TAIS_JEFO_Redacted_Public_Redacted.pdf

Control Number: JA-26-B-0314

Contractor: General Dynamics One Source Program/ Equipment: Tactical Airspace Integration System

(TAIS) Software

1) GD-MS is the only source capable of fulfilling this requirement. GD-MS is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and sole developer of the TAIS software architecture. While the Government possesses Government Purpose Rights (GPR) to the TAIS software, the practical reality of software convergence dictates that legal data rights alone are insufficient for another vendor to immediately assume sustainment. GD-MS possesses the native development environment, the original software engineering workforce, and the historical baseline knowledge of the code.

No other vendor possesses this highly specialized experience. Without the OEM's innate understanding of the system's underlying logic, any other contractor attempting to modify the code for the Windows 11 migration or ATO compliance would risk catastrophic system failure and mission degradation. While the Government retains a small cadre of in-house personnel capable of providing localized Field Service Representative (FSR) and baseline Help Desk support, this internal capability is strictly limited by personnel bandwidth. The Government lacks the sheer volume of specialized manpower required to scale these operations for 24/7 global support of forward-deployed units. Furthermore, in-house personnel do not have the deep, Tier-3/Tier-4 software engineering expertise required to rewrite core code, execute the complex Windows 11 migration, or resolve deep-seated vulnerabilities necessary to secure the 30 SEP 2026 ATO. Long-term reliance on limited Government personnel would inevitably result in a critical backlog of system vulnerabilities and a lapse in operational readiness. Transitioning this effort to a non-incumbent contractor, even with the provision of GPR, would require an extreme and prohibitive learning curve. A new vendor would have to dedicate thousands of engineering hours to reverse-engineer, study, and test millions of lines of proprietary-style code before they could safely implement a single update.

Ultimately, GDMS provides an unparalleled, "over and above" level of service that no other industry partner can currently replicate. Because they wrote the code and hold the specialized convergence expertise, GDMS can immediately deploy software patches, integrate Windows 11 requirements, and provide Tier-3 Help Desk resolution without the need for a ramp-up period. Their unique posture is the only mechanism that guarantees TAIS remains fully operational and secure for forward-deployed warfighters without a life-threatening gap in service.

Impact if not approved: A lapse in the ATO and a cessation of Help Desk operations, directly impacting the safety and operational effectiveness of forward-deployed units in active theaters. Failure to meet DoW’s Windows 11 migration directive shall result in removal from the enterprise and tactical network rendering TAIS ineffective for commanders.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: The Government will continue to monitor the marketplace for emerging technologies and vendors who demonstrate proficiency in TAIS software convergence. Future requirements will be synopsized in accordance with

Program/ Equipment: Tactical Airspace Integration System

RFO FAR Part 5 to identify potential sources capable of meeting mission requirements without the current technical data constraints. Additionally, the Government intends to issue a formal Request for Information (RFI) or Sources Sought notice prior to the execution of any subsequent bilateral modifications or follow-on efforts. This outreach will serve as a measure to monitor for future industry interest and to determine if any new sources have developed the highly specialized technical expertise necessary to perform this mission.

8. Market Research: In accordance with RFO FAR 10.001, market research was conducted to the maximum extent practicable; however, the extent of this research was significantly limited by the unusual and compelling urgency of the requirement.

A formal Request for Information (RFI) or Sources Sought notice was not utilized because the time required for a public posting and subsequent technical evaluation would result in unacceptable delays to the mission. As outlined in the impact statement, any delay in awarding this support would cause a lapse in the TAIS ATO by 30 SEP 2026 and leave forward-deployed units without critical Help Desk support during active operations. Furthermore, failure to meet the Department of War’s (DoW) Windows 11 migration directive by the ATO deadline will result in the immediate removal of TAIS from both enterprise and tactical networks. As TAIS is the primary system for Army 3D airspace management, rendering it ineffective strips commanders of their ability to safely deconflict tactical airspace. This catastrophic loss of situational awareness introduces an immediate, severe risk of fratricide and significant loss of life, as artillery, unmanned systems, and manned aircraft would be operating in shared battle-space without critical deconfliction data.

Market research was instead limited to a technical assessment of the existing IDIQ holders by the Program Office. This assessment confirmed that while other vendors possess general IT capabilities, no other source has the immediate, highly specialized infrastructure or the specific technical expertise required to assume TAIS operations by the 30 SEP 26 deadline without a life-threatening gap in service. Therefore, it is determined that further market research via a formal RFI is not in the best interest of the Government.

8. Other Facts:

a. Procurement history.

1) On 12 December 2000, the United States (U.S.) Army competitively awarded a five-year production contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems (GDC4S). This contract included options for engineering services (ES), spares, and interim contractor support (ICS). The Government modified the contract to provide for contractor support on the battlefield, the procurement of software licenses, and the reset of deployed systems. The Government awarded two additional ES

Program/ Equipment: Tactical Airspace Integration System contracts to GDC4S in 2006 and 2011. The Government awarded GDC4S the initial Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract on 30 June 2005 and two (2) follow-on PBL contracts in 2007 and 2011. The Government awarded a combined PBL and ES contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) in 2014. On 18 September 2018, the U.S. Army competitively awarded, W58RGZ-18-C-0043, a five-year contract to GDMS. The Government awarded HQ0727-16-D-0003 to General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) on 16 Sep 2025.

2) Previous market research confirms that industry lacks the specific technical expertise required to define and manage TAIS system software convergence.

GD-MS possesses the unique infrastructure and specialized workforce that developed the system, making them the only source capable of resolving complex software vulnerabilities before the 30 SEP 26 deadline.

Program/ Equipment: Tactical Airspace Integration System

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Pursuant to DFARS Class Deviation 2026-O0045, this action does not exceed the $10,000,000 threshold for Contracting Officer approval. I hereby approve this Exception to Fair Opportunity.