LunarMartianGravity_JEFO_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:3/2025

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Justification for an Exception to Fair Opportunity

Description of the action being approved: This justification documents the basis for issuing an order under the NASA Suborbital/ Hosted Orbital Flight and Payload Integration Services (FO IDIQ 4) using an exception to the Fair Opportunity process.

Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs: This action is a firm-fixed price task order for the development of the capability to fly a suborbital spacecraft in such a manner that induces lunar and Martian gravity accelerations on the spacecraft and the payloads it is carrying for long duration (>1min.), within which % of the experiment test volume’s emersion into lunar or Martian gravity simulation and allows for the option of human tended payloads for lunar and Martian research. The total estimated price of the proposed order is $ the estimated period of performance is from award to July 31, 2026.

Identification of Exception to Fair Opportunity:

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(A), The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C), The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(D), It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(E), For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the purchase be made from a specified source.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F), In accordance with section 1331 of Public Law 111-240 (15 U.S.C. 644(r)), contracting officers may, at their discretion, set aside orders for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3). When setting aside orders for small business concerns, the specific small business program eligibility requirements identified in part 19 apply.

FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(G), The order satisfies one of the exceptions permitting the use of other than full and open competition listed in 6.302 (10 U.S.C. 3406(c)(5). The public interest exception shall not be used unless Congress is notified in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(7).

Supporting Rationale:

This action is to develop the capability to fly a suborbital spacecraft in such a manner that induces lunar and Martian gravity accelerations on the spacecraft and the payloads it is carrying for long duration (>1min.), within which % of the experiment test volume’s emersion into lunar or Martian gravity simulation and allows for the option of human tended payloads for lunar and Martian research. Contractor will develop the methodologies that allow for such a flight profile and develop the concepts for how the payloads would mount inside the spacecraft, will describe acceleration vector directions on the payloads during lunar/Martian missions and must demonstrate that the methods developed can meet the tolerances as listed above.

The test environment described above would enhance NASA’s ability for technology advancement and fundamental research involving relatively large experiments and processes that take longer than 20 seconds to render results. The types of technologies and experiments that could take advantage of such a capability include but are not limited to: In Situ resource Utilization, Regolith Processes for Construction and Excavation, Surface Mobility, Dust Mitigation and Human Exploration.

Determination that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The contracting officer will verify that any proposed costs that are not priced in the base contract are acceptable by performing a price analysis. A detailed breakout of non-standard services (including labor rates and hours) will be requested to assist with the price analysis.

Pricing for standard services shall be in accordance with the base contract and align with the negotiated rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. Pricing will be determined fair and reasonable by using FAR 15.404-1 Proposal Analysis Techniques.

Other Facts:

None.

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made:

The CO and Technical team will continue to examine the market in the future for alternative solutions or new sources before executing any subsequent acquisitions for the same requirements.

Flight Opportunities Lunar and Martian Gravity Objectives and Flights

JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EXCEPTION TO FAIR OPPORTUNITY

SIGNATURE PAGE

I certify that the requirements and technical data contained herein, and which form a basis for this justification are accurate and complete.

Technical Representative

I hereby certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Based on the information provided in this justification, and as the approving official, I have determined that the exception at FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i) (B) applies to the order.

Contracting Officer