Tab_17_-_JEFO_CogComm_Networks2019_Redacted.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

GLENN RESEARCH CENTER (GRC)

CLEVELAND, OHIO

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

PR_____TBD_________

I. Description of Requirement

I recommend that GRC issue an order on a noncompetitive basis to MTI Systems, Inc. under Contract No. NNC15BA17B for Cognitive Networking Development (R&D).

The Cognitive Communications project is a communications technology development project funded by the Space Communications and Navigation Program within the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) at NASA Headquarters (HQ). The purpose of the project is to identify and develop next-generation communications technologies that enhance user data return and/or reduce operations cost, with a specific focus towards applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The Cognitive Communications project operates the SCaN Testbed, which is a software-defined radio (SDR) payload installed on the International Space Station (ISS). SCaN Testbed includes both a Flight System and a Ground System known as the Ground Integration Unit (GIU). SCaN Testbed contains 3 SDRs with Linux and VxWorks operating systems, an avionics computer running VxWorks, and a variety of RF hardware for communications experiments.

One aspect of the Cognitive Communications project: development of intelligent routing and networking capabilities, also known as NASA InTelligent ROuting (NITRO). The NITRO capability is envisioned as an extension of existing Internet Protocol, Delay Tolerant, and Secure Networking capabilities. Specifically, NITRO envisions a network which is adaptive, autonomous, optimized across network layers, secure, and scalable.

with MTI Systems, Inc. under RTAPS 2 contract, NNC15BA17B.

II. Regulatory Basis for Exception to Fair Opportunity

The regulatory exception permitting other than fair opportunity is:

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) -The supplies or services are a logical follow-on to previously-issued orders NNC16JA12T and 80GRC018F0014, under the aforementioned contract, and the agency’s best interests will be served in terms of economy and efficiency.

All contractors were given a fair opportunity to compete for the original order, NNC16JA12T in 2016.

III. Rationale In Support of Statutory Authority

This task order is the third task order being issued to perform research and development for cognitive networking techniques. The previous task (contract NNC15BA17B, task order NNC16JA12T) was competed on the RTAPS contract and MTI Systems, Inc., was selected from the three contractors that responded to the RFP. Prior to NNC16JA12T, a similar task (contract NNC15BA17B, task order NNC16JA02T) was competed on the RTAPS contract and again MTI Systems, Inc., was selected from the two contractors that responded to the RFP.

Per FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C), MTI Systems, Inc. is the logical supplier of continued research and development efforts related to cognitive networking. Similar work has been fairly and openly competed in the previous two years and MTI Systems, Inc. was selected in both cases.

Further, MTI Systems, Inc. is most qualified to continue R&D using the software and systems developed in previous task orders; an award to a different company would incur time and cost studying or re-developing work already completed.

IV. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost

The vendor will be required to submit a proposal to be evaluated by the Contracting Officer and COR, with support from internal Price Analysts and external organizations (e.g. DCAA, DCMA) as needed. The guidance and techniques specified at FAR 15.404 and NFS

1815.404 will be followed during the proposal evaluation. If appropriate, price analysis and technical analysis per FAR 15.404-1(b) and (e), and NFS 1815.404-1(e) will be performed to determine and negotiate a fair and reasonable price. If price analysis is not appropriate, then cost analysis and technical analysis, per FAR 15.404-1(c) and (e), and NFS 1815.404-1(e) will be performed to determine and negotiate a fair and reasonable price.

V. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition

Similar work has been fairly and openly competed on RTAPS in the previous two years and MTI Systems, Inc. was selected in both cases.

The specific reasons for selection are procurement sensitive and can be found in the source selection memos (see NNC15BA17B tasks NNC16JA12T and NNC16JA02T). Given that no new contractors have been added to RTAPS and the scope of work is similar to previous RFIs, it is highly unlikely that the outcome of open competition would change in this case.