U.S. Navy plans to buy communication/navigation test sets for MQ-4C Triton UAS program

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst intends to solicit and negotiate on a sole-source basis with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp. (CAGE: 92606) for the procurement of Communication/Navigation Test Sets, Part Number (P/N) 90000215, NIIN 01-709-0335, in support of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program.

The Government intends to solicit this requirement under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, in accordance with the policies and procedures located at FAR 12.102. The Communication/Navigation Test Set is specialized support equipment required to perform functional testing, fault isolation, and verification of the MQ-4C Triton’s navigation and communication systems. This equipment is critical to ensuring that avionics components operate within required performance parameters to maintain safe and reliable aircraft operation. Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp. is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the Communication/Navigation Test Set (P/N 90000215, NIIN 01-709-0335), and is the only source with the requisite knowledge, experience, technical expertise and technical data to provide the required equipment. The Government does not possess the technical data, specifications, or manufacturing drawings required to support competition or qualify alternate sources. The proprietary hardware, software, and interface protocols are controlled entirely by the OEM to ensure critical compatibility with the MQ-4C Triton avionics architecture. Developing an alternate source would require cost-prohibitive reverse engineering and validation, introducing unacceptable operational risks and schedule delays. A solicitation will NOT be posted following the close of this notice unless alternate offerors are identified.

This notice is not a request for competitive proposals.

However, the Government will consider all responses received within seventeen (17) days after the date of publication of this synopsis. Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov is mandatory for consideration. A determination by the Government not to open this requirement to competition based on the responses to this notice will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for an award of a contract. Responses must be received within 17 days of publication of this notice via e-mail, no later than the response date identified in this notice to Matthew Melon, matthew.e.melon2.civ@us.navy.mil.