DATA FUSION/ AI

2.􀀃 Description of the Action Being Approved:
This follow-on Justification and Approval (J&A) authorizes and approves the issuance of a follow-on sole source,
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract to AM Pierce & Associates, Inc., a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB),
under the provisions of FAR 19.1506 Women-Owned Small Business Program sole source awards. This contract will
provide critical resources to support the high demand for unique autonomy, Data Fusion (DF), Artificial Intelligence
(AI), and Machine Learning (ML) technologies as applied to Naval Aviation systems.
3.􀀃 Description of Supplies or Services:
This requirement will provide critical engineering and technical services to the NAWCAD Advanced Technology Development (ATD) Department to meet the increasing demand signal from its customers. The customer base
includes but is not limited to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the United States Air
Force, the United States Army, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and various other intelligence agencies. To
meet the customer demands, this requirement will require resources with the requisite skills, expertise, and
experience in autonomy, data analytics, AI/ML and DF technologies specifically applied to Naval Aviation and
Department of Defense Manned and Unmanned Platforms. To successfully support the NAWCAD ATD Deparment, the contractor must have demonstrated capability and expertise in the research, development,
integration and evaluation of AI/ML and DF technology solutions and tools applied specifically to naval aviation
manned and unmanned aircraft and mission operations.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition:
10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5), Authorized or Required by Statute, as implemented at FAR 6.302-5. The specific statute
applicable to this procurement is 15 U.S.C. 637(m), Sole Source Awards under the WOSB Program, as implemented
at FAR 19.1506.
5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority:
FAR 19.1506(b) requires a contracting officer to consider a contract award to a WOSB concerns on a sole source basis
before considering small business set-asides provided:
1. The acquisition is assigned a North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code in which the
SBA has determined that WOSB concerns are underrepresented in Federal Procurement;
2. The contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that offers would be received from two (2) or
more WOSB concerns;
3. The anticipated award price, including options, will not exceed $4.5M;
4. The WOSB concern has been determined to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance; and
5. Award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.