ASR-8 1618 to 1625 Conversion Kit

SINGLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION FOR PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION

1. Title of Procurement

Procurement of ASR-8 1618 to 1625 Conversion Kit

2. Nature of Procurement Action

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified a requirement to convert existing Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-8) rotary joints from the Model 1618 configuration, designed for use with the Air Traffic Control Beacon Interrogator (ATCBI-5), to the Model 1625 configuration used with the Mode Select Beacon System (Mode-S). This effort supports the Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) under the Radar System Replacement (RSR) Program. Most ASR-8 sites currently employ the Model 1618 rotary joint; however, this configuration is not compatible with the RSR system that will replace the ASR-8 and ATCBI-5 systems. To ensure compatibility with the RSR architecture, the FAA has determined that existing Model 1618 rotary joints must be converted to the Model 1625 configuration utilized by ASR-8 and Mode-S systems. Frontgrade, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), has developed a conversion kit to accomplish this modification.

3. Description of Supplies/Services

The FAA proposes acquiring seventeen 1618 to1625 Conversion Kits to convert existing rotary joints and prevent any delays or loss of critical functions essential to the Radar System Replacement (RSR) Program. These kits are required for RSR to be completed at ASR-8 sites with an ATCBI-5 Secondary System. Without the converted joint, the radar cannot operate or be placed into service following RSR installation.

4. Authority

Authority for single source procurement is provided by AMS policy section 3.2.2.4.

5. Market Analysis

During RSR development, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions were evaluated for use across the ASR-8 and ASR-9 platforms to reduce sustainment complexity through common baseline management and address obsolescence concerns. Frontgrade’s 1618-to-1625 Conversion Kit was determined to be the solution that best met both current operational needs and Radar System Replacement (RSR) requirements. Consequently, the kit was approved for use within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Frontgrade has also been the historical supplier of individual rotary joint components throughout the system's service life.

6. Rationale Supporting Use of a Single Source

Frontgrade is the OEM for both the Model 1618 and Model 1625 rotary joints and is the proprietary owner and sole approved source for more than half of the components required for the conversion kit. The only alternative source for these components is operational stock currently reserved for the repair of existing Model 1625 rotary joints. Diverting these assets would degrade the FAA Logistics Center’s repair capability, reduce rotary joint availability, increase lead times, and elevate the risk of equipment shortages and potential NAS service impacts.

Awarded contract 6973GH-26-J-ASR8 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-12-01.