58 -- AN/AAQ-24 Infrared Countermeasures (IRCMs) to be used on MH-53 aircraft

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, 600 Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) for a maximum of five (5) additional AN/AAQ-24 Infrared Countermeasures (IRCMs) to be used on MH-53 aircraft. The basis for the sole source is that procuring other than Northrop Grumman’s existing system, who is the original manufacturer of the existing MH-53 AN/AAQ-24 IRCMs, would result in substantial duplication costs to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. See, FAR 6.302(a)(2)(ii)(A). The Government has already invested $5.6M (contract and internal Government costs) in installing and testing the Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-24 system on the MH-53. Since no other company produces or has the data necessary to produce the AAQ-24 IRCM, any other proposed product would have to be designed to fit on the MH-53 and then completely tested. These duplication costs would not be recouped via competition. See Note 22 for any responses to this announcement.