SATPC0036063 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE

OR BRAND NAME

PICK ONE

Sole Source:

☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Thermo-Calc Software, Inc.

only for Thermo-Calc Software. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 3-5 business days ARO.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate only with vendors who can provide the subject brand name from Manufacture Name for Product being purchased. The total estimated cost of this effort is $Dollar Amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date .

This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):

1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.

The product is only sold by the company (ThermoCalc) and it is used as an add on package to the ThermoCalc Software being used in current NASA environment. No other company sells add-on databases for ThermoCalc software. Alternate databases are not available to the quality of the proprietary Thermo-Calc databases, which are guaranteed and tested to work with Thermo-Calc software. The aluminum and titanium alloys and kinetics databases (TCAL9, MOBAL8, TCTI5, and MOBTI4) purchase will support development of alloys necessary for advanced technology programs (in-space welding, friction stir welding, etc.) at NASA/MSFC. The requester’s professional knowledge and a web search did not uncover any alternate databases guaranteed and tested by the software developer, Thermo- Calc Software AB, to be compatible and accurate when used with existing Thermo-Calc software package.

2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.

Alternate databases are not available to the quality of the proprietary Thermo-Calc databases; results may not be useful or consistent if proprietary databases, which are guaranteed and tested to work with existing Thermo-Calc software, are not purchased. Significant investment in Thermo-Calc software is at risk ($>200K to date), in-space welding (>$1M to date from Center funds; possible $2M ECI and multiple SAAs/Tipping Points/IGAs with external partners including commercial companies and DARPA), and friction stir welding (support of SLS program etc.). Selection of an alternate solution would jeopardize these investments and commitments to partners. No other brand/vendor available. If another vendor is selected for this software, NASA will not be able to meet intended milestones for the project that it will used for and will result in substantial losses of time and government funding.