SATPC0043140 Tab 10 1 BNJ_Redacted.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 80NSSC27948377Q
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This is a NASA Shared Services Center Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name justification document dated October 9, 2026.
NASA seeks to procure a Flexim ultrasonic flow meter from Flexim Americas Corp/Emerson to replace an obsolete gaseous nitrogen (GN2) meter station at Space Launch Complex 41, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). The flow meter will measure flow rates during operations for billing purposes and support the GN2 pipeline system infrastructure. The estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is December 1, 2026. The document justifies single-source procurement based on parts obsolescence, corrosion, and design flaws in the existing equipment, along with the need for compatibility with identical brand and model flow meters currently deployed throughout the GN2 pipeline system. According to the justification, using alternative vendor equipment would create significant integration costs, operational uncertainty, and risks due to precision measurement requirements for high-pressure gas used to bill NASA programs and commercial partners. The Flexim ultrasonic flowmeter equipment has been vetted and in use for nearly 20 years following rigorous trade studies and data analysis. Competition is deemed impractical because critical component replacement during real-time support operations requires compatibility with existing spare components in inventory, and the specific precision capabilities needed may not be available from competing manufacturers.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SATPC0043140 Tab 10 3 RFQ Open Market.pdf | ||
| SATPC0043140 Tab 10 2 SOW_Redacted.pdf |
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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
Brand Name Justification:
☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject brand name from FLEXIM AMERICAS CORP / EMERSON. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 12/1/2026.
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 gaseous nitrogen (GN2) meter station used by United Launch Alliance (ULA) at Space Launch Complex 41 is in need of an overhaul due to parts obsolescence, corrosion, and design flaws. This effort is for procuring a Flexim flow meter to replace old obsolete flow meter and measure flow rate during operations for billing purposes.
2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.
This same brand and model of flow meter is used throughout the GN2 pipeline system. There is a potential for critical component replacement required during real-time support operations. There cannot be any compatibility concerns with the replacement spare components in inventory. There would be significant costs to integrating different brand equipment in addition to uncertainty and risks if other brands could even measure the high pressure gas in our systems to the precision we require, which is used to bill NASA programs and commercial partners for propellant quantities consumed. This brand of ultrasonic flowmeter equipment has been vetted for nearly 20 years after rigorous trade studies and data analysis.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
10/9/2026 Technical User Name Date
Title
Office
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