SBIR Phase III Topic N04-174 entitled "EF-18 Electronic Combat Automation

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE III JUSTIFICATION & APPROVAL FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1. Contracting Activity. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Lakehurst, NJ 2. Nature/Description of the Action Being Approved. This is a justification to award a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) order to GBL Systems Corporation (GBL), Camarillo, CA. GBL and System of Systems Analytics, Inc were awarded SBIR Phase I contract number N00178-05-C-3063 on 22 Sept 2005, and N00178-05-C-3067 on 27 June 2005 respectively, resulting from Solicitation 04.2, Topic N04-174 entitled "EF-18 Electronic Combat Automation." GBL was awarded SBIR Phase II contract number N00178-06-C-3051 on 25 August 2006. GBL was subsequently awarded SBIR Phase II.5 contract number N68335-09-C-0177 on 31 March 2009. GBL was subsequently awarded SBIR Phase III BOA number N68335-15-G-0026 on 15 October 2015, under which two delivery orders have been awarded on 15 October 2015, and 21 December 2016. Topic N04-174 sought the development of advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) combat functions required on Airborne Electronic Attack platforms to be performed automatically in an unscripted fashion. This effort developed an Electronic Combat Decision Support System that allowed advanced intelligent agent teamwork and coordination of strike / support groups in achieving their missions in a complex physical, tactical, and electromagnetic environment with far less resources than previously required. The technology draws from Distributed Artificial Intelligence utilizing an intelligent agents framework and advanced EW visualization / decision aids. 3. Description of Supplies/Services. This Phase III effort derives from the Phase I, II, and III efforts described in paragraph 2. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division has been designated as Lead Capability Integrator for the F-35 Reprogramming Center - West (RC West) and as such, desires to reduce risk through a focused development effort associated with Mission Data File (MDF) development, test, and evaluation processes. This effort is to perform the appropriate research and development to support the integration of critical SBIR technologies that will reduce risk by improving user interaction with MDF development, test, and evaluation tools at the Joint Reprogramming Enterprise facilities. Tasks include performing MDF development related applications survey and needs assessment and analysis; define MDF development tool requirements; expand prototype applications framework that supports MDF development decision aids and automation components of SBIR related technologies; perform core technology demonstration including MDF development and test and evaluation instrumentation in a dynamically adaptable test environment; analyze and report demonstration results including assessment of future adaptations and evolution of the technology; and provide technical support to RC-West. The deliverables of this project are various analysis, definition, derivation, validation, and verification of MDF Development Tool requirements; design and development of an MDF Development Tool effort interface and tools. Other deliverables include reports and technical support. This effort will be Delivery Order N68335-18-F-0004 under BOA N68335-15-G-0026. 4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), as implemented by FAR 6.302-5: Authorized or Required by Statute. 15 U.S.C. 638(r)(1) states: "In the case of a small business concern that is awarded a funding agreement for Phase II of an SBIR or STTR program, a Federal agency may enter into a Phase III agreement with that business concern for additional work to be performed during or after the Phase II period." Furthermore, 15 U.S.C. 638(r)(4) states: "To the greatest extent practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology." 5. Demonstration that Proposed Contractor's Unique Qualifications or Nature of Acquisition Requires Use of Authority Cited. The nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited. The SBIR/STTR Programs are structured in three phases. Phase I (project feasibility) determines the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of the ideas submitted. Phase II (project development to prototype) is the major research and development effort, funding the prototyping and demonstration of the most promising Phase I projects. Phase III (commercialization) is the ultimate goal of the SBIR/STTR Programs. Because the Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I, II, and III, use of the authority cited is required. 6. Description of Efforts Made to Ensure Offerors Were Solicited From as Many Potential Sources as Practicable/Public Notification through Government Point of Entry (GPE). The topic for this effort was included in the Department of Defense Program Competitive Solicitation issued under the SBIR Program. As described above, only GBL is being considered for Phase III award due to the nature of the acquisition. In accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(7), this proposed contract action does not require public notification to the GPE. 7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost. The Contracting Officer will determine prior to award that the negotiated price of the contract executed under this justification is fair and reasonable pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4. This determination will be documented in a Business Clearance Memorandum, which will be included in the contract file. 8. Description of Market Research or Statement of the Reason Market Research was not Conducted. FAR 10.001(a)(2) indicates that market research appropriate to the circumstances must be conducted. SBIR Phase III procurements are such that traditional market research to identify alternative sources is generally unnecessary. As described above, the Phase III work derives from, extends, or completes efforts performed under Phase I and Phase II. 9. Any Other Supporting Facts. Not Applicable. 10. Listing of Interested Sources. Not Applicable. 11. Actions Taken to Remove Barriers to Future Competition: The Contracting Officer anticipates that competitors will enter the market once the product is commercialized. It is likely that future acquisitions will be competed using full and open competition and commercial item acquisition procedures. The Contracting Officer is not aware of any specific actions that would further remove barriers to competition. 12. Period of Performance. Base: 12 months Option(s): 36 months (Three one-year each Option periods) 13. Total Estimated Dollar Value of the Acquisition Covered by this Justification, with Funding Specified by Year and Appropriation: Estimated Dollar Value in Thousands 14. Actions Attempted to Make Immediate Acquisition Competitive and Cost/Benefit Analysis. No actions were attempted to make the immediate acquisition competitive; no cost/benefit analysis was performed. As described above, only GBL is being considered for Phase III award due to the nature of the acquisition.