performance, and interface requirements necessary for the operation of the 3kW TQG set.

Thus, the Government cannot provide prospective offerors all of the required information necessary to manufacture these frequency converters.

TRC is the only manufacturer of the required frequency converters, and possesses the manufacturing data for these frequency converters. TRC is the only source identified on the Source Control Drawing (SCD) for these frequency converters. The Government does not possess technical data (drawings or specifications) that completely define form, fit, and function (F3) of the items being procured. In addition, the form, fit and function is not defined by any nationally recognized industry standard or specification.

Any other source would need to undergo extensive review, testing, incur cost and add at least one year to this acquisition lead-time. It is anticipated that this would result in duplication of costs and corresponding delays that are not anticipated to be recovered through competition. Without the items, the Government would not possess the resources to support maintenance on the 3kW TQG set, which could adversely impact mission capabilities.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

In an effort to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, this action will publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO). The Contacting Officer will post a synopsis to FBO. A Sources Sought Announcement (SSA) was posted in April 2017.

Market research was conducted as described in the market research section of this document. This effort did not yield any additional sources that can meet the Government’s requirements. There is no competition anticipated for this acquisition.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer:

I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for this contract action will be fair and reasonable, based on the use of some combination of cost/price analysis, comparison of proposed prices with an Independent Government Estimate, and an audit by the Defense Contract Management Agency. Certified cost or pricing data will be obtained in accordance with FAR 15.403.

8. Market Research:

The market research that was conducted consisted of searches of the Federal Logistics Information Service (WebFLIS), Haystack, Federal Procurement Data System, i2Log, and review of the previous contracts. The searches of all these databases and previous contracts show procurement of the 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters from only one known source, TRC. The Contracting Officer issued a Market Survey via FBO on April 10, 2018 with a response date of April 19, 2018. The Market Research did not identify any interested parties. The previous Contract Specialist issued a Market Survey on October 2, 2017 with a response date of October 9, 2017, which resulted in no interested parties. The Reference Number Category Code and Reference Number Variation Code (RNCC/RNVC) for TRC is 3/2, the only source with this designation. An RNCC/RNVC of 3/2 means that the identified source is the primary source for acquisition. Thus, TRC is the manufacturer and primary source for both items included on this acquisition.

Technical experts within the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, Product Realization Engineering and Quality Directorates (CERDEC PRD) conducted initial market research by publishing a Source Sought Announcement on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website on March 6, 2017, for 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters (Reference Number: MARKET-SURVEY-6131-1). Three vendors, TRC, Solarpanels4u Inc. and Magnetic Design Labs, Inc. expressed interest in supporting the 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters for the TQG sustainment program by March 24, 2017, the SSA close date.

Neither Solarpanels4u Inc. nor Magnetic Design Labs, Inc. are approved sources for the 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters. The Engineer informed Solar Panels4u and Magnetic Design Labs, Inc. of the Government’s qualification process and that the effort would at the contractor’s expense. Neither party expressed interest in becoming qualified sources for these items. It is further noted that Solar Panels4u’s technology is for a solar panel storage/generator, which is not the same technology as the frequency converter the Government intends to buy.

TRC was the manufacturer of these frequency converters on contracts SPRBL1-12-D- 011, W15P7T-10-D-F005 and W15P7T-04-D-A603, which supported the 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters. Consequently, based on this market research, knowledge of the three interested parties capabilities, and the existence of an incomplete TDP, the technical experts have determined that TRC is the only source that can meet the Government’s requirements.

9. Other Facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

a. Procurement History: TRC was the most recent manufacturer and recipient of contracts for the 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converters. Both items included in this acquisition were purchased on previous acquisitions, SPRBL1-12-D-0011 on April 30, 2012 as spare parts.

Contracts W15P7T-10-D-F005 and W15P7T-04-D-A603 were awarded to TRC in September 2010 and July 2004, respectively. All three previous contract were solicited using Other Than Full and Open Competition.

b. Subcontracting Competition: The Government will seek to maximize subcontracting competition with the inclusion of terms and conditions, which require large business concerns to submit a small businesses subcontracting plan for acquisitions meeting the $700,000 threshold.

10. Interested Sources:

In accordance with FAR 5.201, the solicitation will be synopsized on the FedBizOpps page. Any proposals that are received shall be evaluated. The following contractors expressed interest in this requirement:

Date: _________________________

Procuring Contracting Officer Signature: _ _______

I have reviewed this justification and recommend approval.

Date: _________________________

Competition Advocate Signature: __ _____

( ) Up to $700,000 Contracting Officer ( X ) $700,000 - $13,500,000 Competition Advocate ( ) $13,500,000 - $93,000,000 Head of Contracting Activity ( ) Over $93,000,000 Senior Procurement Executive