80KSC021Q0016 JOFOC Final - Redacted.pdf

Rev.:01/2021

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Sonic Systems Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks

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) Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is KSC.

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 for the acquisition of two (2) aqueous solution cleaning/degreasing tank systems with ultrasonic capability for commercial scale cleaning of hardware and components. The acquisition requires fabrication of new degreasing tank systems, removal of existing tank systems, and installation of new tank systems at KSC’s Component Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis Facility (CRCA). The recommended source of supply is Sonic Systems, Inc. 204 Railroad Drive, Warminster, PA 18974. The proposed action will be a firm-fixed price contract.

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 two ultrasonic tanks are used for aqueous solution cleaning/degreasing of flight components and hardware for precision cleaning operations in support of launch and landing efforts at the KSC CRCA (K6-1696).The existing tanks are 24 years old and were manufactured by Sonic Systems, Inc. Replacement parts are no longer available for necessary repairs. The housing on one of the pump units recently cracked with no option for repair when it fails.

Each ultrasonic tank holds a processing solution volume of ~290 gallons, is equipped with a hydro-air spray wand, and is compatible with existing facility connections including the facility-supplied 100 psig gaseous nitrogen. The existing facility infrastructure was customized for the Sonic Systems tanks, therefore; no facility modifications will be needed to accommodate the current Sonic Systems models.

The complete tank system shall include:

(1) Console – 316L stainless steel 14 gauge, 304 or 316L stainless steel side panels and access doors, approximate overall dimensions; 113” X 54” X 48” high, leveling pads adjustable (3”), 16 gauge 304 stainless steel lid,

(2) Tanks – inside dimensions 65” X 36” x 36” deep (processing solution value ~290 gallons, radius internal corners, overflow weir at 20” height, support rail, sloping bottom for drain (2” ball valve at low point drain), recessed skimmer spillway, sump with sludge removal drain, quick disconnects, low and high level sensors, hydro air spray wand, stainless steel immersion heater, pump and filtration,

(3) Ultrasonic Transducers – submersible type (14 gauge, 316L stainless steel) approximate dimensions 16” X 15” X 3”, internally, piezoelectric transducers, vacuum brazed (100% nickel) combined output of 9600 watts,

(4) Ultrasonic Generators – remote (solid state), rack mountable, frequency of 27 kHz +/- 2 random sweep, variable output, four independent operating zones,

(5) Generator Rack Enclosure – houses generators in two enclosures, houses transformer and associated electronics, located remote from unit, ~25” of interconnecting cable, NEMA- 12,

(6) Controls – manual push button and switches for system functions, manual and automatic valves, digital thermostats, digital timers, system readout via HMI, and System Requirements - 480VAC, 3 phase, 60 Hz 90 Amps.

The lead time for fabricating, removal, and installation is 20-36 weeks. The estimated value for this effort is .

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)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 which permits contracting without providing for full and open competition when the supplies 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 supplies or services will satisfy the needs of the Agency.

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:

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(ii), the Agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by unique supplies that are available from only one or a limited number of sources or from only one or a limited number of suppliers with unique capabilities. The rationale supporting 6.302-1(b)(1)(ii) is described below.

No other supplier can provide two ultrasonic tanks meeting the technical requirements described in Section 3 above. The manufacturer, Sonic Systems, Inc., is the only supplier of the highly customized ultrasonic cleaning tanks specifically modified to support the facility infrastructure at KSC. Replacement systems not unique to the Sonic System, Inc. brand would require extensive facility modifications. Major revisions to approximately 5700 standard operating procedures would need to take place in order to support a different system. Additionally, personnel would need to be re-trained on all new equipment if another brand were selected. The overall additional costs of selecting a brand other than Sonic Systems, Inc. would be significant 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) will be published in accordance with (IAW) FAR Subpart 5.2. Any responses received as a result of the published notice, will be appropriately dispositioned and documented in an addendum to this document.

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.

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

A Sources Sought notice was issued on SAM.gov respectively from 6/16/21 through 7/01/21 to identify potential sources in the market who may be capable of providing the customer’s brand name requirement. On 6/29/21, one vendor, SevereClean, responded to the sources sought notice and provided their capabilities package for review. The vendor’s capabilities package was reviewed by and determined that their equipment would not meet KSC’s technical specifications and would not be compatible with KSC’s existing infrastructure including pressurized gases, water, and power inputs and standard operating procedures. Facility modifications to accommodate another type of ultrasonic cleaning tank would be costly and time consuming. The market research results concluded that Sonic Systems, Inc. is the sole provider of their brand. This acquisition will be a sole source directly to Sonic Systems, Inc.

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 (beta.sam.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2 (See Section 6 above).

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 vast majority of KSC services and supplies contracts are awarded after full and open competition. KSC actively promotes competition for contracts whenever possible. 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.

SONIC SYSTEMS, INC. ULTRASONIC CLEANING TANKS

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

Technical Representative: I certify that the facts presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Cristina Oropeza Technical Representative

Contracting Officer: I hereby certify that the above justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Lisa Morales Contracting Officer