JA-FY25-J02_Redacted.pdf

This document is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) from NASA's Ames Research Center seeking to award a sole-source follow-on contract to Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. for the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) mission operations.

The follow-on contract will succeed contract NNA17BF41C and covers mission operations and extended testing for the PTD-R and PTD-4 missions from February 1, 2025 through January 2027. Required services include extended mission operations, testing of additional energy experiments, proprietary system support, and mission continuity through spacecraft demise. The justification cites Tyvak's unique qualifications as the original developer of the spacecraft and ground systems, noting that transitioning to a new contractor would require duplicating proprietary systems and risk mission delays/failures. Market research identified several CubeSat companies but confirmed none had the specialized capabilities needed for the PTD missions, particularly regarding the LISA-T solar arrays and CIGS PV cells. A notice was posted on SAM.gov from December 16-23, 2024, with no responses received, further validating the sole-source approach.