SSJ_Redacted.pdf

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list)

Use of a Single Source Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list) 4 Jan 2021 Page 1 of 3

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

Section C: Rationale for Soliciting from a Single Source or Brand Name

Is this a Bridge Action as defined in the AF Bridge Action Reduction Plan? Yes No

Contracting Activity: AFTC/PZIOAB

Project/Program Name: 40 FLTS F16C Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) ready room tester and G-KIT support engineering kit equipment

Purchase Request/ Local ID Number:

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options): $140,000.00

The proposed contract action is supporting the procurement of sole source purchase for a F-16C Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) HOblT ready room tester and G-KIT support engineering kit equipment from Thales Defense & Security Inc. 22605 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871 through a firm-fixed price contract.

This justification supports a sole source award for the procurement of the F-16C Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) HOblT ready room tester and G-KIT support engineering kit equipment from Thales Defense & Security Inc. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), serving as the flight test customer, has identified a critical need for a portable, reliable, and readily available tester to enable pilots to perform functional preflight checks of the VENOM Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS).

Specifically, the tester must allow pilots to verify the Scorpion display and tracker operation before daytime flights and perform infinity focus and mechanical alignment of the helmet-mounted portion of the Scorpion HMCS with night vision goggles (NVG) prior to nighttime flights. The HOblT Ready Room Tester, GEN Ill LEG is the only tester currently available that meets DARPA's specific requirements for pre flight verification of the VENOM Scorpion HMCS. The Thales Group designed and manufactured this tester specifically for this purpose. The Ready Room Tester is specifically engineered to interface with and test the unique functionalities of the Scorpion HMCS. It allows pilots to test the Scorpion display and tracker operation as well as performing infinity focus and mechanical alignment of the helmet mounted portion of the Scorpion HMCS with night vision goggle (NVG). The Ready Room Tester is designed to be compact and portable, enabling pilots to perform preflight checks directly in the life support shop or other convenient locations. This ease of use is crucial for efficient pre-flight procedures. DARPA, as the flight test customer, has formally selected the HOblT Ready Room Tester as the required portable tester for the Scorpion HMCS. This selection is based on rigorous evaluation and testing to ensure it meets their stringent performance requirements. Market research has been conducted to determine if alternative testers exist that can meet the requirements. A comprehensive review of commercially available helmet mounted display testers was conducted. Discussions were held with experts in the field of helmet mounted display systems and testing equipment. The research concluded that no other tester currently available possesses the specific capabilities, compatibility, and portability required to meet DARPA's needs

Section A: General Contract Information

Security Marking (select from the drop-down list)

Use of a Single Source Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

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Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source or Brand Name Awards for the VENOM Scorpion HMCS pre-flight checks. While other testers might exist for general helmet mounted displays, none are specifically designed and validated for the Scorpion HMCS, and none have been approved by DARPA for this critical flight test application. Failure to acquire the HOblT Ready Room Tester would significantly impact DARPA's flight test program for the VENOM Scorpion HMCS. Pilots would be unable to perform essential pre-flight checks, potentially compromising flight safety and delaying the program's progress. The lack of a reliable and validated tester would also hinder the ability to accurately assess the performance and functionality of the Scorpion HMCS. Based on the unique capabilities of the HOblT Ready Room Tester, DARPA's selection of this specific tester, the lack of suitable alternatives, and the cost and schedule benefits of direct procurement, for a brand name is fully justified. This approach ensures that the government obtains the necessary equipment to support critical flight test operations for the VENOM Scorpion HMCS, while also maximizing value and minimizing risk.

A Notice of Contract Action will be posted on SAM.gov to ensure that the equipment is not available from any other businesses and the price will be determined fair and reasonable based on comparison to the Government Independent Government.

At this time the decision by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to use the Thales Defense & Security Inc ENOM Scorpion Ready Room Tester in support of the VENOM aircraft requires the portable tester to be of the same manufacturer as the helmet mounted cuing system. The Market will continue to be surveyed for options that may replace the current one and we will continue to open our solicitation to the manufacturer and capable resellers of the equipment.