FD20601700284_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

This Justification and Approval to request authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition supports requirements generated for the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), 638 Supply Chain Management Group (SCMG), 408 Supply Chain Management Squadron (SCMS)/ GULB.

The contracting office for this requirement is Defense Logistics Agency Aviation - Warner Robins (DLA-WR). The purchase request number supporting this contracting action is FD2060- 17-00284.

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

Due to the circumstances described herein, the activity requests authority to acquire the AN/ALT-16 Antenna listed in this document using Other Than Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This action will result in the award of a new Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This effort will be a five year contract. The initial order will be for development and qualification of three First Articles (FAs), a level three drawing package, and other various data items. The remaining orders will be for production after approval of the FAs. The sole source requirement will be obtained from the following source:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation DBA: Northrop Grumman Technical Services 2340 Dulles Corner Blvd Herndon, VA 20171-3400

CAGE: 5FVX5

Large Business

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE

AGENCY’S NEEDS

This contract will be used to support the AN/ALT-16 Electronic Warfare System on the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) B-52H platform. The AN/ ALT-16(A) transmitters are used to linearly amplify the low level jamming signals generated by the AN/ALQ-122. The AN/ALQ-122 (V) receiver processor system operates in conjunction with the AN/ALT-16(A) transmitting set. These systems are paired together because they are designed to counter early warning and acquisition radars. The AN/ ALQ-122 (V) system automatically searches, acquires and tracks threat signals and generates a narrow band, low duty cycle electronic countermeasure set (ECM) program to deny range and azimuth position to threat radars. The AN/ALT-16(A) may be used in manual mode when theAN/ALQ-122 (V) is turned off. The antennas located at the nose and aft positions on the aircraft are common to both systems and

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS

OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY

CITED ABOVE

This agency’s needs can only be satisfied through the unique ALT-16 antenna that Northrop Grumman Technical Services Inc. produces. Northrop is the OEM for the ALT-16 system and has been the only source of repair for the 58D2098-35 since 2005. They’ve stood up repair and test capability for these antennas and have been inspecting, disassembling, repairing, and testing these antennas since 2005 with positive results. This effort requires extensive electronic warfare knowledge concerning antenna design and engineering expertise related to bandwidth, frequency, and gain due to the complexity of the item and the fact that the Government does not own internal build to print drawings for the item. The only drawings available are source control, dimensional, and specification drawings of the form, fit, and function requirements. A contractor would need to have access to the build to print documentation for the manufacture of the antenna as well as the testing expertise required to confirm functionality as it relates to overall system performance.

Northrop Grumman (NG) was formerly known as Hallicrafters. Hallicrafters originally sub-contracted to Adams-Russell for the development of the 58D2098-35 antenna. Adams-Russell was purchased by Cobham and currently owns the proprietary data necessary for development of the antenna. The needed build-to-print data for the ALT-16 antenna is proprietary and not procurable; Cobham will not sell the data. The Government does not have the details of the assembly, nor possess unlimited data rights or government purpose rights to the contractor’s proprietary technical data package.

Although research has identified Cobham as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for this specific antenna, they will not contract directly with the Government. Communication with the cognizant engineer from Cobham stated in an email dated 16 February 2017, that they prefer to work as a subvendor collaboratively with Northrop; the engineer also indicated that Cobham’s lack of response to the Sources Sought was due to organizational changes taking place within the company and also for that reason prefer an approach through Northrop. Cobham successfully accomplished a similar effort working in concert with Northrop, which is why both Northrop and Cobham would like to pursue the same path for the procurement of the ALT-16 antenna. In addition, Cobham would have to qualify either by the Government or by Northrop due to the length of time that has passed since the initial procurement during the 1960s, whereas Northrop already has an approved acceptance test procedure (ATP). As the OEM, Northrop has the capability and is established to qualify the antenna via system test.

The only viable alternative the government has in production of the ALT-16 antenna is to attempt reverse engineering. There was not a similar antenna to use for reverse engineering comparisons.

