BNJ 80TECH24Q0056_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT OFFICE (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For TE Connectivity Optimus System

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) Information Technology Procurement Office

(ITPO).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is the NASA Information Technology 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 contract with a brand-name description for the TE Connectivity Optimus System. The components of the Optimus Pressure Scanner System are specifically designed to work together, providing a seamless method of accurately applying verification and calibration pressures to an accuracy of ±.03% of full scale.

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):

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has a requirement to purchase Measurement Specialties TE Connectivity Optimus System for use at the 10x10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT). The 10x10 SWT at NASA GRC is standardized to using TE Connectivity products for pressure measurement. The period of performance for the TE Connectivity Optimus System shall be for a period of 48 weeks and has an estimated value of $ .

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 is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a) 1, as implemented by FAR 6.302- 1(c), Application for brand-name descriptions.

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 10 U.S.C. 3204(a) 1, as implemented by FAR 6.302- 1(c), Application for brand-name descriptions as described below.

As facilities upgrade their pressure data systems to the Optimus Pressure Systems these specific units will be incorporated across the board. The system currently in place at the 10x10 SWT is the obsolete 8400, which is the predecessor to the Optimus system. Optimus was chosen to replace the 8400 at 10x10 over one decade ago due to the fact that the system meets the specific requirements laid out in the SOW already presented in this procurement package. To that end, significant resources have been invested already in developing the software interface to the NASA data system, COBRA, and Optimus equipment has previously been procured for use at 10x10. The components of the Optimus Pressure Scanner System are specifically designed to work together, providing a seamless method of accurately applying verification and calibration pressures to an accuracy of ±.03% of full scale. The required TE Connectivity components include a method of digital temperature compensation (DTC) which is essential to the high quality of data expected by NASA facilities. The components are configured to communicate directly to the Optimus System Processor.

No action can reasonably be taken to remove or overcome barriers to competition. The TE Connectivity brand name has developed a method of temperature compensation and accuracy which has become the standard equipment for NASA GRC test facilities. NASA’s COBRA data system is standardized to interface with the brand name TE Connectivity equipment.

Over the past decade, extensive research, person-hours, and expense has been invested in development of the Optimus software interface with NASA’s data system, COBRA. While other vendor equipment could potentially be used, this would necessitate starting from square one, throwing away the current software and developing a completely new software interface to the COBRA system. This would require unknown amounts of research, development, and testing which would present an expense to the Government which could not be expected to be recovered through competition. The greatest impact would be to testing schedules at NASA GRC’s test facilities. Implementation of a new vendor’s products would push testing schedules into the future by an unknown amount of time, causing delays to customer testing in the NASA facilities here or loss of customer support due to inability to meet customer testing goals and deliverables.

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:

The JOFOC will be posted concurrently with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6).

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 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. The quoted costs will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness by comparing the quoted costs to historical information for similar products from previous contracts, other quotes received, and based on other information that is available regarding current market prices.

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:

Previous History:

Historically, , , and market research revealed that no vendors via SEWP and GSA were available and no small businesses were capable of supplying the requirements. These procurements were sole sourced to the OEM since no resellers were identified.

However, the Contract Specialist contacted TE Connectivity on 06/03/2024. They confirmed that TE Connectivity has one reseller via SAM.gov which is a large business. As a result, this requirement will be competed as full and open after exclusion of sources.

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:

N/A - Brand-name justification.

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. Due to the nature of the expressed requirement, there are no known actions which the agency may take to give consideration for any alternatives.