Notice of Contract Action -Aechelon Technology Inc

Notice Type: Notice of Contract Action – Cyber AI Updates – Sole Source Award to AECHELON TECHNOLOGY.
Justification, Statutory Authority: FAR 13.501(a) – 41 USC 1901- Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 
 
Contract Award Date: TBD 
 
Contract Award Number: TBD 
  
Synopsis: 
 
The United States Air Force Test Center/Directorate of Contracting (AFTC/PZZG), Edwards AFB, CA intends to issue a sole source contract to Aechelon Technology located at 611 Gateway Blvd. Suite 300 South San Francisco, CA 94080 to Identifies the Nucleus, Workstation, and Nexus software and hardware versions that ensure proper Cyber updates are applied and evaluated for performance. The contract will be executed by means of other than full and open competition, due to Aechelon Technology being the only authorized reseller to the Nucleus, Workstation, and Nexus software and hardware versions.

The authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 USC 1901 - FAR 13.501(a) Supplies may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, including major components thereof, when it is likely that award to any other source would result in-
                     (A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition; or

                     (B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. 

The requested Cyber IA Support is critical to the JSE program. This requirement is specific to the Image Generation equipment utilized for F-35 and F-22 aircraft simulation to support developmental and operational testing of these war fighting platforms. The Image Generation systems are an "Out the Window" (OTW) solution for flight simulation currently used on F-35 and F-22 pilot training programs.

Due to the vendor's specialized capability to perform quarterly cybersecurity updates in compliance with DoD and NIST cybersecurity directives and publications. This vendor has the specific expertise and knowledge to identify and manage the Nucleus, Workstation, and Nexus software and hardware versions necessary to ensure that the required cybersecurity updates are applied and evaluated for performance. Additionally, they utilize the latest IA scanning toolset, such as ACAS and Evaluate STIG, along with the most recent Microsoft updates, to conduct comprehensive OS baseline updates and verifications. The vendor also provides detailed documentation for each quarterly update, which includes justifications for any unincorporated IAVMP messages by explaining the potential negative impacts on trainer operations. This level of specialized service and detailed reporting underscores the necessity for a sole source award to this vendor, ensuring continuity and compliance with stringent cybersecurity requirements.

Aechelon is the sole provider of the support systems/integration listed above that is required to support the F-22 and F-35 Simulation Lab. The image generators that are currently in use need receive the requested Cyber IA support to ensure no lapse in capability or security measures. These generators that are in use with the Simulation Lab are the only system that can meet current requirements because the same generators are used across the EWG and the F-22 Enterprise for Edwards AFB. Congruency must be kept between all groups across Edwards AFB to ensure test conditions and use remains the same. 

These Image Generators have already gone through lengthy and significant testing to ensure that they intrinsically meet all technical aspects set forth by the test mission. If switching to a different brand/system of image generators would require all these lengthy and costly tests to be repeated on any possible substitute at the cost of the government across the F-22 Enterprise. This would result in a substantial cost to the government that is not anticipated to be recovered by the switch to a different system.

No other potential sources have been identified that can provide the need Cyber IA Support for the Aechelon projectors. Aechelon has confirmed in the past that they do not have authorized resellers or distributors for this type of need. A formal Notice of Contract Action will be posted on SAM.gov to confirm no other potential sources.  

The Government requests that initial feedback, comments, and questions be submitted no later than three (5) calendar days from the date of this notice posted to www.beta.SAM.gov. In accordance with leeway permitted by FAR 13.501(a)(iii), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency. Please submit all questions, comments and feedback regarding this EW Turntable Controls Hardware and Upgrade via e-mail to the following Points of Contact: 

    Mr. Adam R. Confer, Contracting Officer, Phone: 661-277-3932, Email: Adam.confer.2@us.af.mil
    Mr. Abel Alcantar, Contract Specialist, Phone: 661-527-3531, Email: abel.alcantar.1@us.af.mil

No telephone responses will be accepted. Any information submitted by respondents to this Notice of Contract Action is strictly voluntary. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such, and will be properly protected from disclosure. No classified information shall be submitted. Any response submitted by respondents to this Notice of Contract Action constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel.  

The Air Force Test Center has appointed an Ombudsman to consider and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. Concerned parties should address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution prior to consulting the Ombudsman. Additionally, Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation (AFFARS) 5352.201-9101 – Ombudsman, will be included in any potential solicitation and contract for this acquisition. The AFTC Ombudsman contact information is as follows: Air Force Test Center Vice Commander 1 South Rosamond Blvd, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-3784. Phone Number (661) 277-2810, Facsimile Number (661) 277-7593, Email: aftc.workflow@us.af.mil. 

DISCLAIMER AND NOTICE: This is a courtesy Notice of Contract Action only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that AFTC/PZZG, will take procurement action in this matter. This is NOT a request for proposals, applications, proposal abstracts, or quotation. This courtesy Notice of Contract Action only shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. Further, the Government will NOT be responsible nor reimburse any submitters of information for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.