Test Tips-JandA-Original -final-redacted_Updated.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER

INDIAN HEAD DIVISION

3767 STRAUSS AVENUE

SUITE 201

INDIAN HEAD, MD 20640-5150

NCH 53.6-2 (4 Jan 2021 Update)

J&A Number: FY22-MAY05-71 Code:026

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity

The Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Contracts Division 026.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved

Award of a Firm Fixed Price contract on a limited sources basis for the purchase of Shielded Mild Detonating Cord (SMDC) Test Tips.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

NSWC IHD Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Department and the Engineering Department require SMDC Test Tips for the test and evaluation of Cartridges and Cartridge Actuated Devices (CADs) under various Army, Navy, and Air Force programs. SMDC Test Tips are necessary for testing of explosive devices, also referred to as cartridges and CADs, installed in Naval Aircraft Aircrew Emergency Escape Systems. These tests include lot acceptance test (LAT), ordnance assessment (OA), and first article test (FAT), which are required to evaluate the performance/reliability level of critical explosive components. The Test Tips are a modified version of the actual SMDC used in various aircraft.

The Government’s minimum needs have been verified by the certifying technical and requirements personnel.

NCH 53.6-2

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open

Competition

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of

10 U.S.C.3204 (a) (1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 Only one responsible source or a limited number of responsible sources and no other suppliers will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority

The SMDC Test Tips are highly explosive and must be manufactured in strict compliance with government specifications and under a controlled manufacturing process.

Only two vendors have authorization (Collins Aerospace and Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company, LLC doing business as PacSci EMC)) to produce SMDC Test Tips for use in the U.S. Government-owned aircraft. There are no other known vendors that are approved through a qualification process to be able to produce SMDC Test Tips.

Explosive Technology and Teledyne McCormick Selph were the original providers of SMDC Test Tips. These companies were subsequently purchased by Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC, respectively, and absorbed into their new company structures. The design of, and ability to produce the SMDC Test Tips was also obtained by those two companies.

Subsequent testing of Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC’s SMDC Test Tips in the performance of recent contracts has verified their ability to continue to manufacture the SMDC Test Tips in strict compliance with government specifications and has justified the continued authorization of these two companies for the production of SMDC Test Tips.

Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC have their own proprietary methods of producing the SMDC Test Tips. The Government does not have adequate rights in Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC’s data that would allow it to be used for full and open competition. In addition, the Government does not have its own drawing package which can be used to procure SMDC Test Tips.

The objective and goal in using the SMDC Test Tips from these two providers is to ensure current test methods correlate with previous lot acceptance test (LAT), ordnance assessment (OA), and first article test (FAT)data generated with them. This is imperative in order to assess reliability/performance and of new production explosive devices and/or the aging characteristics of devices removed from fleet service for OA. Often, these SMDC Test Tips are used as direct indicators of actual output performance of various cartridges and CADs. Any deviation from the current test configuration or test equipment could negatively influence the data results. It is imperative that the devices are evaluated correctly, because they are used in life-saving systems. All previous testing has been conducted using Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC SMDC Test Tips. Both companies have a thorough knowledge of the techniques used for the fabrication, non-destructive evaluation techniques to include radiographic examination, and the subsequent ballistic test required to evaluate performance of the SMDC Test Tip. These companies are the sole providers of any and all SMDC lines used to propagate explosive signals to various explosive actuated devices in U.S. Government aircraft.

SMDC Test Tips are a modified version of the full SMDC line.

Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC have developed and own the rights to their own standard operating procedure (SOP) and safety procedures associated with conducting ballistics in SMDC. Therefore, Collins Aerospace and PacSci EMC are the only known and authorized companies that are capable of producing the SMDC Test Tips.

6. Description of Efforts Made To Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable

To further broaden market research and to satisfy the requirements of DFARS PGI 206.302-1(d), a Sources Sought notice was posted on 06 April 2022 to the beta.SAM.gov. Zero

(0) responses were received.

As required by FAR 5.203, a pre-solicitation notice was publicized 06 June 2022 on the beta.SAM.gov website. Zero

(0) responses were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Costs

The Contracting Officer will determine that the anticipated cost to the Government for the supplies covered by the J&A will be fair and reasonable.

Significant quantities of this requirement have been purchased from these offerors in the past and cost/pricing information was received on those past procurements. This information should be sufficient to support the fair and reasonable cost determination of this procurement.

8. Actions To Remove Barriers to Competition

For reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NSWC IHD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NSWC IHD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible. The circumstances surrounding the need to obtain the required supplies without providing full and open competition will be reviewed at such time as any follow-on efforts are needed by the Technical Point(s) of Contact (TPOC) conducting Market Research.

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(c))

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and its supporting acquisition planning data, including Acquisition Plan No. N/A, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

COMBINED TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS COGNIZANCE:

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW (NMCARS 5206.303(90))

I have determined this justification is legally sufficient.

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303-2(b)(12))

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

Signature Name (Print) and Title (Code) Phone No. Date

APPROVAL BLOCK (FAR 6.304 for Approving Official)

Upon the basis of the above justification, I hereby approve, as Competition Advocate for the Procuring Activity, the solicitation of the proposed procurement(s) described herein using other than full and open competition, pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C.3204 (a)(1).

(Competition Advocate for the Procurement Activity)

Signature Name (Print) Date

BROWN.RENEE.M.1229319147 Digitally signed by BROWN.RENEE.M.1229319147 Date: 2022.09.27 13:31:21 -04'00'