Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) - Phantom Camera 1_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2026

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

IT Procurement Office (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For PHANTOM Camera System

1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.104-1(a)(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 NASA, and the contracting activity is ITPO.

2. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 to Vision Research, Inc. for a PHANTOM Camera System.

3. FAR 6.104-1(a)(3) – A description of the supplies or services required, to meet the

Agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) has identified the Phantom T2540 High-Speed Camera System as the required imaging solution for installation at the E-Complex E1 Test Facility.

This determination is based on pre-established system design requirements, strict timing and synchronization needs, and the requirement to maintain compatibility with existing facility infrastructure. The total estimated value is

The Phantom T2540 provides deterministic, hardware-based timing with nanosecond-level precision, enabling exact synchronization between high-speed imagery and facility data acquisition systems. This level of timing accuracy is essential for propulsion testing applications, where precise correlation of transient visual events with sensor data is required for valid analysis. Comparable commercial high-speed camera systems do not provide equivalent deterministic timing without significant modification, which would introduce uncertainty and risk degradation of timing fidelity.

In addition to timing performance, the Phantom T2540 uniquely combines high spatial resolution and high frame rate capability with sub-microsecond exposure control, high quantum efficiency in low-light and high-dynamic-range environments, and true circular buffer recording for pre-trigger capture. These capabilities are required to accurately

Rev.: 4/2026 document transient phenomena such as ignition events, shock structures, plume dynamics, and component failures which is data that is critical for both test validation and anomaly investigation.

4. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 6.103 – 1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

5. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 Vision Research/AMETEK is the sole source provider for this requirement as described below.

The proposed acquisition of the Phantom T2540 High-Speed Camera System from Vision Research and its authorized representatives is required due to the unique compatibility, integration, and sustainment requirements associated with the existing Government-owned test infrastructure at the E1 Test Facility.

Existing hardware interfaces, synchronization architecture, data acquisition pathways, and control software are configured to the Phantom system’s specifications. As a result, the Phantom T2540 can be deployed with minimal integration effort and without modification to Government-owned systems. The Phantom T2540 is also fully compatible with SSC’s established data workflows, storage architectures, and analysis tools, ensuring continuity of operations and preservation of data integrity across test campaigns. This continuity reduces lifecycle costs associated with purchasing new systems, retraining personnel, modifying analysis pipelines, and validating new data formats.

The integration of any alternative camera system is not feasible, as it would require a complete overhaul of the entire control system architecture, including interface redevelopment, acquisition of new software, timing revalidation, and comprehensive system-level testing. Such changes would mandate contract modification, significantly increase costs, and cause schedule delays that are incompatible with mission timelines. Critically, no other company can deliver a camera system that meets these requirements without introducing unacceptable technical risk through unproven integration pathways in this critical test environment.

Procurement through Vision Research ensures access to certified hardware, validated firmware, and factory-supported maintenance and technical support. This is essential to maintain system reliability, configuration control, and long-term sustainment within a mission-critical test environment. Any alternative system would require extensive validation to demonstrate compliance with SSC’s performance, environmental, and data handling requirements. This validation effort would incur additional cost and schedule impact and would introduce unacceptable risk to mission execution.

The requested Phantom T2540 High-Speed Camera System is the only solution that:

• Meets established system design, timing, and performance requirements

• Integrates seamlessly with existing Government-owned infrastructure without modification

• Preserves validated control system architecture and data workflows

• Avoids additional cost, schedule delays, and contract modification

• Ensures configuration control, reliability, and OEM-supported sustainment

• Minimizes technical, programmatic, and financial risk

For these reasons, the specified brand and model are essential to meet NASA SSC’s operational and mission assurance requirements at the E1 Test Facility.

6. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 5.1 and, if not, which exception under 5.101 applies:

A notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) was published on 5/27/2026 at 9:07 PM, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.1. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to Vision Research. The results of this synopsis are summarized in Section 10 below.

7. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 must 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 6.104-1(a)(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):

Market research included communication with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), reviewing prior purchases for the same or similar items, contact with the requestor and other knowledgeable people in Government and industry, query of Government databases, and review of internet catalogs. Communication with the OEM confirms that no other manufacturer’s products will integrate within the current Phantom environment currently in use at the SSC E-Complex Test Facility..

SSC E-Complex Test Facility has utilized Phantom cameras for test customers for more than 25 years to capture the ultra-high frame rate imagery required for rocket test programs.

These cameras are uniquely capable of providing the multi-frame-per-second performance needed to analyze rapid mechanical and combustion events during test operations. Test customers have consistently used Phantom systems, either those provided by SSC or their own equipment, due to the camera’s proven performance, reliability, and compatibility with existing test infrastructure. When customers departed after their test campaigns, their Phantom units were taken with them, reinforcing SSC’s ongoing need to procure new cameras compatible with the long-established Phantom architecture.

Market research indicates that only two global manufacturers produce high-speed imaging systems of comparable technical capability: Vision Research (Phantom) and FLIR. While FLIR manufactures high-speed imaging systems, their cameras are designed primarily for thermal, infrared, and gas-detection applications. SSC does not require infrared or gas-detection features, and these capabilities add cost and complexity without meeting the specific technical requirements of SSC test missions. In contrast, Phantom systems provide the precise ultra-high-speed visible-spectrum imaging needed for rocket test evaluation, and they integrate directly with SSC’s existing hardware, software, data workflows, and test-stand instrumentation.

Additionally, the SSC Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM) project at Eglin AFB has utilized Phantom systems with exceptional success, demonstrating image quality and operational performance that remain unmatched by other manufacturers. Based on all collected market data, including technical capability evaluations, OEM input, and integration requirements, Phantom remains the only system capable of meeting SSC’s mission-critical high-speed imaging needs without compromising warranty, compatibility, or performance.

Alternative systems such as Shimadzu HPV were researched; however, they are limited to short-duration burst capture and cannot record pre-event conditions, which is a requirement.

Photron and IDT systems require reduction in spatial resolution to achieve comparable frame rates and lack equivalent timing fidelity and integration with facility data acquisition systems.

9. FAR 6.104-1(a)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

None.

10. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 Presolicitation was publicized on 05/27/2026 at 9:07 PM. It closed on 11/11/2026 at 11:59PM CDT. No responses were received from potential vendors by the end of the closing date.

11. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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.