Notification of Intent to Sole Source for Leonardo DRS Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR) Accident Investigation Kit

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. This is a Special Notice with the intent to award a sole source order to Leonardo DRS, Inc. under the authority of FAR 13.106-1. Leonardo DRS's unique technical qualifications as the only known company authorized to provide investigation kits to download data from Leonardo DRS Advanced Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR) systems. Notice is provided as information to the marketplace, market research, and is an invitation for any other qualified companies to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to provide the hardware and software that performs the required work. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent Federal agency with the primary missions of investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline -- and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. The Vehicle Recorder Division (RE-40) requires the capability to download data from a variety of vehicle recording devices, especially from flight data recorders (FDR) from aircraft involved in aviation accidents. These systems are comprised of proprietary hardware and software; therefore, an Accident Investigation Kit is required from the manufacturer in order to download data. The Accident Investigation Kit for the Leonardo DRS ADFR is a collection of hardware and software specifically tailored for Leonardo DRS ADFR systems. This hardware and software is needed to download data from the Leonardo DRS ADFR, including if the Leonardo DRS ADFR has been damaged in an accident. The Leonardo DRS ADFR contains flight data and cockpit voice recordings that are critical to NTSB accident investigations. Based on the unique technical capabilities as the only provider of the investigative kits to read Leonardo DRS ADFR systems described herein, a comparable competitor's product has not been identified. Leonardo DRS ADFR systems are new to the market and the NTSB does not currently own the appropriate investigative kit to read these systems. This kit is considered the definitive method of downloading data from the Leonardo DRS ADFR systems. Sources capable of fully satisfying the above requirements are invited to submit capability statements/expressions of interest providing the Government the necessary information to determine actual capability. At a minimum, this information, which must be prepared specifically in response to this notice, shall include: (1) identification of company or organization; (2) an assertion of existing, full capability to meet proposed requirements; (3) business/contracts/marketing office point(s) of contact; (4) notification of business size and /or special status; and (5) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the requirements, if solicited. These expressions of interest shall adhere to a ten (10)-page submission limit plus web links and any specialized product descriptions. The statement of qualifications should include only information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise, and experience to perform the requirements described in this notice. General marketing material should not be included. The NTSB prefers that companies do not submit proprietary material. However, the Government recognizes that proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by NTSB. Parties must submit information within seven (7) calendar days of publication of this notice. NTSB will not return capability statements and the supporting documentation submitted in response to this notice. Telephone responses and inquiries will not be accepted. You may email questions regarding this notice to the issuing office to Janice R. McCoy via email at: contact@example.gov.