XRIT Earth Stations

Added: Sep 27, 2017 4:41 pm Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

Contracting Activity: 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
Purchase Request / Local ID Number: F2FF047220AW01
Program / Project (and PE, if applicable): XRIT Weather Imagery Satellite Receiver
Program Type (PEO or Other Contracting): N/A
Authority (include full title): FAR 13.501
Estimated Contract Cost: XXXXXXXXXXXX J&A Type: Individual

I. Contracting Activity.
Department of Air Force, 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL. This document serves as a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition. The purchase request number is F2FF047220AW01.
II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.
This action will be awarded as a new contract and it will be a firm-fixed-price contract.
III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.
The resulting contract will provide seven (7) XRIT Earth Station systems, four (4) Ku-band upgrade kits, and three (3) 3 day training courses. Each XTRI Earth Station system includes a portable weather satellite dish, a receiver, essential interface cables, a Pelican case, a GETAC rough notebook, one (1) satellite dish, and one (1) field tri-pod. Additionally, the Ku-Band kits include a GETAC expansion chassis and satellite meter. The receiver system receives, archives, processes and displays Low-Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) data and High-Rate Information Transmission (HRIT) from the following geo-stationary weather satellite systems: (1) European Space Agency (ESA) - Meteo-10 MeteoSat Second Generation (MSG), (2) Japanese - HimawariCase, (3) USA - GOES-13 (East) & GOES-15 (West), GOES-R (a.k.a GOES-16), (4) Korean - Communication, Ocean, and Meterological Satellite (COMS), (5) Russian - Electro- L2, (6) Chinese - Feng Yun-2/3. The system weight is approximately 70 lbs and allows for a single (1) person set up in approximately ten (10) minutes with zero tools required. The dish remotes up to 300ft from the receiver. 97 0100 (Operations and Maintenance) appropriations will be used to fund this requirement.
IV. Statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition.
Procurement under this contract will be conducted on a sole-source basis in accordance with the statutory authority 10
U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and implemented by FAR 13.501, Sole source acquisitions conducted under simplified acquisition
procedures. Only one source is capable of providing the supplies required at the level of quality required because the
supplies are unique or highly specialized.
V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the
authority cited above (applicability of authority).
There are other products on the market that meet the system requirements identified below:
- Receives and processes Low Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) and High Rate Information Transmission (HRIT) [weather]
satellite imagery from geostationary satellites on L-Band. The XRIT is capable of receiving and processing imagery from the
following: European Space Agency (ESA) - MeteoSat (MeteoSat-10 w/Ku-Band kit), Japanese HimawariCast, USA GOES,
Korean Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), Russian Electro-L2, and Chinese Feng Yun-2/3.
- Meets the lightweight size standards in volume and weight for tactical meteorological support to task force operations
that includes one (1) XRIT dish antenna diameter of 1 meter, 36 lbs, and one XRIT receiver dimensions of 175x60x240mm,
one Pelican Air Case at 17lbs, and one Pelican Air case at 9 lbs with a total carry lightweight of approximately 70 lbs.
- Portable system
- Hardware set up can be completed without tools in less than 10 minutes
- Receiver dish capable of remoting up to 300ft from a GETAC rough notebook
- Hardware/spares and routine software updates available
VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.
A sources sought notice was issued to Federal Business Opportunities from15 August 2017 to 25 August 2017. One (1) response, from the OEM, was received. Global-LG is the OEM for these systems and they do not operate through representatie or distributors. A second response was received from XXXXXX. However, XXXXXX provides XRIT related software but does not provide the precise system rerquested. Thus, XXXXXX revoked their initial response.
VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.
It is anticipated that the price will be determined fair and reasonable based on FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) through current Global LG catalog pricing and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iv) by comparing similar items in a related industry.
VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.
Through internet searches and exop attendances, several LRIT systems have been identified for consideration.
XXXXXXXXXXXX: This system is not tactical or portable and operates as static/fixed base.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX: is partnered with XXXXXXXXXXXXX (software) and provides the XRIT system being requested. The system has been utilized by AFSOC in the past and is currently being phased out and replaced by the XRIT systems purchased in FY16 and FY17. The system sold by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX has proven to be problematic, the software is not routinely updated, the receiver dish is no longer supported/available, and the systems currently fielded have to depend on limited spares supplied by AFSOC.
IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.
N/A
X. List of sources, if any, that expressed interest in the acquisition.
Only one source confirmed capabilites for this acquisition, Global-LG which is a small business concern. This requirement has been procured in FY16 and FY17. Even though Industry has been provided Sole Source Award Notices through the Government Entry Point, equal items that foster a competitive environment do not yet exist.
XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.
Through multiple means, AFSOC A3OW will continue to monitor market information/sources and technical publications to determine whether other sources can meet the requirements identified in paragraph III and V of this document. In addition, the requirements in this document will be publicized and shared with industry to encourage other manufacturers/vendors to begin manufacturing products that meet the stated requirements.
XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.
As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.
As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my responsibility, is both accurate and complete.