Attach 2_LSJ COMPUTE CLUSTER NODES_All_S_20250908_Redacted.pdf

Limited Sources Justification and Approval (J&A)

I. Contracting Activity.

30th Contracting Squadron, 1515 Iceland Ave., Bldg 8500, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437 Contracting Officer: Charles Richardson / 805-606-6966 Limited Sources Justification

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

PSSC Labs GS-35F-0598R. SLD 30/SE requires the purchase of 16 compute cluster nodes to increase capacity, speed up the analysis time for both pre-launch and DOL risk analysis taskings, as well as enable concurrent mission analysis ensuring ability to keep pace with the increased launch schedule and timely delivery of Launch Safety Risk Analyst deliverable products. The computing solutions need to be designed specifically to meet the needs of ARCTOS (formerly ACTA Inc.) application software. Additionally, it must be compatible with existing onsite system manufactured by PSSC labs.

PowerWulf ZXR1+ Cluster A8000G2

PN: PWF-ZXR1-A8000G2

III. Description of supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

The computing solutions need to be designed specifically to meet the needs of ARCTOS (formerly ACTA Inc.) application software. Additionally, it must be compatible with existing onsite system manufactured by PSSC labs.

IV. Identification of the justification/rationale for limiting sources and demonstration of the contractor's unique qualifications to provide the required supply/service.

FAR 8.405-6 requires an ordering activity to justify its actions when restricting consideration of schedule contractors to fewer than required in FAR 8.405-1. FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), "only one source is capable of providing the supply required at the level of quality required due to its unique or highly specialized nature".

Per the technical specifications in Section III above, the computing solutions need to be designed specifically to meet the needs of ARCTOS (formerly ACTA Inc.) application software. Additionally, it must be compatible with existing onsite system manufactured by PSSC labs.

which is the limiting factor.

V. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with

FAR 8.404(d).

IAW FAR 8.404(d), GSA has determined the prices of supplies offered on the GSA FSS to be fair and reasonable for the purpose of establishing the schedule contract. Utilizing the GSA FSS provides the Government the benefit of ordering from up-to-date, FAR compliant acquisition vehicles with vetted sources. This minimizes risk to the Government while leveraging the buying power of the Federal Government and providing the ability to negotiate further discounts at the order level. Order via the AGI GSA schedule represents the best value to the Government.

VI. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted.

IAW FAR 8.004(a)(1), market research conducted on the GSA FSS indicates the cluster is available for purchase on PSSC Labs, GSA schedule, GS-35F-0598R. Market research also indicates that PSSC is the only ARCTOS-certified solution for running our Range Risk Analysis Tool (RRAT) software in multi-processor mode. Acquisition via GSA FSS as a Limited Source would be in the best interest of the Government.

VII. Other facts supporting the justification.

No other platform has been configured and tested to be compatible by ARCTOS LLC. The amount of time and cost to ensure RRAT software is functioning properly on a non-certified solution will be extensive resulting in significant additional development fees.

VIII. Actions 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.

The 30th Contracting Squadron will continue to conduct ongoing market research in order to identify potential sources and opportunities to promote competition.

IX. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

X. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

GUIDANCE

I. Contracting Activity.

Fully identify the contracting activity responsible for the proposed contracting action. Include the name/phone number of the Contracting Officer. Specifically identify as a “Limited Sources” Justification. Identify purchase request number, if applicable.

II. Nature and/or description of the action being processed.

State whether the action is a new order or by modification to an existing order. Identify the GSA schedule number, the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) number, the order number for the current action, and the Contactor(s). Indicate the Period of Performance (PoP). Also identify the type of the order/line items on the order (e.g. Firm Fixed Price, Labor Hour, etc).

III. Description of the supplies/services required to meet agency needs.

Specifically describe the supplies and/or services to be acquired including the price and quantity of each item in the order and state the total estimated value of the order. For services, state whether the services are performance-based and, if not, provide rationale for not being performance based. Also state the delivery/performance schedule/period for the items under the order.

IV. Identification of the justification/rationale for limiting sources and demonstration of the contractor's unique qualifications to provide the required supply/service.

