SSJ BOSS_Redacted.pdf

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

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

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The Contracting Activity is the Operational Contracting Flight, AFTC/PZIOA, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6862. The Procuring Contracting Officer is Ms. Gretchen Tubolino This is a Sole Sources Justification. The Purchase Request number is TBD.

This requirement will provide equipment through a firm-fixed contract with CURTISS-WRIGHT Defense Solutions (CWDS), INC. Period of performance for this contract will be ninety (90) days ARO.

This is a requirement for the Battlefield Operations Support System (BOSS) annual support and upgrades. This contract action is to cover twenty-two (22) currently owned BOSS systems (valued average $10,722.30 each). The warranty for System ID# TCG0904, TCG0905, TCG0906, TCG0991, TCG0992, TCG0993, TCG0995, TCG0996, TCG0997, TCG0998, TCG1147, TCG1156, TCG1157, TCG1158, TCG1159, TCG1160, TCG1161, TCG1162, TCG1163, TCG1166, TCG1243, and TCG1271 expire March 31, 2026. The proposed Gold Product Support Plan will synchronize all systems and provide for product support, extended warranty for hardware and software, and software updates for a one-year period. Period of performance for this contract will be ninety (90) days ARO.

The BOSS provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating and managing test scenarios. This simulator can accurately sensor platforms recreate the multi-TADIL (Tactical Digital Information Link) network traffic representing multiple Command and Control (C²) sensor platforms. Functions are provided for surveillance, command and control, and Electronic Warfare (EW) activities. The simulator contains a flexible test control mechanism and provides operator interaction for a wide variety of tactical transactions. The simulator provides the capability to define multiple discrete test cases that may be assembled to create complex scenarios. TADIL messages may be spawned by the activity of simulated track object or directly scripted via operator dialogs. To facilitate host integration, BOSS may be used as a transaction simulator that can simulate the same interface to which the target platform would connect. This provides an end-to-end capability to verify system operation prior to beginning integration. The simulator has a robust User Interface with scripting, editing, recording, and playback capability.

The 46th Test Squadron (46 TS) and the Datalinks Test Lab (DTL) are involved with testing Link 16, the NATO Tactical Datalink of choice, on a variety of USAF and allied platforms, to include the F-15, F-16, E-3 AWACS, E-8 JSTARS, A-10, and B-2. Link 16 messages provide the pilot with complete situational awareness through cockpit displays of the entire battlespace and enable C² platforms to control that battlespace. Since 2003, the 46 TS has purchased twenty-three

(23) BOSSs, on nine (9) separate Air Force contracts with CWDS. The BOSS test tool has become indispensable for Link 16 integration testing, and with the significant increase in testing at deployed locations over the past twelve (12) months.

FAR 8.405-6 requires an ordering activity to justify its actions when restricting consideration of schedule contractors to fewer than required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), "Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work".

TCG is the only commercial manufacturer of BOSS that can offer support and upgrades. CWDS is a small business and the only manufacturer with the unique qualifications required to meet all the Government's requirements and time frames.

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

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This system is well understood by current personnel and meets all government requirements for Link 16 testing. Because of its varied options and capabilities, there is a significant learning curve for test engineers to master the operation of BOSS. Nevertheless, once mastered, this is the only test tool capable of satisfying all Link 16 testing requirements, particularly while at deployed test locations. There are numerous other data link test tools available within Eglin's DTL, but when a test engineer is testing at a remote site, he needs testing capabilities within a single compact test tool. The BOSS is a highly specialized piece of test equipment designed, developed, and delivered by CWDS to operate with Link 16 terminals to support datalink testing. CWDS has detailed technical knowledge of the BOSS operation and its software and meets all the technical requirements for this acquisition. The 46 TS actively reviews data and catalogs to preclude the necessity for sole source acquisitions. The BOSS, with its associated hardware and software is CWDS proprietary and they are the only manufacturer with the unique qualifications required to support current MIL-STD datalinks testing within the Government's required schedule. CWDS built BOSS and is the only manufacturer that is fully capable of providing timely and proficient support for the BOSS.

46 TS/TGBC believes that award to any other source would also result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Air Force's requirement. TGBC can meet its requirements with the proven product that is currently available. If a competitive procurement were to take place to develop this instrument, the government estimates that two to three years of engineering work would need to be performed as this product is not readily available from any other source. This item is already commercially available and listed on a GSA Schedule contract. Additionally, competing this requirement will cause unacceptable delays due to the test engineers having to learn how to use a new test tool, as the BOSS is and has been the test tool of choice for over ten years in Eglin's DTL. These delays would impact the mission due to the need for this product within ninety (90) days delivery time frame. Any delay in the acquisition process would result in the loss of test capability and would not allow TGBC to perform unique tests that would further improve mission capabilities of the Link 16 weapon system.

There is limited competition and no other supplies or services that will satisfy agency requirements, the use of a limited competition description is essential as this purchase is essential for improving the fidelity of the Datalinks Test Lab at Eglin AFB. Currently, no other vendor has been identified as being interested in manufacturing an item comparable to the one manufactured by CURTISS-WRIGHT DS, INC. Accordingly, CWDS is the only firm capable of providing the item described in Section III without the U. S. Air Force experiencing substantial delays in fulfilling its requirements.

The commercial market was surveyed by both the customer and AFTC/PZIOA. The search revealed that CURTISS-WRIGHT DS, INC. is currently the only company capable of providing this Annual Support Plan for the BOSS system.

The Contracting Officer anticipates the cost to the Government is to be fair and reasonable. The proposal will be evaluated by the Government's technical representative prior to award.

In accordance with FAR Part 10, market research was conducted through various internet searches. Market research of other manufacturers was performed, and it was determined that CWDS is the only manufacturer of the BOSS. The customer made inquiries to different vendors, including Northrop Grumman Corporation, 9326 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123 and Advanced Simulation Technology, Inc., 500A Hutmar Park Drive, Herndon, VA, 20170. The customer also conducted market research in GSA Advantage for other similar product schedule holders, and none were found. In addition, the customer made an extensive search of the internet revealing no other sources capable of meeting all the requirements in one compact test tool. No other vendor can use the existing BOSS software and hardware and accept BOSS software updates in a timely fashion. CWDS proprietary software is used for BOSS functionality. We will continue to perform market research for future requirements. In addition, market research in GSA Advantage for other similar product schedule holders and the internet was conducted yielding no results. Furthermore, examination of the acquisition

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

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While other companies make Link 16 test tools, they do not use BOSS operational hardware or software as required for a BOSS. CWDS is the sole source manufacturer with unique qualifications required to provide timely and proficient support for the BOSS. They are the only manufacturer with unique qualifications required to complete the task.

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