Coastal Systems Station, Dahlgren Division, 6703 W. Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32407-7001

58 -- COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND COHERENT RADIATION EQUIPMENT SOL N61331-00-R-0012 POC Buyer-Kevin Soucy, 850-235-5058/C.O.-Carol Dreger, 850-234-4863, FAX 850-234-4251 WEB: synopses, http://www.ncsc.navy.mil/Contracts/Tables/syntable.htm. E-MAIL: contact the contract specialist via e-mail, soucykn@ncsc.navy.mil. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Florida, intends to award a sole-source firm fixed price contract to Raytheon Company, Naval and Maritime Systems, Portsmouth, RI for the production and delivery of two (2) AN/AQS-20 sonar towed bodies for use with the first AN/WLD-1(V)1 systems to be delivered to the U.S. Navy. The AN/WLD-1(V)1 will be a high endurance, offboard system which will be operated and maintained from surface ships. The system will use acoustic and electro-optic sensors housed in a variable depth underwater body for the detection, classification, localization, and identification of mines and mine-like objects. It is anticipated that this will be the only acquisition of AN/AQS-20 towed bodies required for the AN/WLD-1(V)1 development program. It is anticipated that future AN/WLD-1(V)1 production systems will be acquired on a competitive basis. This acquisition is unsuitable for full and open competition for the following reasons. Raytheon is and has been the sole developer of the AQS-20 system since the competitive award of the E&MD phase contract (Contract No. N00024-93-C-6328) in 1992. The AN/AQS-20 sonar will require modification to operate in the AN/WLD-1(V)1 configuration. Currently a complete validated Technical Data Package (TDP) for the AN/AQS-20 is under development but does not exist in form that will support competition. Additionally, the AN/WLD-1(V)1 program schedule requires that the sonars be delivered not later than April of FY03 in order to meet the AN/WLD-1(V)1 test and delivery schedule. It is estimated that approximately 24 months will be required to fabricate and test the sonar towed bodies. Given (1) the complexity of the AN/AQS-20 system, (2) the stringent schedule requirement; and (3) the lack of a validated TDP at this point in the AN/AQS-20 program, Raytheon is considered the only viable source possessing the internal technical data, equipment, and experienced personnel necessary to successfully produce the systems. Use of any other vendor would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government and would negatively impact the AN/WLD-1(V)1 program schedule that, given the limited number of systems being acquired, is not expected to be recovered through competition. Note 22 apllies. Posted 12/01/99 (W-SN404951). (0335)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0181 19991203\58-0006.SOL)