Description
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 First RF Corporation (FRC), Boulder, CO. FRC was awarded SBIR Phase I contract number M67854-07-C-0023 on 15 February 2007 resulting from Solicitation 06.2, topic N06-106 entitled "On The Move (OTM) Ku/Ka Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Capability for the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV)." FRC was subsequently awarded SBIR Phase II contract number M67854-08-C-0026 on 27 May 2008. FRC was awarded SBIR Phase III BOA number N68335-17-G-0050 on 17 August 2017, and this will be the first order under the BOA. Topic N06-106 sought to develop, c oupled with existing and future Ku/Ka band antenna technology, a light weight low volume Ku/Ka SATCOM high data rate OTM communications antenna and transceiver capability for the EFV and other Department of Defense combat ground vehicles as applicable. Phase I sought to utilize existing vehicle drawings and link budget analysis to determine an antenna configuration and associated Radio Frequency system that could support the necessary data rates, provide coverage across all azimuths of the vehicle (minimal to no blocked zones) and still fit within existing open areas. Then using this information, the contractor would design a family of solution sets that individually optimize against each of the following parameters: Cost; Throughput; Radar Cross Section; and Physical Size/Weight. Phase II sought to build one or more prototype systems for concept development, proof of viability, and field testing aboard the EFV. 3. Description of Supplies/Services. This Phase III effort derives from the Phase I and II efforts described in paragraph 2, and is to provide PMA-276 with four repackaged Full Motion Video (FMV) antenna panels that are representative of a potential production antenna to be mounted on the nose of Navy aircraft. While existing technology will be leveraged to produce the four forward antennas, the repackaging effort will require the updates to the passive antenna layout and associated structure. In addition to the passive antenna work, the thermal management of the active RF components will also need to be evaluated and integrated into the available mounting location. The deliverables of this project include two preliminary forward facing antenna systems. The deliverables also include four flight-ready forward facing antenna systems for aircraft installation. Delivery shall include updated software, graphical user interface, and firmware. This effort will be order number N68335-18-F-0003 under BOA number N68335-17-G-0050. 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 and II, 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 FRC 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: 10 months Option(s): Two options three month each. 13. Total Estimated Dollar Value of the Acquisition Covered by this Justification, with Funding Specified by Year and Appropriation: 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 FRC is being considered for Phase III award due to the nature of the acquisition .