Streamlined Sole-Source Justification Memo - David Clark Headsets C-17.pdf

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION / LIMITED SOURCES

ACQUISITION OF C-17 COMPATIBLE NOISE-CANCELING HEADSETS

PROPOSED SOURCE: DAVID CLARK DC ONE-XM (C-17), PN 43102G-09

Contracting Activity: 167 MSC Requiring Activity: 167th Operations Squadron / 167th Airlift Wing

Nature of the Action

This justification supports the use of other than full and open competition for the acquisition of 150 C-17 compatible noise-canceling aviation headsets for operational aircrew use. The proposed source is David Clark for PN 43102G-09, DC ONE-XM (C-17).

Description of Supplies Required to Meet Agency Needs

The requiring activity needs C-17 compatible aviation headsets that provide reliable in-flight communications and support mission accomplishment, aircrew effectiveness, and flight safety.

Minimum requirements are:

C-17 compatibility

Reliable communications performance without reverb or popping during certain phases of flight, including at higher altitudes

Suitability for operational aircrew use during flight operations

Bluetooth capability supporting certain Electronic Flight Bag voice-alert applications used to enhance cockpit situational awareness

Statutory Authority

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, as implemented by RFO FAR 12.102(b) and RFO FAR 12.201-1.

Demonstration That the Proposed Source’s Unique Qualifications Require Use of the Authority Cited

Operational testing and market research determined that the David Clark DC One-XM (C-17) is the only headset identified that satisfies the Government’s minimum needs.

Field testing by 167th AW aircrews found that the headset was the only headset that met all in-flight safety and performance requirements. The supporting documentation states that it was the only headset tested that did not present reverb or popping during certain phases of flight, including at higher altitudes, and that it provides Bluetooth capability supporting certain

Electronic Flight Bag voice-alert applications. The supporting record further states that the headset outperformed all other headsets tested during field testing.

Because the Government’s requirement is based on demonstrated operational performance, compatibility, and safety, and because no other tested source met those requirements, limiting the acquisition to the proposed source is necessary.

Efforts to Solicit as Many Potential Sources as Practicable

The Government conducted market research, including field testing by 167th AW aircrews, to assess headset compatibility and reliability during flight operations. That testing found the David Clark DC One-XM (C-17) was the only headset that met all in-flight safety and performance requirements.

The Government also reviewed the requirement in terms of operational performance characteristics, including C-17 compatibility, communications clarity during flight, and support for mission-essential aircrew functions. Based on this research and operational testing, no other source was identified that could satisfy the agency’s minimum needs.

Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

Price reasonableness is supported by prior competition, the attached current vendor quote, and comparison to related market pricing.

The attached price reasonableness determination states that the Government received 14 quotes in response to the solicitation and required vendors to be listed as authorized distributors on the David Clark dealer list to be considered responsive and technically acceptable. Only two vendors were identified as authorized David Clark dealers. David Clark Company quoted $152,625.00 and Lotus USA Inc. quoted $188,610.00. Both quoted the correct part number, and both were identified as authorized dealers. Other vendors submitted quotes, but many either did not quote the correct part number and/or were not authorized David Clark dealers.

The attached current David Clark quote identifies PN 43102G-09, “ENC HEADSET-MIC, DC ONE-XM (C-17) HIGH IMPEDANCE,” at a quoted unit price of $1,017.50. The quote reflects 150 units for a total quoted price of $152,625.00.

Price Comparison for 150 Headsets:

David Clark Company Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: Yes Unit Price: $1,017.50 Extended Price for 150: $152,625.00 Notes: Lowest compliant authorized-dealer quote

Lotus USA Inc.

Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: Yes Unit Price: $1,257.40 Extended Price for 150: $188,610.00 Notes: Only other authorized-dealer compliant quote

NMH Tech, Inc.

Quoted Correct P/N?: No Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $466.00 Extended Price for 150: $69,900.00 Notes: Noncompliant vPrime Tech Inc Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,197.74 Extended Price for 150: $179,661.04 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

AB Group, Inc.

