FY26-12_JOFOC_MACH_Redacted.pdf

This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) document for NASA contract modification 80AFRC25P0001.

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center seeks to extend its existing contract with Stratolaunch, LLC by six months, from September 11, 2026 to March 11, 2027, to develop a System Requirements Review (SRR) and Conceptual Design Review (CoRR) for the Stratolaunch Talon-A NextGen hypersonic flight test vehicle. The contract supports the NASA High-Speed Flight Project's effort to achieve sustained, repeatable, and recoverable flight at Mach 6.5 for durations exceeding 10 minutes, addressing thermal, structural, aerodynamic, and propulsion constraints unique to hypersonic architectures. The estimated contract value and completion costs are redacted in the document. The justification cites 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) as the statutory authority for non-competitive procurement, asserting that Stratolaunch is the only responsible source capable of meeting requirements. Stratolaunch currently operates the only reusable U.S. flight test vehicle capable of reaching and sustaining Mach 5+ conditions, making it uniquely qualified for the more demanding Mach 6+ testing requirements. A pre-award notice was published on the SAM.gov Government Point of Entry website on August 17, 2026, closing August 21, 2026. One company expressed written interest but was determined incapable of fulfilling the statement of work requirements. The contracting officer has determined the anticipated cost is fair and reasonable, subject to proposal evaluation and negotiation per FAR 15.404-1(b).