JOFOC - Modifications for Atlas Devices COASTER_Redacted.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA IT Procurement Office (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Modifications for Atlas Devices Counterweight-Offload Astronaut Sensor, Telemetry & Electronics Rig (COASTER)

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) IT Procurement Office (ITPO).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is IT Procurement Office (ITPO).

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 new work modification to order number 80TECH25PA008 with Atlas Devices for modifications to the Counterweight Offload Astronaut Sensor, Telemetry and Electronics Rig (COASTER).

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 purchase of modifications for the Atlas Devices Counterweight-Offload Astronaut Sensor, Telemetry & Electronics Rig (COASTER) is required to fulfill the need of telemetry-based suited and unsuited gravity offload testing at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).

The COASTER Double Arm requires four distinct modifications to be able to fulfill its originally stated purpose within testing and training at Johnson Space Center. Three of these modifications were brought forward at a NASA Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on 21 May 2025. These four modifications address critical accommodations within the use of pressurized space suits to be utilized in Artemis III, improved dynamic system feedback, and adaptation to spatial requirements imposed by Johnson Space Center’s Space Vehicle Mockup Facility (SVMF) where COASTER will be homed.

1. Structure Height/SVMF Fit

Modification of structure and commensurate structural analysis that must occur to accommodate structural constraints imposed by existing infrastructure and adjacent projects within the SVMF.

2. Enhanced System Responsiveness Addition of COTS mechanical devices to assist with dynamic response of COASTER. This addresses a post-HITL assessment PDR action in which the gravity offload SME test subjects informed the PDR panel that certain dynamic ranges of system response should be improved to facilitate optimal test conditions.

3. Inclusion of Real-time Force Measurement Addition of a digital load cell which will add data measurement capability of offload forces. This addresses a PDR action brought forward by JSC’s Health and Human Performance Directorate (HHP).

4. Enhanced Load Capability of 850 lb Additional need of 850 lb system capacity was noted by JSC’s Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) during PDR to accommodate pressurized space suit flight hardware (AxEMU). The original weight capacity of 750 lb was based on non-flight suits.

The COASTER modifications are deliverable to Johnson Space Center

. The estimated Period of Performance is award date through October 30, 2025.

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 for acquisitions using the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

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 41 U.S.C. 1901 is Atlas Devices is the sole source provider for this requirement as described below.

Atlas Devices produces COASTER, the only human-rated articulated jib arm style sensor and suspension systems in the world. Their knowledge in terms of COASTER’s design, system dynamics, material selection, and other engineering aspects is proprietary. NASA Award 80TECH25PA008 provided the purchase of the Atlas Devices COASTER and associated support services, which included the delivery of a COASTER Demonstrator Arm and COASTER Double Arm. The order included a NASA PDR to review the Demonstrator Arm set up. The results of the NASA PDR include the need for the modifications identified in this document and depicts the need to utilize Atlas for any continuation or modification of COASTER’s engineering qualities, especially those involving the system’s mechanisms or critical load path.

The Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) has identified periods in FY25-FY26 as risks for completion of tests in the critical path of Artemis III due to overbooking of current gravity offload test facilities. Only Atlas Devices maintains the proprietary knowledge necessary to make modifications to the COASTER acquired under 80TECH25PA008. Any vendor other than Atlas will require an exorbitant amount of time to safely administer these modifications to the COASTER Double Arm system. Design changes to the structure and load-bearing components of the system would be performed after the delivery of the Double Arm system, resulting in potential compromise of integrity to the mechanisms and other functional aspects of the system and subsequent re-work. None of these situations will enable a timely delivery of the required gravity offload capability needed at JSC.

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 June 26, 2025, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source modification to Atlas Devices. 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 quote to be evaluated by the Government. Prior to execution of the modification, a price analysis will be performed. The price analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable. In accordance with FAR 13.106-3, a statement of price reasonableness will be documented to the contract file citing historical prices and any other reasonable basis.

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 (e.g., urgent, and compelling requirement):

Email correspondence with OEM representative confirmed that Atlas Devices is the sole source provider of the required product and services. It was also confirmed that Atlas Devices is the only producer of human-rated articulated jib arm style sensor and suspension systems.

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 (sam.gov) under notice ID 80TECH25RFI0011 per FAR Subpart 5.2 (See Section 6 above). The synopsis was published on June 26, 2025, and closed July 3, 2025. No responses were received.

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.