FY20-15 JOFOC 80AFRC20C0010_Posting.pdf

Revision: A

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For FY20-15/DC-8 Flight Simulator Training/80AFRC20C0010

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 AFRC): Code 210 Procurement

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is AFRC.

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 sole-source contract, 80AFRC20C0010 with ABX Air, Inc. to provide one DC-8 flight simulator to be used for DC-8 pilots and flight engineer initial and proficiency training by NASA personnel for five years.

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):

The contractor, ABX Air, Inc. shall provide a provide an operational FAA certified Level B simulator or higher for NASA DC-8 pilot and flight engineer training. NASA requires a minimum of 25 dry simulator hours per year and ensure priority access to a fully operational simulator for five years. The estimated total is $350,000.00.

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. 2304(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302- (1) “Only one responsible source.”

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. 2304(c) (1) is described below:

Since 2014, ABX Air, Inc. has been under contract with NASA to provide DC-8 Flight Simulator Training. This is the only existing DC-8 simulator still operating in the US. If NASA were no longer a customer, ABX Air, Inc. would shut down the DC-8 simulator.

Without a simulator to practice emergency procedures, DC-8 flight safety risk would increase and operations would likely cease in 1-2 years.

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:

A notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (beta.sam.gov) was published on February 12, 2020, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to ABX Air, Inc. The results of this synopsis are summarized in Section 10 below.

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.

8. FAR 6.303-2(b)(8) – Description of the market research conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market research was not conducted:

Internet search and discussions with industry experts determined that there are no other DC-8 flight simulators currently operating within the US. Services have been purchased from ABX Air, Inc. since 2014.

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:

A notice of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source action was synopsized on the GPE website (beta.sam.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2 (See Section 6 above).

Posted date: February 12, 2020 Closed date: February 27, 2020 Companies that responded: 0

Description of any responses received: N/A

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.