However, the government engineer considers the redesign effort for the ALT-16 transmitter line replaceable unit to be somewhat comparable since both are part of the ALT-16 system. The reverse engineering of the ALT-16 antenna would be at least half as difficult as the ALT-16 transmitter redesign. Taking into consideration the engineering difficulties inherit with meeting form, fit, function, and interface requirements for any component in the absence of any data and the specialized engineering and manufacturing expertise required to meet the classified specifications required for the ALT-16 system, the government engineer estimates it would cost approximately to reverse engineer this antenna, manufacture prototypes, and provide a technical data package. Assuming that a reverse engineering effort was successful and competition resulted in a 20% reduction in price, the Government would need to procure 494 units to recoup the expense associated with reverse engineering. This quantity would allow retrofit of the entire B-52 fleet three more times and will not be purchased during the remaining life of the aircraft.

Additionally, through market research, the government received reverse engineering estimates based on generic information for high wattage antennas ranging from approximately -

These preliminary estimates were provided void of any government specifications or sample antenna and require additional investigation before making a reverse engineering decision.

The estimated time to initiate a reverse engineering project, perform a source selection, conduct a first article test on the initial prototypes and perform production activities is estimated to be approximately three years at best. Given the current posture with existing backorders, it is in the best interest of the warfighter to move forward with the sole source IDIQ contract. The government will continue to explore reverse engineering alternatives for future procurements.

As the OEM of the ALT-16 system, Northrop is the only source possessing the specialized capabilities, including the knowledge, experience, engineering personnel, data, and equipment to provide the supplies described in Section III above.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE

SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

This requirement will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website as required by FAR 5.201. Although the Government does not own data to support acquisition of these components from any other source, any source who responds to the Government because of this synopsis will be identified to the prime contractor as a potential source for subcontracting possibilities.

A Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) was released via the FBO website on 27 October 2016. The solicitation number was FD20601700284 and interested parties were afforded fifteen (15) calendar days to provide documentation supporting their company’s capability to meet the requirements for qualification and production of the ALT-16 Antenna requirement. However, there were no responses to the Sources Sought posting; since Northrop is the OEM of record for the system, they were not required to respond. This lack of response from industry further substantiates that Northrop is the only practical source capable of meeting the Government requirement.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE

ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The overall cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable to the Government. In accordance with FAR 15.403-4, the contractor will be required to provide certified cost or pricing data to be used in supporting the Government’s evaluation of the proposed cost. The proposed skill mix of labor, labor hours, types and quantities of material, other direct costs, and direct and indirect rates will be negotiated by the Government based on recommendations from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and expert technical personnel supporting the program. The contract price will be negotiated in accordance with the procedures in FAR Part 15 ensuring the ultimate cost to the Government is fair and reasonable.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE

RESULTS, OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT

CONDUCTED

Market research was completed February 2017 as outlined by FAR 10.002 using the following methods: reviewing industry reports, trends and product developments; discussions with industry representatives; Internet searches; and industry knowledge possessed by the B-52 Electronic Warfare Engineering staff. Engineering is actively engaged in component product sustainment, staying abreast of industry developments by reviewing industry reports, trends and product developments, talking with field personnel, and maintaining an active dialog with the contractors. The team conducted a review of several industry-wide searches on the Internet, using the following ACE recommended component search engines. The key terms used in the search were: ALT-16 Antenna, ALT 16 Antenna, ALT-16 Transmitter Antenna, 5985-00-936- 6924EW, 58D2098-35, 58D2098, NAICS 334511 and antenna (SBA) http://www.aerospace-technology.com/contractors/index.html, http://www.globalspec.com/ProductFinder, http://www.eem.com/ http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm

Research identified Cobham as the OEM for the specific antenna and NGTS as the OEM for the ALT-16 system. Cobham, who purchased the original OEM for the antenna, has the drawings needed for production, will not sell the drawings or data rights to the Government, and, due to organizational changes within the company, prefers the ALT-16 antenna be procured through NGTS. Market research did not identify any other vendors available or capable of supplying the 58D2098-35 antenna for this acquisition. However, three companies were identified that may be capable of reverse engineering the ALT-16 Antenna and require further investigation. Therefore, given the requisite expertise within NGTS with respect to testing and their historical connection and agreement to work with Cobham, the recommendation from the research is to pursue a sole source acquisition strategy with NGTS.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

None.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE

ACQUISITION

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

The government will include a request for Northrop to provide a level III drawing package as part of this acquisition. Additionally, the government will explore reverse engineering alternatives. Either of these actions could provide procurement alternatives with the opportunity for possible cost savings associated with competition for future buys.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

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