VEMPSU JA SAM Post-Award.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

21983 BUNDY ROAD BLDG 441

PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND 20670-1127

J&A No. 25-0083

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, MD

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

Award of a contract on a sole source basis to Applied Physical Electronics L.C. (APELC) in support of NAWC-AD’s Electromagnetic Effects Branch for the modernization of the Vertical

Electromagnetic Pulse Simulator (VEMPS).

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The present day VEMPS pulse generator and control system was developed and fielded between

November 2014 and September 2016 to meet test standard MIL-STD-2169C. The Defense

Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) updated the standard, now MIL-STD-2169D. This effort will modify VEMPS to produce waveforms that will comply with MIL-STD-2169D. Specifically, it will improve reliability, expand the volume of the test area to achieve both a larger test area as well as to accommodate for the testing of taller assets, and allow for adjustments and control from a ground control station. This contract will include design, development, fabrication, installation, and acceptance testing of the updated system.

Estimated Dollar Value

FY25-28

RDT&E $20M

Total $20M

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(A), the Government has deemed the requirements listed above to be available only through the original source and award to any other source will result in substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition

J&A Number: 25-0083 in fulfilling the Navy’s requirements. APELC is the original designer, developer and manufacturer of the VEMPS pulse generator, a system singularly unique in its class with a pulse-forming network tailored specifically to the NAWCAD antenna and working volume. APELC is the only qualified source with the requisite knowledge and experience with the current design and the technical expertise specific to proprietary components contained within the system’s pulse forming network, which are required to modernize and upgrade the system to meet the new

MIL-STD-2169D requirements. The development effort for the VEMPS system was originally competed and awarded to AMEWAS as the lead system integrator. APELC was a competitively awarded subcontractor to AMEWAS responsible specifically for the VEMPS pulse generator.

The Government and APELC have spent the past 10.5 years completing development, acceptance test qualifications and sustainment to ensure compliance with MIL-STD-2169C.

Delaying the procurement to solicit and qualify another source would significantly impact the

U.S. military’s operating capabilities. In order to develop a new source, the time and cost would be much greater even than previously identified in the independent study conducted before the

Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract award. Technical data packages suitable for full and open competition are not currently being developed to permit sources other than the SDD contractor to perform the contract efforts. Based on historical data, it would cost approximately $20 million and take roughly 4-6 years in front-end investment together with increases in recurring costs to develop and deliver a product competitive with the VEMPS.

Therefore, award of a contract to any other source would result in substantial duplication of costs that are not expected to be recovered through competition.

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

In accordance with FAR 5.201 and DFARS PGI 206.302-1, the Government posted a sources sought on the SAM website on January 23, 2025. One company expressed that they are capable of performing the work, Kato Engineering (Kato). On 23 June, the Government contacted Kato to discuss the company’s capabilities and the expertise required for this procurement. On 24

June, the Government met with Kato via teleconference to discuss Kato’s expertise and the requirements for this effort. On 1 July, Kato emailed that they would not be able to fulfill the requirement because the pulse type generators they build would not be able to achieve the extremely fast ramp times required to create the proper waveform.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost. The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAWCAD has no plans at this time to compete future contracts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAWCAD will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

John F. Norman III

Candie Rodgers

Tess Beukers

301-342-3832

240-309-8649

240-587-9561

NORMAN.JOHN.

F.III.1523148482

Digitally signed by

NORMAN.JOHN.F.III.152314848

Date: 2025.03.18 10:09:30 -04'00'

RODGERS.CANDIE

.LAUREN.12870362

Digitally signed by

RODGERS.CANDIE.LAUREN.12

87036252 Date: 2025.03.18 10:22:51 -04'00'

BEUKERS.TES

S.J.1514016379

Digitally signed by

BEUKERS.TESS.J.1514016379

Date: 2025.04.25 11:21:19 -04'00'