Justification_and_approval_document(JA) Redact_Redacted.pdf

Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 6August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 2 of 6

I. Agency and Contracting Activity.

Air Force Test Center, Directorate of Contracting, Installation Acquisition Division, Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee 37389-1332. Individual purchase requests will be prepared for each task order. This document is a justification for other than full and open competition.

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

This action is to establish a new Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), noncommercial Research and Development (R&D) Cost-Reimbursement contract with the University of Maryland (UMD), an Educational Institution, CAGE: 3LML6 / UIE:

PNK2G91GKFW6, College Park, Maryland. This a follow-on effort with UMD under prior Contract Numbers: F40600-01- D-0001, FA9101-10-D-0001, and FA9101-15-D-0005. Specifically, this will be an eight year (base five years with three one year options) IDIQ, cost-type contract in accordance with FAR 16.302. UMD will perform R&D services, an individual task order will be issued to authorize each research requirement.

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

AEDC is one of three test centers in the Air Force with a core mission of providing environmental test, analysis, and evaluation of aerospace systems.

Tunnel 9 provides world unique hypersonic ground-test capabilities in the areas of aerodynamics, aero/ thermodynamics, and aero/thermal-structures, primarily to Department of Defense and other government funded aerospace programs. To fully support this mission, it is critical for AEDC to establish and maintain an engineering, research, and development capability. This capability is critical to safe, efficient, and accurate test and evaluation of aerospace systems.

The proposed CLIN Structure will be as follows:

CLIN 0001 Base Ordering Period (5 Yrs) ELIN A001 CDRL Performance and Cost Reports ELIN A002 CDRL Scientific and Technical Report Option CLIN 1001 Option Year 1 Option ELIN B001 CDRL Performance and Cost Reports Option ELIN B002 CDRL Scientific and Technical Report Option CLIN 2001 Option Year 2 Option ELIN C001 CDRL Performance and Cost Reports Option ELIN C002 CDRL Scientific and Technical Report Option CLIN 3001 Option Year 3 Option ELIN D001 CDRL Performance and Cost Reports Option ELIN D002 CDRL Scientific and Technical Reports

The services provided under this contract are mission-essential research addressing both theoretical and applied disciplines in the areas of aeronautical and mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry and chemical engineering, and industrial processes. Research will involve the various phases of design, development, analysis, and test and evaluation of aerospace vehicles and propulsion systems. This research involves but is not limited to the following UMD unique requirements:

August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 6August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 6

The scope of the work encompasses the performance of modeling, baseline studies, development/testing of new technologies and methods for hypersonic aerospace test and evaluation. While directly fulfilling actual mission-essential requirements, this research and development effort will also support the upgrading and continuing education of AEDC Tunnel 9's work forces as well as associates and support contractors. The research and development projects under this contract will provide advanced research technologies that will enhance the level of educational support that UMD can provide AEDC Tunnel 9. These projects will respond to a variety of needs; some of which will involve state-of-the-art technology. This level of research requires an enhanced graduate engineering level capability at both the masters' and doctorate levels with supporting research. Therefore, this action will serve the dual purpose of fulfilling specific AEDC Tunnel 9 technical research requirements while pursuing the broader objective of establishing and maintaining critical technical expertise by insertions of current real-world problems into the education community. Additionally, it will promote technology transfer from the public to the private sector through publication of academic as well as government reports.

This contract will be written for eight years (base five years with three one year options). The total contract ceiling will be $2,000,000.00 with no more than $250,000.00 in any one year.

IV. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited above.

The University of Maryland is uniquely equipped to address AEDC's diverse requirements in hypersonic research and development, aligning closely with the key focus areas outlined in Section III. UMD's longstanding involvement with AEDC Tunnel 9 has fostered unparalleled expertise in experimental and analytical methods for hypersonic flows, positioning them as leaders in this field. Their proficiency extends to the development of sophisticated instrumentation and diagnostics tailored for aerospace ground test applications, which is critical for the precise evaluation of hypersonic systems. Moreover, UMD's faculty, comprising leading experts in computational fluid dynamics, offer advanced modeling and simulation capabilities for hypersonic flows, a testament to their integrated research approach. They have also made significant strides in the development of advanced analytical techniques for high-pressure/high-temperature systems, a vital component in

August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 6August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 6 the study of hypersonics. UMD's contribution to materials science, focusing on durability in extreme conditions, further complements their comprehensive research portfolio. Additionally, their expertise in high-pressure industrial processes and controls aligns seamlessly with AEDC's operational needs. Importantly, UMD plays a pivotal role in the workforce development and continuing education of AEDC personnel and support contractors, leveraging their proximity to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer. This multifaceted expertise underscores UMD's suitability as an ideal partner for AEDC, ensuring progress in both specific and broad aspects of hypersonic research and development.

