NOCA for E-3 AWACS Block 40/45 P-73

Notice Type: Notice of Contract Action J&A Statutory Authority: FAR 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Contract Award Date: TBD Contract Award Number: FA8730-19-R-0013 Synopsis: The United States Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Digital Directorate- Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Division (HBSK), Hanscom AFB, MA intends to issue a sole source Request for Proposal (RFP) to Gauss Management Research & Engineering (GMRE) for the E-3 AWACS Block 40/45 P-73 Encrypted Hard Drive trial installation. The Government anticipates issuing the solicitation in Q2 FY19. The AWACS Program Contracting Office (AFLCMC/HBSK) proposes to execute, by means of other than full and open competition, a sole source contract to Gauss Management Research & Engineering, 5875 S. Adams Parkway, Ste 2A, South Ogden, Utah, 84405, E-3 AWACS Block 40/45 P-73. Encrypted Hard Drive trial installation effort is necessary due to the expiration of the current contract vehicle that was utilized to accomplish the design, testing and manufacture of the trial installation kit. The Design and Engineering Support Program (DESP III) was a Single Award, Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Contract (FA8222-17-F-0003-P00003). The DESP III ID/IQ, ordering period that expired 9 January 2019, provided overarching weapon system engineering and integration across the Air Force. This included supplies and services prototype demonstrations, development and production of system modifications. The purpose of the P-73 Encrypted Hard Drive program is to obtain a support structure that will integrate two (2) General Dynamics ProtecD@R PC Data at Rest (DaR) Encryptors (DaR-400) into the P-73 console. The DaR-400 is used for data-at-rest protection of the information contained on laptops associated with the E-3G enterprise. The contractor will be required to fabricate support structures and panels, provide required analyses and documentation, and create installation and checkout procedures for the DaR-400 (and its associated cabling). Additionally, GMRE was tasked with a limited production run to fabricate 31 (ea) structure kits (2 mounts per aircraft) and to deliver all formalized data in a technical data package including a Technical Order for aircraft installation. The work to date accomplished by GMRE - included the Development of the installation kits, environmental testing of the DaR-400, delivery of the Technical Data Package. As a result of these efforts, the AWACS Block 40/45 P-73 Encrypted hard drive is ready for trial installation. Due to the expiration of the Period of Performance of the DESP III contract the Government has not been able to complete the trial installation and finish the manufacture of all parts required for the installation Kit. To provide for the seamless transition of the AWACS Block 40/45 P-73 Encrypted hard drive upgrade, this level of support would need to be maintained without the delay that would result from the duplication of the development efforts accomplished to date. The Government requires the AWACS Block P-73 Encrypted hard drive contract to be in place NLT February 2019 to provide for the uninterrupted performance of this FRP effort. The projected work for this effort includes; Engineering support to the Government for the aircraft trial installation of the DaR-400 kit at Tinker AFB, OK, Engineering support to the Government for the verification of the Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) at Tinker AFB, OK, Travel to support installation and TCTO verification, and manufacturing and delivering non-COTS USB Splitter Adapter seventy (70) in accordance with GMRE drawings USB SPLITTER ADAPTER ASSY 400B17007 and 400B17008, including shipping cost to Oklahoma City, OK. The authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), as implemented as follows: - FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) - When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for. - FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B) further goes on to state that for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, services may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of follow-on contracts for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. The Government requests that initial feedback, comments and questions be submitted no later than fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this notice posted to www.fbo.gov. In accordance with FAR 5.207 (c) (16) (ii), all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Please submit all questions, comments and feedback regarding this NOCA via e-mail to the following Points of Contact: Ms. Brenda R. Bigelow, Contracting Officer Phone: 781.225-4531, E-mail: brenda.bigelow@us.af.mil Ms. Arlene R. Herry, Contract Specialist Phone: 781-225-4890, Email: arlene.herry@us.af.mil Ms. Meredith U. Mulhall, Contract Specialist Phone: 781-225-3363, Email: meredith.mulhall.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, Federally Funded Research and Development Center employees and Advisory & Assistance Services contractor employees, unless the respondent clearly objects in writing to the release of this information to Federally Funded Research and Development Contractor employees and Advisory & Assistance Services Contractor employees. AFLCMC 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 AFLCMC Ombudsman contact information is as follows: Peter A. Sandness, LtCol, USAF, Ombudsman, AFLCMC/AQP 1790 10th Street Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7630 Telephone (937) 255-5472 Email: peter.sandness@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 AFLCMC/HBSK, 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.