15. 80MSFC17C0012-JOFOC-Mod 17-Phase E Extension 11272023 FEC.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (MSFC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Contract 80MSFC17C0012

1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303-2(b)(1) – Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Justification for other than full and open competition.”

This document is a justification for other than full and open competition prepared by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

2. FAR 6.303-2(b)(2) – The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition to award a new work modification to contract number 80MSFC17C0012 with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Project. The current period of performance ends December 31, 2023, and this action looks to extend the contract through September 30, 2025 to coincide with the 20-month extension granted to the IXPE project overall as part of the General Observer (GO) program and to allow for the continuing of the effort already being performed by the contractor. The NASA Astrophysics Director signed the IXPE extension memorandum dated June 6, 2023, stating the IXPE mission will be extended by 20 months from February 2024 through September 30, 2025.

3. FAR 6.303-2(b)(3) – A description of the supplies or services required, to meet the Agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

The IXPE project was competitively selected through NASA’s Announcement of Opportunity (AO) process: AO-NNH14ZDA0130, 2014 Small Explorer (SMEX). IXPE submitted a Step-1 proposal in December 2014 and was notified of final selection as a NASA project on January 4, 2017. The selection of IXPE represents the largest scientific spacecraft development project in the past eighteen years at MSFC, as well as MSFC’s largest competitively selected science mission ever. MIT’s unique knowledge and specialized technical capabilities make them the only known source.

The IXPE project is continuing its study of X-ray production in stellar object, including neutron stars, nebulae and supermassive black holes. To that end, IXPE seeks to maintain and develop its current lines of communication for the proper and efficient selection of stellar targets for Director Discretionary Time (DDT) observation as well as the continued development of neural networking techniques to improve IXPE’s polarization sensitivity.

The current contract period of performance is September 6, 2017 through January 2, 2024.

The NASA Astrophysics Director signed an IXPE extension memorandum dated June 6, 2023, stating the IXPE mission will be extended by 20 months from February 2024 through September 30, 2025. This action seeks to extend the period of performance by 20 months through September 30, 2025. The estimated cost of the extension is $508,612.

4. FAR 6.303-2(b)(4) – An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.

3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. MIT’s unique knowledge and specialized technical capabilities make them the only known source.

5. FAR 6.303-2(b)(5) – A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as described below.

MIT’s experience with the IXPE project will ensure continuing synergy between all of the other IXPE contracts. The MIT Lead is a co-chair of the IXPE Science Analysis and Simulations Working Group. In this role, MIT is closely involved with the development of techniques for analysis of IXPE data and plays a pivotal role in the continued development of those techniques. MIT’s unique knowledge and specialized technical capabilities make them the only known source. This involvement and synergy with the other IXPE contracts would be lost with a new contractor. Removing MIT and their unique insight and technical capabilities would create a significant delay and loss of quality of inputs to the project.

It is estimated that it would take a minimum of 6 months to select and transition to another contractor, resulting in a substantial duplication of cost and a commensurate delay in the ability to continue IXPE’s scientific observations. This delay would result in a period of unrecoverable science loss. As the incumbent, MIT is uniquely positioned to ensure continuity with no loss of science opportunity.

6. FAR 6.303-2(b)(6) – A description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

A notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) was published October 11, 2023 through October 26, 2023, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source extension to MIT. The results of this synopsis are summarized in Section 10 below.

7. FAR 6.303-2(b)(7) – A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The Contracting Officer’s signature on this document indicates that the Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. The Contractor shall be required to submit a proposal to be evaluated and negotiated by the Government. Prior to execution of the contractual instrument, a proposal analysis will be performed. The proposal analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable. The negotiation and establishment of a fair and reasonable price will be done in accordance with FAR Part 15. The Contracting Officer will utilize historical pricing and perform a comparison against the same or similar items in order to determine the reasonableness of the price.

8. FAR 6.303-2(b)(8) – Description of the market research conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted:

This procurement action is an extension of the ongoing competitively awarded Announcement of Opportunity which was selected by NASA (AO-NNH14ZDA0130, 2014 Small Explorer (SMEX). No additional market research was conducted beyond that conducted at contract award.

9. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

There are no technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition.

10. FAR 6.303-2(b)(10) – A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition:

A notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) was published October 11, 2023 through October 26, 2023, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source extension to MIT.

Two interested parties requested consideration:

• KPaul: a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business was determined not relevant as their focus was on IT solutions.

• The Bailey Collaborative Solutions (BCS): BCS is a Small Business and HUBZone

Certified. The BCS capability statement was provided to the IXPE contractors for their consideration in subcontracting opportunities.

A draft solicitation will not be issued.

11. FAR 6.303-2(b)(11) – A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

There are no other actions the Agency may take to remove or overcome barriers to competition. The Agency will continue to examine the market in the future for alternative solutions or new sources before executing any subsequent acquisitions for the same requirements.

Digitally signed by

KEVIN HIX KEVIN HIX

Date: 2023.11.22 12:52:36 -06'00'

Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Contract 80MSFC17C0012

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

I certify that the facts presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Kevin D. Hix (ST14) Technical Representative

CONCURRENCE

Digitally signed by Mary Cooper Date: 2023.11.27 09:46:11 -06'00'

Kathryn Cooper (PS51) Contracting Officer

APPROVED

Jennifer B. McCaghren (PS50) Division Director

Mary Cooper