In Section V, our capability survey showed three other universities, Princeton University, Purdue University, and the University of Minnesota, which all showcased an established proficiency in hypersonics research. Princeton University has expertise in non-intrusive flow diagnostics, Purdue University has expertise in experimental boundary layer transition measurements, and the University of Minnesota has an expertise in hypersonic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations. While these institutions are proficient in their respective core specialties, the University of Maryland has proven itself to be highly capable in all three areas of research along with others subjects necessary to tackle the unique problems presented in hypersonics and Tunnel 9 specifically. The University of Maryland has multiple high-temperature/high-Mach number ground test facilities that have the capability to serve as primary investigation testbeds or be used for flow diagnostic development to enhance current and future capabilities. The UMD faculty is comprised of highly accomplished experimentalists and computational fluid dynamists, enabling collaborative efforts in which advanced modeling and simulation methodologies can be utilized in parallel to aid in the conduction of experiments (or vice versa). In addition to aero-centric research, faculty members are highly knowledgeable in the areas of material science and instrumentation focused around survival and usage in harsh environments (i.e. high temperature/pressure), such as those present at AEDC's Tunnel 9.

V. Description of 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

FAR 5.202 applies.

This acquisition will not be synopsized pursuant to FAR 5.202(a)(10) which allows the establishment of a contract without synopsizing if an advanced notice is not appropriate or reasonable. Advanced notice is not appropriate or reasonable when contracting action is made under conditions described in FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii): To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center.

AEDC Tunnel 9 is pursuing a sole source acquisition focused on continuing the long running partnership with the University of Maryland. A brief capability survey of other universities with an established proficiency in hypersonics research included Princeton University, Purdue University, and the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has an expertise in hypersonic CFD calculations, Purdue University has expertise in experimental boundary layer transition measurements, and Princeton University has expertise in non-intrusive flow diagnostics. The requirement for this effort falls out of scope of the core specialties of these universities. Furthermore, the collaborative educational effort between UMD and AEDC Tunnel 9 civilian and contractor personnel will require that researchers and students routinely commute between the two facilities throughout any given task order. Although the basic contract would not be competed, individual engineering and research

August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 5 of 6August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 5 of 6 and development requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate method of contracting. AEDC's desire to continue its long-term research contract with UMD to further develop AEDC's developmental test and evaluation capability as we enter the next eight years, does not mean that AEDC will not also contract with other educational institutions for research outside the scope of this contract.

The findings regarding Princeton University, Purdue University, and the University of Minnesota compiled by reviewing online materials including, but not limited to, the respective university websites and publicly published research. The findings regarding the University of Maryland are based upon on-going, first hand interactions with the students, faculty, and staff of the institution, with the Air Force Program Managers. AEDC Tunnel 9 personnel routinely interact with university personnel via remote communication and on-site visits.

VI. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer hereby determines that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. An in-house technical evaluation will be conducted, and a fair and reasonable price negotiated. The Contracting Officer will determine that the proposed estimated costs are fair and reasonable based upon cost analysis conducted pursuant to FAR 15.404-1(c).

VII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by reviewing research universities that have a hypersonic aerodynamics and flow measurement components to their capabilities. It is determined that UMD is the only research university that has an understanding of the AEDC Tunnel 9 facility and its core capabilities in the hypersonic and facility related research. Due to the unique nature of this sole source requirement it is not anticipated that any other educational institution has similar capabilities as UMD that are required for this effort.

VIII. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

The previous J&A that was approved in 2014 for FA9101-15-D-0005 located in the contract file.

IX. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

N/A

X. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

The nature of the acquisition is such that we will not seek competition for those requirements within the scope of this contract that are necessary to maintain AEDC's and UMD's essential engineering and research capability. Requirements beyond these limitations will be considered for competition. No actions are planned to seek competition on subsequent acquisitions for this type requirement based on the above rationale. Requirements for facilities and testing not within the defined scope and for which UMD is not uniquely qualified will be considered for future competition. The continued relationship between UMD and AEDC is critical over the next eight years to help AEDC establish and maintain an engineering, research, and development capability at Tunnel 9 which provides world unique hypersonic ground-test capabilities in the areas of aerodynamics, aero/thermodynamics, and aero/thermal-structures.

The agency plans to release a directive outlining steps, including posting a Sources Sought on SAM.gov, to address and mitigate any competitive obstacles before proceeding with future acquisitions of the necessary services.

XI. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge

August 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 6 of 6 and belief.

XII. 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.