JOFOC Power Supplies supporting the TVCIC - Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

Power Supplies supporting the Television Camera Interface Controller

(TVCIC)

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) in Houston, TX.

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

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 for the repair of one and purchase of three Type IV Power Supplies for use in the Television Camera Interface Controller (TVCIC) aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

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):

NASA JSC currently has an approved and certified box-level Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU), the TV Camera Interface Controller (TVCIC), for the International Space Station. In support of the flight certification of the TVCIC, a certification program is required which includes the flight qualification and flight acceptance of the TVCIC power supplies. These power supplies are specifically designed for the use and application with the TVCIC. Century Electronics is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer for this power supply. The company has delivered 8 power supplies of this same type in previous builds. Century Electronics retains the intellectual property required to build the power supply; the Government has no rights to this data. The Century design has been certified and has demonstrated performance on-orbit. It is critical to match the form, fit, function, and electrical characteristics of this power supply. If they are not matched, there will be an inability to integrate the power supply into the system; any difference in the build would require a new qualification, integrated testing with the other components in the assembly, and possibly software modification, thus adding cost, schedule, and risk to the government.

Additionally, NASA requires engineering anomaly resolution for a failed Type IV Power Supply to evaluate the previously used unit, to make repairs, and to address anomalies associated with the power supply for which Century retains the intellectual property. This failed Century unit was returned from the International Space Station (ISS) and needs repair.

Century evaluated the unit to identify needed repairs and is currently in possession of this unit. Due to the proprietary nature of the power supply previously purchased from Century Electronics, the Government is unable to share data with other vendors. The risk of selecting another vendor to repeat a failure investigation without the needed proprietary data will duplicate the cost of this investigation is not acceptable to the Government.

The estimated firm fixed price value of this requirement is $500,000.

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

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 as described below.

The power supplies must be specifically designed for the use and application with the TVCIC. The power supplies are required have the same form, fit, function, and electrical characteristics to meet the performance configuration for the TVCIC.

Century Electronics is the only responsible source and is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer for this power supply. The company delivered 8 power supplies of this same type in previous builds. The Century design has been certified and has demonstrated performance on-orbit. Century retains the intellectual property required to build the power supply. It is critical to match, exactly, the form, fit, function, and electrical characteristics of this power supply. If they are not matched, there will be an inability to integrate the power supply into the system; any difference in the build would require a new qualification, integrated testing with the other components in the assembly, and possibly software modification, thus adding cost, schedule and risk to the government.

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 April 10, 2024 in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to Century Electronics. 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 price analysis will be performed based on historical prices from previous power supply purchases. The price analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable.

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:

Due to the proprietary data associated with the power supplies and Century Electronics being the only source, a formal market survey was not conducted.

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

Due to the proprietary nature of the power supplies being purchased from Century Electronics, the Government is unable to share data with other vendors and the cost of selecting another vendor and altering computer software increases risk to the Government.

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 synopsis was posted on April 10, 2024, and closed April 25, 2024. No companies expressed interest.

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.

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

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