80GRC023CA023 - Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC).pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Glenn Research Center (GRC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For 80GRC023CA023

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) Glenn Research Center.

The procuring agency is NASA and the contracting activity is GRC.

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 sole-source contract, 80GRC023CA023, with RAND Corporation for a study that will assess national capabilities, specifically the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT), and needs for ground test facilities (wind tunnels) used for addressing aeroelasticity issues of flight vehicles over the next 10 years.

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 study is comprised of the following tasks:

a) Surveying the current transonic (aeroelasticity testing) wind tunnel capabilities in the U.S: On the supply side, the study will start by looking at current wind tunnel facilities operated by NASA and the DoD, as well as major U.S. commercial and academic facilities. It will consider the current status of the facilities, as well as any near- to mid-term plans that may increase or reduce related capabilities and capacity.

In addition, as the TDT uses a heavy gas (R-134-a) that will be more environmentally regulated, an assessment of what type of gas (air or other gas) are being used by facilities should be identified along with associated benefits and challenges. This task will be based on a thorough review of existing reports and analyses, visits to key NASA and DoD facilities, discussions with subject-matter experts, and a survey of facility operators.

b) Foresight of transonic (aeroelasticity testing) wind tunnel needs: On the demand side, the study will generate a foresight capturing potential national RDT&E activities in the transonic (aeroelasticity testing) regime over the next decade. From these potential activities, the study will then outline the potential types of needs for transonic (aeroelasticity testing) tunnels. Historically, NASA, the DoD, and industry have trouble predicting what programs will be in existence in 5–10 years---let alone forecasting actual testing requirements for current programs beyond the next 6–12 months. Thus, the study will develop a foresight picture of the kinds of transonic (aeroelasticity testing) research and programs that might be started in the next 10 years and what kind of fundamental types of testing such activities may need. This foresight will be based on discussions with subject-matter experts within NASA, DoD and industry, existing information, plans, first principles, team-member expertise. Brief assessments about what has changed from the last RAND report will also be provided. Due to the uncertainties involved, the results from this task will span a range of potential futures, yielding a picture of the possible rather than trying to forecast the future.

c) Assess and qualify needs for the Langley TDT: Based on the insights from the previous tasks, the study will then assess the effect of the findings from Tasks 1–2 on potential demands for the Langley TDT. Based on any readily available pricing data from NASA and the DoD, this effort will include a review of comparative costs associated with potential testing needs for the Langley TDT or satisfying those same needs in alternative capabilities. It will also lay out basic status options (ready, standby, mothball, reactivation, abandonment, or demolition) and cost based on any readily available pricing data from NASA. The study should also make a high-level assessment of the potential availability of the non-NASA facilities for NASA use and national implications to vehicle development if testing capability of remaining assets have availability issues. It will involve review of relevant materials and discussions with subject-matter experts, as well as a site visit to the Langley TDT. Cost analysis will depend on whether such pricing data are readily available and detailed cost data will not be independently verified, collected, or assessed.

d) Supporting meetings and site visits: In support of all previous tasks, members of the research team will attend selected, relevant conferences and meetings to obtain insights into current developments and in order to facilitate access to a large number of potential SMEs. NASA POC for SMEs will be provided.

e) Conclusions and final report: Finally, the study will summarize the insights gained during this effort and document our findings in a report to supporting NASA planning, decision-making, and investments.

The total estimated cost of this effort is $500,000 and the estimated period of performance 10 months.

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.

2304(c), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

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. 2304(a)(1) is the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the agency; as described below.

NASA Headquarters, Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense have used the RAND Corporation to conduct comprehensive studies in regard to wind tunnels and aeronautics testing infrastructure. A literature search will find several RAND studies in this area. As such they have a solid basis to start building the assessment for the current study. In 2020 RAND Corporation was awarded a similar study under contract 80GRC020F0120 (via JOFOC justification) entitled “National Needs for NASA High-Speed Supersonic Ground Test Capabilities.”

There would be a negative impact to the government if another organization is used.

Having the subject study be conducted by another organization will impose both financial impacts and a extended time to complete. The longer duration would stem from lack of prior supporting studies and connections within NASA and Department of Defense who own, operate, and use wind tunnels. The longer duration will translate in additional cost for a study.

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 on May 4, 2023, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to RAND Corporation. 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.

This contract is expected to be a firm fixed price. The cost proposal will be compared to similar items on the market.

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:

In accordance with FAR 5.2, a description of this requirement was posted to the GPE website (SAM.gov) on May 4, 2023 and closed on May 19, 2023. The results are as follows: no responses were submitted. Thus, RAND Corporation is the only contractor who can meet all requirements.

NASA Headquarters, Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense have used the RAND Corporation to conduct comprehensive studies in regard to wind tunnels and aeronautics testing infrastructure. A literature search will find several RAND studies in this area. As such they have a solid basis to start building the assessment for the current study.

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

None

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 of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source action was synopsized on the GPE website (SAM.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2 (see Section 6 above). The notice was published on May 4, 2023 for the fifteen (15) day posting requirement, and the industry was welcomed to challenge the sole source approach until May 19, 2023. This posting can be found at https://sam.gov/opp/a859733d9e434e7cb1a1c5f320644bfe/review.

This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole source; the Contracting Officer did not receive any challenges of the Government’s intent to sole source the requirement herein.

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:

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.