JA Sole Source FAR Part 13.5 Wind Tunnel Pipe Installation - Final Redacted.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- W15QKN25RA051
About this file
This document is a Sole Source Justification and Approval (J&A) for a piping installation project for the Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command. The procurement is for a new piping configuration for air compressors, storage tanks, safety relief valves, electronic drains, desiccant air dryers, oil water separators, and flanges, with an anticipated contract value being sought exclusively from COMAIRCO Equipment Incorporated. The contract will involve installing piping infrastructure critical to enabling hypersonic research and testing capabilities, with specialized technical requirements that make COMAIRCO the only qualified vendor due to their prior equipment manufacturing experience.
The sole source justification is based on COMAIRCO's unique qualifications as the original equipment manufacturer, with 30 years of Wind Tunnel activities experience at Picatinny. The document emphasizes that using another contractor would void existing equipment warranties, potentially damage the entire system, and risk substantial replacement costs. Market research was conducted via a sources sought notice, which resulted in only COMAIRCO being deemed capable of performing the work. The procurement will be conducted under FAR Part 13.5 using simplified acquisition procedures, with the Army Contracting Command - New Jersey serving as the contracting activity and the project being categorized as General Procurement and Acquisition with limited dissemination (FED ONLY).
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Text version
CUI//SP-SSEL
Control Number:
Reviews
I have reviewed this justification and find it adequate to support other than full and open competition.
Legal Counsel
Typed Name:
Signature:
DSN:
Date:
name) justifications using the format at FAR 6.303-2, modified to reflect that the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 were used in accordance with 41 U.S.C.1901.
COMAIRCO, as the original equipment manufacturer, possesses unique qualifications that make them the only suitable contractor for this piping installation. Specifically, they alone have the exact hardware and components necessary to attach the piping successfully. This is because the piping is being attached to equipment furnished by COMAIRCO under previous contracts, including the following: air compressors, storage dry tank vessels, storage wet tank vessels, safety relief valve electronic drains, lower purge desiccant air dryers, oil water separator, and flanges with pressure values up to 350 pounds per square inch. Other companies lack the specialized knowledge required to attach plumbing to this equipment, as it is modified commercial equipment with specifications that are not common in the commercial marketplace. The ability to attach all of this equipment hinges on the specialized knowledge of the equipment and the unique tooling required. Consequently, specialized training would be necessary for other companies to install plumbing on the aforementioned equipment, which makes COMAIRCO uniquely qualified for this project.
This expertise has been honed over 30 years of supporting Wind Tunnel activities at Picatinny.
The use of another contractor would pose unacceptable risks, including the potential voiding of warranties on the above-mentioned equipment. The warranty language on the above equipment states that Comairco warrants that the piping installation work performed under this contract will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years.” On 9 October 2025, Comairco sent a letter to this office in effect stating that the warranty is contingent upon installation and maintenance in accordance with COMAIRCO's specifications and guidelines.
The technical requirements for this piping installation, while modified commercial, are inextricably linked to COMAIRCO's original design and integration of the system’s core components, including the air compressors, storage dry tank vessels, storage wet tank vessels, safety relief valve electronic drains, lower purge desiccant air dryers, oil water separator, and flanges under previous contracts. This deep understanding, gained through their experience as the original equipment manufacturer, effectively positions COMAIRCO as the sole source capable of undertaking further modifications. Other vendors who lack this foundational knowledge would not be able to compete effectively.
In addition to the above, utilizing a contractor other than the original equipment manufacturer poses unacceptable risk to the government with respect to substantial duplication of costs. The equipment in question, which includes air compressors, storage dry tank vessels, storage wet tank vessels, safety relief valve electronic drains, lower purge desiccant air dryers, oil water separator, and flanges with pressure values up to 350 pounds per square inch, has a total value of . All of this equipment is currently under warranty, but that warranty would be voided if the piping was not installed correctly.
Approval
Based on the foregoing justification, I hereby approve the procurement for tanks and compressors in the amount of on an other than full and open competition basis pursuant to the authority of41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501, subject to availability of funds, and provided that the services or supplies herein described have otherwise been authorized for acquisition.
Signature: Date:
Typed Name: Title:
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