JA_SPRDL1-18-R-0054_Redacted.pdf

J&A SPRDL1-18-R-0054

In total, reverse engineering and qualification testing to include material test, form, fit, and function test, performance test, and durability testing would require at least sixteen (16) months and an estimated total of $1,050,000.00 for both reverse engineering and testing.

This expense could not be recouped through subsequent competition. The efforts involved on the contract of the sole source components does not justify the development and production tooling costs for a company to qualify as a second source. To neglect qualification testing would be a high risk as premature failures of this item in the field could result in mission failure which could jeopardize the Army’s mission in a potentially adverse operational environment. Funds are not available at this time for either procuring the proprietary data or reverse engineering the item to create a competitive TDP or qualification testing for a new source.

The total lead time of up to 16 months for reverse engineering and qualification testing for an additional approved source of the Front Axle Assembly is unacceptable in support of the mission, and will greatly reduce readiness for the current fleet in need of these transmissions.

Reverse engineering TDP development is not feasible due to requirements of the component’s material properties and part tolerances which cannot not be readily or easily identified. Because of the uncertain definition of requirements, an increased mission and readiness risk is possible. Issues with the Front Axle Assembly would leave the PLS vehicles incapable of completing its mission.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition: The Government does not own a fully detailed TDP required to manufacture this item. There are no vendors in the process of being qualified at this time, nor will be prior to the contract award due to funding constraints. Additionally, there are no planned efforts to qualify additional sources due to the fact that that there is no technical data available to produce a competitive TDP, nor are there any funds available to conduct the extensive (costly and time consuming) qualification testing requirements. Additional interested contractors can seek qualification through the Source Approval Program with the Competition Management Office. Testing and validation of any claims would need to be verified before approval is granted. At this time, there are no known contractors seeking approval through the CMO. Currently, there has not been any expressed interest by any known vendor(s) to become a qualified source(s) to produce this item. Therefore, this action will only be limited to the approved sources outlined in Section 2 of this document, the owners of the intellectual property and manufacturers of this item.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: There are no contractors currently in the process of being qualified as an alternate source of supply for this item. At this time, there are no current or planned efforts to qualify additional sources due to the fact that the Government does not possess a full-defined and validate technical data package for this item. The approved sources of supply own the detailed technical data regarding this item. Any

J&A SPRDL1-18-R-0054

vendor that believes they can provide this item, while meeting the same requirements, should seek qualification as a secondary source through the Competition Management Office Source Approval Program. Reverse engineering, testing, and all other efforts to become a secondary approved source at their own expense.

8. Market Research: The government has no funding to qualify additional sources, and thus any qualification would be done at contractor’s expense. Additional contractors can seek qualification through the Source Approval Program with the Competition Management Office. Given that no detailed technical data is available for the Front Axle Assembly (NSN: 2530-01-354-9426), market research results are very limited. This is mainly based on the fact that some type of information is required prior to conducting market research. For example, market research can be conducted on this Front Axle Assembly, but without having any technical specifications, the range of information on this component will be vast, thus not useful. Hence, it is imperative that some technical information be available in order to conduct valuable market research. A general internet search was conducted by the Project Engineer during October of 2017. However, the information found was too generic due to the rationale provided above. The results of this generic search were that no other sources exist or are anticipated to become available to satisfy the Government’s requirement.

The part is listed in PLS TM 9-2320-385-24P. The Front Axle Assembly is not broken out into its down parts, so no other information on it is available other than a photo. The technical manual does not provide any pertinent information such as performance specifications, material specifications, dimensions, tolerances, or paint and finish specifications. Without being the intellectual property owner and having the technical data of the entire assembly, a full reverse engineering effort would be needed, hence the reason no other sources are interested in supplying this part at this time.

When and if the technical information for the Front Axle Assembly (NSN: 2530-01-354- 9426) is eventually made available, specific market research can then be conducted and competitive procurement considered.

9. Interested Sources: A Sources Sought Synopsis was posted to FedBizOpps on 10/12/2017. To date, no other sources have expressed interest in providing this item.

Only the approved source owns the most current TDP part iteration (revision level).

Therefore, interested, non-approved sources cannot provide the Government with valid proposals and cannot be considered at this time.

10. Other Facts:

a. Procurement History

1) Contract: W56HZV-05-D-0198, 5 year IDIQ