JA_20-0233 Cortana Redacted.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION

IN REPLY REFER TO:

J&A_20-0233 J&A_20-0233

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

1. Contracting Activity.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) Lakehurst, NJ

1. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This justification and approval authorizes and approves, on a sole source basis, a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract to further develop the Extensible Simulation of Ocean Physics (ESOP) hydrodynamic analysis and modeling tools. The use of ESOP enables Naval Air Warfare Center access to unique multi-domain numerical solutions to address physics and hydrodynamics problems when compared to other modeling and simulation options. NAWC AD is addressing the hydrodynamics problem of a unique nature and has the requirement to utilize the innovative and highly experienced personnel and specialized resources, tools and capabilities provided by this contractor. The contractor has developed extensive and special libraries and capability during the prior performance period that are required for continuation of the investigations in progress. The original analysis and modeling tools have been created by and will continue to be used to develop, test, verify and validate data collected in support of at-sea data collection efforts. This contract is a sole source to Cortana Corporation an eligible Small Business, 520 North Washington St, Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046-3538 for the Advanced Sensors Applications Program (ASAP). This effort is a follow on to an award under Broad Agency Announcement N00421-09-C-0028.

1. Description of Supplies/Services.

This effort will allow the contractor to continue to develop ESOP to improve understanding of multi-domain physics including electromagnetic, hydrodynamic and ocean/atmospheric interactions. It will provide Computational and Operational Support and High Performance Numerical Computing models, developed by the contractor. Models will continue to be developed to include modeling of fluid flow over various features and appendages, interactions of the flow with moving appendages and sensors, modeling of vortex shedding, modeling of vehicle wakes, modeling of interactions among wakes, internal waves, and surface waves, modeling of mixed layer, modeling of disturbances/signal produced in the Marine-Atmosphere Boundary Layer (M-ABL), and in the atmosphere, and the ionosphere.

This effort will be funded utilizing RDT&E funding as detailed below.

See Appendix A for Estimated Dollar Value

1. Statutory Authority Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition.

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

1. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The ESOP suite of hydrodynamic analysis and modeling tools is designed for practical analysis of applied fluid and related physics. ESOP Development initially began around 2007-2009 period. Initial work focused on classical hydrodynamics problems of mixed-patch and turbulent wake problems and developed from there into a unique investigation tool designed to adapt and allow changes for multi-physics. The tool is designed to allow for investigation of broadly distributed general fields of physical phenomena including Ship Hydrodynamics, Oceanography, Meteorology, and Geophysics. The tool allows adaptable and extensible investigation and modeling of Fundamental physics including fluid dynamics, heat transfer, scalar transport, biology and chemistry and electromagnetics.

Cortana is the original designer and developer of the hydrodynamic analysis tools used for the Advanced Sensors Application Program (ASAP) and is the only source with the requisite knowledge, experience and technical expertise to continue development of the modeling system and current ongoing scientific investigations. The legacy of work and personnel involved in the work are keys to success of the government program and its ongoing investigations. Cortana is the only source with the technical data, facilities and capabilities required to continue the work on the unique phenomenology that is typically not included in other investigations. If another company researched this unique phenomenology and applied the findings into a useable system, it would require at a minimum an estimated additional TBD years building the foundation Cortana already has in experience needed to pull a system together. It is estimated that having another company perform these tasks would also require an additional $TBD which would not be recouped through competition. Key differences in approach to the problems faced by the ASAP program investigations are a factor in the uniqueness of the toolset. Many of the hydrodynamic investigators in the Navy focus on design and shipbuilding aspects of hydrodynamics, which do not address different aspects of the overall problem included in the Cortana modeling. Key focus areas of the ESOP tools include wave breaking into turbulence, turbulence modeling, mixed layer, bubble dynamics, and marine air boundary layer, and incorporation of multi-physics investigations including radio nuclide tracers, magneto hydrodynamics and electromagnetics.

1. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable.

Research through various on-line search engines has concluded that no other source can perform the required tasks because Cortana is the original designer and developer of the unique ESOP analysis tools used for the ASAP program. ASAP program is also in contact with other performers in the community and understands their focus areas and abilities to be addressing concerns other than those needed by the ASAP program.

NAWC AD Mission Systems Group maintains in-depth knowledge of undersea hydrodynamic system technology developments and the hydrodynamic system technology industrial base. This includes insight into technologies that individual companies are focused on and their technical and production capabilities. NAWC AD Mission Systems Group representatives maintain this knowledge through routine review of industry journals and attendance at industry symposia and conferences. They also periodically visit industry facilities for briefings on companies internal research and development efforts. Based on its knowledge and expertise, the program has determined that no companies other than the Cortana Corporation have the knowledge and technical capability required to provide the requisite modeling that accommodates the physical investigation currently underway. The combination of the currently developed modeling capability and the in house expertise that has been developed specifically in these areas is considered unique and is a requirement for continued successful implementation. The Contract Specialist issued a sources sought notice via beta.sam.gov on 25 November 2019 with no responses received. A synopsis was posted to the beta.sam.gov website on 18 March 2020 with no responses received.

1. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

In accordance with FAR 15.402, the Contracting Officer shall ensure that all supplies and services provided under this contract are procured at a fair and reasonable price. Cortana’s proposal will be reviewed by experienced technical analysts, cost analysts, and contract specialists with the aid of necessary field pricing support. The Contracting Officer will utilize cost and price analysis as the basis for negotiating a fair and reasonable price.

1. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

This contract is for continued development of a unique proprietary modeling system. Once developed and delivered to the Government the highlighted efforts will be complete. At that time Government can determine best course of action moving forward to continue with required support needed, if any.

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