AN/APX-123A(V) Common Transponder Technical Refresh

Justification and Approval (J&A)

This Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves a sole source modification to a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) for the productionization of the Common Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) Digital Transponder (CXP) Technology Refresh. This effort is an update to the AN/APX-123/123A(V) to address obsolescence and meet National Security Agency (NSA) Cryptographic Modernization 2 (CM2) requirements.

• Productionization of the CXP Technology Refresh, transitioning from lab prototypes to manufactured units.

• Design and fabrication of unique CXP Technology Refresh test equipment and procedures.

• Integration into existing CXP test equipment.

• The action is a modification to BOA N00019-22-G-0009, order number N0001924F1886.

• Estimated cost is provided in a table with funding breakdown by fiscal year (FY25, FY26, FY27) across various appropriations (APN, OPN, OMN, RDT&E, FMS/SDAF).

• This document is a justification for other than full and open competition, not a solicitation for proposals.

• This action is being approved for sole source award to BAE Systems.

• BAE Systems is the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the AN/APX-123/123A(V) CXP and possesses the unique knowledge, experience, and special skills required.

• BAE Systems retains the Technical Data Package (TDP).

• Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost and unacceptable delays due to the need for redesign, qualification, testing, certification, and integration.

• The CXP Technology Refresh is critical for active new air and ship production lines (e.g., CH-53K, P-8A, CVN, DDG, LCS, SSN) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer production lines.

• Market research in October 2022 and November 2024 did not identify alternative "drop-in" replacement CXP systems or other industry sources providing similar products.

• A Sources Sought notice posted on 20 November 2024 received no responses.

• A synopsis for the anticipated contract action was posted on 27 November 2024 with no other manufacturing sources expressing interest.

• The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1).

• The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable.

• NAVAIR will continue to assess the market for future competitive acquisitions.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Class Justification and Approval (CJ&A) for using other than full and open competition. It authorizes the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to issue orders on a sole source basis to BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration under their Corporate Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) for Fiscal Years 2022-2027.

The orders will support Combat Identification Systems (CID) for the U.S. Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Army, Coast Guard, or other agencies. Specific systems include:

• Common Digital Transponder (CXP) systems: AN/APX-117/117A(V), AN/APX-118/118A(V), AN/APX-123/123A(V)
• Digital Interrogator Set (DI) systems: AN/UPX-37, AN/UPX-41(C), AN/UPX-42(C), AN/UPX-45(C), AN/UPX-50
• Combined Interrogator/Transponder (CIT) system: AN/APX-111(V)
• Antenna Group: OE-120()

Services may include certification testing, configuration changes, data analysis, design, manufacturing, installation, software updates, engineering investigations, logistics products, obsolescence mitigation, and repair support.

BAE Systems is the original designer, developer, and manufacturer of these systems. The justification cites substantial duplication of costs if another source were used, as significant non-recurring engineering would be required. NAVAIR does not possess the necessary technical data or rights to competitively award these requirements. BAE Systems is the only known source with the required integration capabilities, technical data, and experience.

Synopses were posted on SAM.gov on June 15, 2021, and amended on December 21, 2021. No responses were received. A waiver for the Sources Sought requirement was approved.

• Authority expires: March 30, 2027
• Funding sources may include OPN, SCN, APN, RDT&E, OCF, OMN, and FMS funds.
• The total estimated cost of orders under this CJ&A is not specified in the provided text.

This document indicates that future orders for these specific CID systems and related services under the BAE Systems Corporate BOA will be sole-source. Potential bidders for these systems should note that direct competition is not planned due to the justification provided.