NEEMO_NXT_JOFOC_80JSC019P0039.pdf

Enclosure

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

Pursuant to 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) 2304(c)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 6.302-1

For the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations Neoteric eXploration Technologies (NEEMO NXT) Space Environment Analog for Testing Extravehicular

(EVA) Systems & Training missions

1. 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 with Nuytco Research Ltd for crew training on and rental of the Deep worker mini-submersibles (single and 2-person options available) and Exosuit 1-atmosphere Dive Suit (ADS).

For the remainder of the document Nuytco Research Ltd will be referred to as Nuytco.

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

NEEMO NXT is a marine environment operational test bed where planetary exploration techniques and technologies will be developed in support of astronaut crew training. NASA requires a double pilot deep water submersible vehicle and a deep water mini-submersible vehicle that can be operated by a single pilot while at the same time allowing the pilot to complete science activities using a manipulator. Additionally, NASA requires an atmospheric dive suit that provides the same challenges found in a space suit (e.g., reduced mobility, operator fatigue, reduced visibility) while also offering enough headroom to incorporate state of the art informatics solutions for evaluation. Crewmembers will be trained to operate either the vehicles or both the vehicles and dive suit in order to provide end-operator feedback to the tests. Several days of training are required to effectively and safely pilot the vehicles and dive suit.

As both the mini-submersibles and ADS are fairly heavy, an appropriately rated crane will required for deployment and recovery. Additionally, a small boat is required to follow the ADS from above at all times as it is connected to the surface by a tether and communications cable Another small boat will be required to transfer personnel daily from the shore to the ship where the operations will take place. The Feasibility Mission will last 8-10 days. The total estimated value of this acquisition is $260,000.

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

The statutory authority is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), which permits other than full and open competition “when the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one

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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.”

4. FAR 6.303-2(b)(5)&(9) – A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited and any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition such as:

Nuytco has previously trained astronauts from the U.S. and Canadian Space programs. The current Nuytco training program conforms to NASA’s level of required technical training. In addition to comprehensive training, Nuytco has been approved through multiple levels of NASA led safety reviews including NASA’s strict Hazard Analysis process for a vehicle that will be operated by astronauts. The Hazard analysis process is a NASA requirement prior to crewmember training and use of any vehicle. Given the unique requirements needed, Nuytco is the only company that can provide vehicles and a dive suit capable of fostering similar atmospheric challenges.

Additionally, very few companies in the world make commercial submersibles. Of these, only Nuytco makes vessels that can be operated by a single pilot while at the same time allowing the pilot to complete science activities using a manipulator. Also, these submersibles are certified for safety, less expensive to operate, and suit astronaut training better with less in-field maintenance than other comparable vessels. Additionally Nuytco is the only vendor with the capability to provide both mini-submersible and ADS.

5. 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:

Pursuant to FAR 5.201(b)(1), this action was synopsized on the Government-Wide Point –of- Entry, located at www.FedBizOpps.gov. A Request for Information (RFI) was posted on October 3, 2018, requesting interested organizations to submit their capabilities and qualifications to meet NASA’s minimum requirements. The deadline for submitting a response to the synopsis was April 24, 2019.

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

Nuytco’s crew training, and rental of the Deep worker mini-submersibles, and ADS are commercially available services. The contractor’s proposed price will be evaluated and determined fair and reasonable in accordance with the techniques detailed in FAR 15.404-1. Such techniques include comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid for the same or similar items and comparison of proposed prices with prices obtained through market research for the same or similar items.

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

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In addition to the market research described in the above paragraph 5, NEEMO NXT project leads have determined there are no other submersibles that are as small as the Deepworker, nor are there any other submersibles in its class used by scientists that can be used as a comparison.

The NEEMO NXT team has been involved in maritime operations for many years and is familiar with all of the latest technology and resources available on the market. NEEMO NXT project leads have visited the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, as well as, other submersible manufacturers from the Netherlands (Uboatworx), France (COMEX) and several from the US (Sea Imagine and DeepFlight). NEEMO NXT management also attended the commercial diving and submersible conference (ADC, Association of Diving Contractors) to discuss international submersible operations and costs. The Deepwoker is the only submersible that exists to fully meet the needs of the Government and no other options are available on the market.

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

Nuytco was the only respondent to submit a capabilities statement.

9. 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:

NASA will continue to monitor industry publications, communicate with manufacturers employing submersibles of this size, and continue to research and assess the marketplace for viable alternative sources. NASA will also continue to compare its requirements with the available capabilities to determine industry’s ability to competitively fulfill the requirements for future acquisitions.