JOFOC_19-17_MBA_15Jul2019_redacted.pdf

JOFOC No. 19-17 Purchase Request No. 4200698843

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Armstrong Flight Research Center P. O. Box 273 Edwards, California 93523-0273

2. Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1

3. Description of the supplies or services required, including an estimated value:

The requirements of this acquisition involve technical assessments, ground tests, and system evaluations necessary to validate the design and integration of the US16LN-2 ejection seat and Interseat Sequencing System (ISS) into the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD) X-59 aircraft in order to increase the likelihood of survival in the event of an ejection; and to also maximize system qualification by similarity to the T-38A/N aircraft.

NASA has modified the US16LN-2 seats with expanded Emergency Oxygen System (EOS) capacity (manufacturer designation US16LNX) with negligible impacts on ejection performance, as assessed by Martin-Baker Aircraft (MBA) Company. NASA has responsibility for final certification of the emergency oxygen system modification, however ground tests and evaluations performed by MBA are required to ensure the complete and successful integration of the seat and ISS into the X-59 aircraft.

For the purposes of this JOFOC, the designations US16LN-2 and US16LNX are used interchangeably.

NASA intends to award a sole source contract to Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited, Lower Road, Uxbridge, UB9 5AJ, United Kingdom

The total estimated contract value is

4. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

This requirement will be procured under statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) per Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

NASA selected Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company of Palmdale, California, to complete construction of the LBFD aircraft. In an attempt to reduce cost to the government, NASA will provide Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) in support of the LBFD aircraft contract, to include ejection seats. The current crew station design, and current requirement, incorporates the MBA Mk16 USLN16-2, T-38 aft ejection seat. NASA has contracted MBA under 80AFRC18P0004 to overhaul three (3) ejection seats for the LBFD Project.

JOFOC No. 19-17 Purchase Request No. 4200698843

The LBFD Escape System Development effort consists of the ground tests and evaluations necessary to support the integration of the US16LN-2 (US16LNX) ejection seat and ISS into the X-59 aircraft. NASA requires the Contractor to perform technical assessments, ground tests, and system evaluations necessary to validate the design and integration of the US16LN- 2 (US16LNX) ejection seat and ISS into the X-59 aircraft. MBA is the sole manufacturer of these seats, has the unique technical knowledge, design personnel, facilities, maintenance personnel, and engineering support organization needed to accomplish the requirement. MBA is the only Contractor who can provide the specialized engineering, mechanical, and manufacturing experience to meet this requirement.

6. 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.202:

MBA is the sole manufacturer of these seats, has the unique technical knowledge, design personnel, facilities, maintenance personnel, and engineering support organization needed to accomplish the requirement. A notice of contract action will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website for this acquisition to determine if other vendors have comparable expertise and experience as MBA.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The Government expects to obtain fair and reasonable pricing by performing price analysis of the submitted proposal. The Government will evaluate the proposal for compliance with the required FAR and NFS terms and conditions. A technical analysis will be performed to ensure the requirements are met. The contractor will not be required to submit certified cost and pricing data pursuant to the exception at FAR 15.403-1(b)(3).

8. Description of the market research conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted:

The current crew station design, and current aircraft design requirement, incorporates the MBA Mk16 USLN16-2, T-38 aft ejection seat. As stated, MBA is the sole manufacturer of these seats and is the only vendor who can provide the specialized engineering, mechanical, and manufacturing experience to meet this requirement. NASA has verified that MBA does not have any partners or suppliers that can perform this requirement.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

The X-59 aircraft incorporates the T-38 canopy and associated canopy mechanisms, as well as the MBA Mk16 USLN16-2, T-38 aft ejection seat. NASA requires minimal changes to the implementation of the T-38 aft crew station into the LBFD aircraft so as to minimize ejection system ground test and qualification costs. This provides the background of why the Mk16 seat is both the current proposed design as well as the stated requirement for the LBFD aircraft.

10. Sources, if any, that expressed an interest, in writing, in the acquisition: