SSJ- TPS MPU5 IP Radios FINAL REDACTED.pdf

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

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I. Contracting Activity.

AFTC/PZIOA

Edwards AFB, CA

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

AFTC/PZIOA intends to award a single-source firm-fixed price purchase order for the acquisition of MPU5 Radios with network support equipment and components.

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

Upgrade the X-62 VISTA aircraft, 2 each T-38 aircraft, and the Test Pilot School (TPS) control room with MPU5 Internet Protocol (IP) based radio network and supporting equipment.

The items mainly consist of:

MPU5 radios, various ground station antennas: rugged blade, dual SAW filt, omni-directional blade, high power RF modules, USB to Ethernet converters, mounting plates, cable assemblies, a multi-band tracking antenna system, and product training.

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

FAR 13.501(a)(1)

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

The MPU5 system provided by Persistent Systems was selected from other IP-based radios to align with existing efforts used by: 1) the 586th Flight Test Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM, 2) Emerging Technology Combined Test Force, Edwards AFB, CA, and 3) MPU-5 Cloud Relay operated by Davis Monthan AFB, AZ. These existing locations are already operating a mesh network with the MPU5 system provided by Persistent Systems, which utilize the Wave Relay System and is proprietary to Persistent Systems. The radios and supporting equipment allows the Test Pilot School (TPS) to conduct integrated test missions with the other test facilities listed above. Other manufacturer's equipment can be made to be interoperable, but will require additional equipment, cause operational delays, and add additional cost to all test facilities involved.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

An NOCA will be posted to the GPE (SAM.gov) to inform industry of the government's intentions and to obtain feedback from as many sources as practicable.

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The cost to the Government will be determined fair and reasonable IAW FAR 13.106-3(a)(2). The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated costs will be determined fair and reasonable using price analysis techniques. The various price methods that will be used include comparing proposed prices to historical prices paid for the same/ similar products and services, previous invoices/orders obtained from the vendor, and any other reasonable basis. The Government is able to find adequate pricing information in accessible contract award databases.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted. Sufficient data on recent awards for MPU5 radios and equipment within the last five years is available. Internet search results and intellectual property constraints have determined that only Persistent

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

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 3

Systems can meet our need for the establishment of a MPU5 IP communication network at Edwards Air Force base.

There are other vendors in this industry that provide IP radios, but may not fully support the Wave Relay System feature which is proprietary to Persistent Systems without the need for additional equipment.

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

AFTC/PZIOA is currently not aware of any other products on the market that can wirelessly bridge or integrate with the Persistent Systems wireless network except for use with the MPU5 radios. The activity is not aware of any other alternate products that can seamlessly integrate with existing MPU5 networks over a long distance without modifications to current systems.

A notice of contract award (NOCA) will be posted on SAM to inform the public of our intent to use other than full and open competition and to determine if other interested parties are capable of meeting the requirement.

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

No additional sources were provided or surveyed to obtain interest. Persistent Systems is the sole manufacturer of the IP mesh radio equipment and does not have any authorized providers or resellers for the network system equipment.

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 or services required.

As part of the procurement process, we will synopsize our intent via the GPE to inform the public of our intentions and to identify potential sources for review and evaluation. If any other sources are determined to fully meet the requirement, we will review our strategy to promote competition.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.