Quoted Correct P/N?: No Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $499.99 Extended Price for 150: $74,998.50 Notes: Noncompliant

Kay Kay, LLC Quoted Correct P/N?: No Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $455.00 Extended Price for 150: $68,250.00 Notes: Noncompliant

Kijero LLC Quoted Correct P/N?: No Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,199.00 Extended Price for 150: $179,850.00 Notes: Noncompliant

Gov Source LLC

Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,247.67 Extended Price for 150: $187,150.00 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

Arhab LLC Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,209.49 Extended Price for 150: $181,423.50 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

SAMSTAR LLC

Quoted Correct P/N?: No Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,150.00 Extended Price for 150: $172,500.00 Notes: Noncompliant

GreenMarbles LLC Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,326.73 Extended Price for 150: $199,009.50 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

Joy of Life Co.

Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,758.95 Extended Price for 150: $263,842.50 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

One Tech Sol, LLC Quoted Correct P/N?: Yes Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,351.04 Extended Price for 150: $202,656.00 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

Alliance Network Integrators, LLC

Authorized David Clark Dealer: No Unit Price: $1,324.18 Extended Price for 150: $198,627.00 Notes: Correct P/N but not authorized

For the current requirement of 150 headsets, the David Clark total of $152,625.00 remains lower than the only other compliant authorized-dealer quote, Lotus USA Inc., at $188,610.00. Although some lower prices were submitted, those quotes were noncompliant because they did not quote the correct part number and/or were not authorized David Clark dealers. Accordingly, the David Clark price is fair and reasonable.

Extended Price for this action: $152,625.00

Description of Market Research Conducted

The supporting sole-source document states that the David Clark DC One-XM (C-17) headset was field tested by 167th AW aircrews for compatibility and reliability during flight operations and was the only headset that met all in-flight safety and performance requirements. It also states that the headset was the only tested model that did not present reverb or popping during certain phases of flight and that it provided the Bluetooth capability needed to support certain Electronic Flight Bag voice-alert functions.

Additional market research and price analysis are documented in the attached price reasonableness determination. That record states the Government received 14 quotes in response to the solicitation and that vendors were required to be authorized David Clark distributors to be considered responsive and technically acceptable. Of those 14 vendors, only two were identified as authorized dealers.

The price reasonableness record shows David Clark Company submitted a quote of $152,625.00 and the only other authorized dealer, Lotus USA Inc., submitted a quote of $188,610.00. Other vendors submitted quotes as well, but many either did not quote the correct part number and/or were not authorized David Clark dealers. The attached current David Clark quote separately confirms that the 150-unit pricing was based on PN 43102G-09, the DC ONE-XM (C-17) high-impedance configuration.

This market research supports the conclusion that the David Clark DC ONE-XM (C-17) is the only source currently known to satisfy the requiring activity’s validated minimum needs and that David Clark’s pricing is fair and reasonable in light of prior competition, authorized dealer status, and compliance with the required part number.

Other Facts Supporting the Use of Other Than Full and Open Competition

The requirement is driven by mission and safety considerations rather than brand preference. The supporting documentation ties headset performance directly to mission accomplishment and the safety of aircrew, passengers, and aircraft.

Actions to Increase Competition in Future Acquisitions

As technology advances and current headsets age out of lifecycle compliance, the Government will conduct further market research before future purchases to identify competitive alternatives.

Future actions will include reassessing commercially available C-17 compatible headsets against validated performance requirements and refining the requirement in measurable functional terms where feasible.

Technical Certification

I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance included in this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Requiring Official: SMSgt Ronald Glazer Title: 167 OG Assistant Superintendent Organization: 167th Operations Squadron / 167th Airlift Wing Date: __________________ Signature: __________________

Contracting Officer Certification

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer: 2d Lt Christopher Broschart Title: 167th AW Base Contracting Officer Organization: 167 MSC Date: __________________ Signature: __________________

Approval

Based on the foregoing, I approve this justification for the use of other than full and open competition / limited sources, subject to the availability of funds and provided that the supplies described herein have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.

Approving Official: Mr. John Knabenshue Title: Chief of the Contracting Office Organization: USPFO-WV Date: __________________ Signature: __________________