This section is normally the most detailed part of the justification. To assist you in preparing this justification, an introductory sentence and the four circumstances of FAR 8.405-6 that justify restricting the number of schedule holders are provided below. Select the appropriate cite, then provide, in narrative form, a detailed explanation supporting the specific circumstance cited for limiting the number of schedule holders.

(Introductory sentence) FAR 8.405-6 requires an ordering activity to justify its actions when restricting consideration of schedule contractors to fewer than required in FAR 8.405-1 or 8.405-2.

After selecting the appropriate cite, next select one of the four sentences below and provide a detailed explanation supporting the specific circumstance cited.

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), “Only one source is capable of responding due to the unique or specialized nature of the work”. (Provide a detailed justification with supporting documentation, as evidence of the “unique or highly specialized” nature of the procurement.

The user/customer typically provides this supporting information. Recommend attaching supporting documentation to the back of the document. General statements are not acceptable.)

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C), “The new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures.” The original order was not issued under sole source or limited source procedures. (Provide details on the previously competed order and explain how this order is a logical follow-on to that order. Explain fully the connection between the previous work/order and the current one.

The user/customer typically provides this supporting information. General statements are not acceptable.)

FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(A), “An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the ordering procedures would result in unacceptable delays.” (Provide a detailed justification with supporting documentation that explains the exact urgency of the requirement and the schedule impact if time were to be taken to follow FSS ordering procedures. The user/customer typically provides this supporting information. Recommend attaching supporting documentation to the back of the document. General statements of urgency are not acceptable.)

FAR 8.405-6(b)(1), “The item is peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.” (Brand name specifications should not be used unless the particular brand name, product or feature is essential to the Government's requirements. Therefore, explain why the particular brand item is essential to the Government's requirements, and why other companies' similar items, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency's need. The user/customer typically provides this supporting information.

General statements are not acceptable.)

V. Determination by the ordering activity Contracting Officer that the order represents the best value consistent with

FAR 8.404(d).

This section needs to be tailored based upon whether the order is for supplies/services not requiring a statement of work (FAR 8.405-1) or if the order is for services requiring a statement of work (FAR 8.405-2).

For FAR 8.405-1 orders the best value determination needs to be based upon the supply or service offered under MAS contracts by surveying at least three schedule contractors through the GSA Advantage! on-line shopping service, or by reviewing the catalogs or price lists of at least three schedule contractors. The ordering Contracting Officer's review of the Contractor's price list(s) and any price reductions sought is also required. (Contracting Officer should seek additional price discounts/concessions based on the specific order requirements on all orders over the micro-purchase threshold.) In addition to price, when determining best value, the ordering activity may consider, among other factors, past performance, special features of the supply or service required for effective program performance, trade-in considerations, probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item, warranty considerations, maintenance availability, environmental and energy efficiency considerations, and delivery terms.

When an order contains brand name specifications, the Contracting Officer shall post the Request for Quote (RFQ) along with the basis of the justification as required by FAR 8.405-6(b)(3).

For FAR 8.405-2 orders for services requiring a statement of work, FAR 8.405-2(d) requires that an evaluation be performed based on the criteria provided to the schedule contractors. Therefore, the justification must address how the FAR 8.404(d) requirement for an evaluation of the proposed level of effort and mix of labor will be conducted and include a statement that the Contracting Officer will perform a price reasonableness determination as part of the best value determination.

VI. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or explain why market research was not conducted.

Discuss market research that was conducted among schedule holders and the market research results that led to the conclusion to go sole source or to limit the number of schedule holders to be solicited. The narrative in this section should provide a high level of confidence that the requirements of 8.405-1 and 8.405-2 could not be met. If no market research was conducted, state so and provide the rationale.

VII. Other facts supporting the justification.

When FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) is cited for an follow-on acquisition as the basis for the justification, include an estimate of the cost that would be duplicated and the basis and derivation of the estimate, or provide details on why a delay to solicit additional schedule holders would be unacceptable.

Provide any other facts supporting the Limited Sources Justification.

VIII. Actions 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.

Describe all efforts to be taken to remove or overcome any barriers that preclude the agency from meeting the requirements of FAR 8.405-1and FAR 8.405-2 before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made. If no actions are planned, so state and provide reasons.

IX. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

The contracting officer's signature on the signature page evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

X. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel

As evidenced by their signatures on the signature page, the technical/requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein which is their responsibility is both accurate and complete.