NOTICE OF INTENT Merlin Bird Radar with drone detection

The document "Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items" is a government file dated July 2025. This document, marked as CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION, appears to be a procedural guideline or justification framework for acquiring commercial items through sole-source procurements, potentially including brand-name justifications, under simplified procedures. While the provided text is minimal, its title and classification suggest it outlines the conditions and processes for federal government entities to justify non-competitive contracts for specific commercial goods or services. It is relevant to federal government RFPs and grants by detailing an exception to competitive bidding, ensuring accountability and compliance in procurement processes.

This Performance Work Statement outlines the requirements for service and maintenance of the MERLIN™ Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar with Drone Detection system at JBSA Randolph, TX. The agreement covers preventive maintenance, 24/7 technical support, remote monitoring, software upgrades, and repair/replacement of covered parts. The government is responsible for routine daily and semi-annual checks. The contract period is March 11, 2026, to March 10, 2027, with three option years. The document details non-personal services, business relations, personnel administration, subcontract management, and contractor identification. It also specifies installation requirements, deliverables, billing via WAWF, and special requirements for contractor appearance and security. Critical information and operational security measures are emphasized, including restrictions on electronic devices, public discussions of government operations, and unauthorized information disclosure. The contractor must be a U.S. citizen and certified to work on MERLIN™ systems.

The 502d Contracting Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to DeTect Inc. for service and maintenance of the MERLIN JNAT Bird and Drone Detection Radar System. This action, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2302b and FAR Part 12, aims to ensure continuous operation of the MERLIN™ Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar with drone detection, covering both runways and a five-mile radius of the base. This notice is not a request for quotes, but interested parties may submit capabilities statements by February 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time to ying.yang@us.af.mil and lorenzo.martinez.8@us.af.mil. The government will evaluate submissions to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible, with the final decision remaining at their discretion.