Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity - Orca XLUUV CES
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- 26027-1
- Agency
-
Naval Sea Systems Command
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- N6660418DC814-N6660426FC851
- NAICS code
- 336999 All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Northampton, Massachusetts 01060, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, awarded a task order under an exception to fair opportunity to L3 Technologies for sustainment, technical, engineering, and administrative services supporting the Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program's proprietary Control Element Software (CES), with an estimated value of $2,805,896 and award date of August 13, 2026.
The justification cites FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B)—only one awardee capable of providing supplies or services at the required quality level—on the basis that L3 holds exclusive data rights and source code access to the proprietary mission planning software that is unique to the Orca XLUUV platform and essential for vehicle operation. Without L3's sustained software support, the entire system would be rendered unusable. The Contracting Officer determined the anticipated cost fair and reasonable, and the Advocate for Competition granted approval.
The task order is a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee and Cost-Reimbursement contract with a period of performance of 24 months across fiscal years 2026–2028. Required services include maintaining development, security, and operations build pipelines and digital infrastructure; performing software development; executing software testing and release processes; maintaining build environments; and participating in sprint planning. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Code 75 (Ocean Science, Autonomous Systems, and Ranges Department), is the contracting activity. The underlying contract is N6660418DC814.
Notice text
1. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Department of the Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT)
2. NATURE OF ACTION: Award of a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) and Cost-Reimbursement task order under an exception to fair opportunity.
3. CONTRACTOR: L3 Technologies
4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) - Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.
5. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT: Sustainment, technical, engineering, and administrative services for the proprietary L3 Control Element Software (CES) supporting the Orca Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) program.
6. ATTACHMENT: In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(2)(ii)(D), a redacted copy of the approved Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity is attached to this notice.
Awarded contract N6660418DC814 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-08-13.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| EtoFO Justification_Rev 1_Redacted.pdf |
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