Sole Source to Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company to Acquire 35 EA. Ejector Release Mechanisms-- See All Attachments.

Sole Source to Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company to Acquire 35 EA. of Ejector Release Mechanisms for the Multi Mission Buoy (MMB). MK68 EJECTOR RELEASE MECHANISMS E4000-3361-1-PBOF ERM Linear Actuator, Part Number N83361-1 Quantity: 35 EACH

The NSWC PCD has a requirement to acquire MK68 Ejector Release Mechanisms for the Multi Mission Buoy (MMB). This purchase is not suitable for full and open competition for the following reasons.

a) Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) is the sole developer and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) this item. As such they are the only source with sufficient knowledge of the linear actuator design and functionality to supply the component.

b) After extensive testing in other relevant undersea weapon systems, non-successful testing of other actuator systems, and trade studies conducted by the development team, these actuators were designed into the MMB’s Anchor Separation Mechanism which created the system design. Replacing the actuators with another product or manufacturer will not only duplicate the effort and delay the delivery of the MMB due to required system redesign, Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and extensive testing, resulting in significant schedule delay and increase requirements of funding. The replacement will introduce undefined interface risks.

c) The Government did not purchase or acquire the rights in data and design or a technical data package (TDP) for these items because they are commercial items developed to support the aerospace and defense industry at large. EBAD is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. As such, the Government does not expect significant savings through competition, and it is more advantageous for the Government to award on a sole source basis to EBAD.