Special Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source Motorola

Special Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source:
Reference Number: FA460825QS048

The 2nd Contracting Squadron, Barksdale AFB, intends to award a sole source firm fixed-priced contract to Motorola Solutions, for modernizing the P25 ASTRO 25 USAF Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system at Barksdale AFB, LA.

USAF requires reliable internet services to support operations at Barksdale AFB, LA. The specific requirements include high-speed internet access with guaranteed bandwidth, 24/7 technical support, and secure network connectivity that is fully integrated with the existing P25 ASTRO 25 Enterprise Land Mobile Radio (ELMR) system. This integration is critical for maintaining seamless communication and interoperability for base operations. This requirement must be completed 100% by a single company, and subcontracting is not in the best interest of the Government.

An extended description of the product being acquired is as follows:
This procurement action is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b) and FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i), which states that contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available. The justification for sole sourcing to Motorola Solutions is as follows: These internet services are directly and critically integrated with the existing P25 ASTRO 25 ELMR system. Motorola Solutions was contacted regarding potential small business subcontracting opportunities for the P25 ASTRO 25 ELMR system modernization. The company responded stating that there are currently no 100% subcontracting opportunities available for this scope of work due to the specialized and proprietary nature of the ASTRO 25 system. Motorola Solutions further elaborated that P25 ASTRO 25 systems are exclusively manufactured, serviced, and installed by Motorola Solutions with access restricted to Motorola-certified technicians who possess the required security clearances and technical certifications to work on this classified communications infrastructure.
Motorola Solutions confirmed that they directly employ factory-trained technicians to perform the specialized installation, configuration, and optimization work required for ASTRO 25 systems supporting mission-critical operations.
The required internet services must be seamlessly integrated with the P25 ASTRO 25 system, and only Motorola Solutions has the proprietary knowledge and certified personnel necessary to ensure this integration meets the stringent security and performance requirements. Furthermore, due to the criticality and complexity of integrating these internet services with the P25 ASTRO 25 system, the Government has determined that this requirement must be completed 100% by a single company. Subcontracting introduces unacceptable risks to system security and performance due to potential communication breakdowns, lack of consistent technical expertise, and difficulties in maintaining end-to-end system integrity. Subcontracting is, therefore, not in the best interest of the Government. Moving forward, Air Force Global Strike Command and the contracting squadron will continue to monitor the marketplace for any changes to this requirement and potential authorized resellers or alternative communication technologies. However, due to the proprietary nature of the P25 ASTRO 25 system and the critical security requirements for this classified communications infrastructure, it is highly unlikely that competitive conditions will change without a complete replacement of the existing Enterprise Land Mobile Radio system.

*This notice does not constitute a solicitation document. Requests for such documents will not be considered. However, all information received after publication of this notice will be considered SOLELY for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be evaluated as to confirm or deny the decision to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. The Government will not pay for information received. Firms who desire to challenge this sole source action must submit an interest letter (email is acceptable) that demonstrates technical expertise, certifications, and authorization to compete for this acquisition. The letter must describe clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government and will not be cost or time prohibitive. *

Any questions regarding this acquisition should be directed to:
Contracting Specialist: SrA Jonathan Schrank; (318) 456-6840; jonathan.schrank@us.af.mil
Contracting Officer: Sheronda Stewart; (318) 456-3450; sheronda.stewart.1@us.af.mil