JOFOC 80MSFC23CA017 6-Month Extension final_signed.pdf

Rev.:5/2024

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (MSFC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

FOR SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION CONTRACT

80MSFC23CA017

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) / George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The procuring agency is NASA and the contracting activity is MSFC.

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 extend the period of performance for the Scalable Science Data Exploration contract number 80MSFC23CA017 with Element 84. The existing scope supports requirements needed by NASA stakeholders within the Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate and require completion no later than September 30, 2025. This action will extend the contract period of performance 6 months with an end date of March 31, 2026. The anticipated phase-in of the Next Generation Scalable Data Engineering, Operations, and Informatics Support for Open Science (Next Gen) will begin on February 14, 2026, and the sole-source Innovative Visualization, Exploration, Data and Analysis (IVEDA) will be on September 22, 2025, with an effective date of October 1, 2025. Both contracts are anticipated to be follow-on efforts.

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):

NASA/MSFC seeks to modify Element 84’s existing contract,80MSFC23CA017, to extend the period of performance for short-term continuity of service.

The estimated period of performance associated with this action is from time of award through March 31, 2026 for the 6-month extension. The overall contract period of performance will be extended, and the total estimated dollar value is $645,000.00 for the 6-month extension. The current contract value would increase from $1,788,525.00 to $2,433,525.00 for the 6-month extension.

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. 3204(a)1, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

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 3204(a)1, which is only one responsible source, and no other supplies and services will satisfy agency requirements, as described below.

1. Element 84’s demonstrated unique capabilities allows them to maintain and provide support to the existing data system infrastructure as part of its current contract deliverables. Their expertise and knowledge of the existing data system is critical to meet the requirements outlined in the scope expansion. Engagement with another contractor to develop a new system without prior knowledge of the complex cyberinfrastructure would create unnecessary disruption to the contracts current deliverables and system operation. Given the complexity of the existing contract, an estimated 8-month learning period would be required for any new vendor to fully understand the project requirements and implement the necessary modifications. Since the period of performance is associated with this action is only 6 months, it is highly unlikely that any vendor other than Element 84 could complete all the requirements within the specified timeframe.

2. Element 84 possesses the unique collaborative capabilities, specialized skills, and expertise needed to modify the current system and incorporate system upgrades and new applications to support commercial vendor tasking. Seamless integration of existing systems with newly developed applications is paramount for continued success. In order for continuous operation of systems, the introduction of a new contractor without this unique capability would introduce serious risks to schedule and delivery of an operational system to NASA stakeholders. An estimated 8-month schedule delay is expected should another contractor be chosen.

3. The requirements of the current contract for this extension are presently under full and open competition with the Next Gen activity. Due to the anticipated phase-in of the follow-on Next Gen competitive acquisition award beginning February 14, 2026, an attempt to award another new, standalone contract at this time is not practical nor in the best interest of the government.

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 (Sam.gov) was published on July 17, 2025 and will close on August 1, 2025, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source modification to Element

84. 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.

The Contracting Officer will assess the Contractor’s proposal utilizing cost and price analysis techniques in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.404-1 to determine a fair and reasonable price. Assistance from the MSFC Pricing Team, the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and other independent auditors will be utilized as appropriate to analyze, evaluate, and negotiate based on detailed cost or pricing data.

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 (e.g., urgent, and compelling requirement):

A SAM.gov market survey was not conducted for the proposed acquisition. The requirements of the current Element 84 contract for this extension are presently under full and open competition with the Next Gen activity. Due to the anticipated phase-in of the follow-on Next Gen competitive acquisition beginning February 14, 2026, and the sole source IVEDA contract award beginning September 22, 2025 with an effective date of October 1, 2025, an attempt to award another new, standalone contract at this time is not practical nor in the best interest of the government.

However, in accordance with FAR 8.002(a)(2) market research was performed by the mandatory source AbilityOne.gov Procurement List with no availability. A review of the Office of Procurement Strategic Sourcing Website was performed yielding no solutions. Other sources were reviewed such as geospatial data science contracts via GSA eLibrary, and other Government contracts. Additional review of existing NASA contracts, per NFS 1808.004, that provide the required services has been conducted and none were suitable for this requirement.

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 (Sam.gov) from July 17, 2025 through August 1, 2025, per FAR Subpart 5.2 (See Section 6 above). No responses were received to the posting.

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.

Elizabeth

Date: 2025.07.28 13:43:11

SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION CONTRACT 80MSFC23CA017

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

Technical Representative: I certify that the facts presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Elizabeth Fancher Deputy Project Manager/ST14 Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT)

Contracting Officer: I hereby certify that the above justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Jason Arnold Contracting Officer/PS51 Science and Technology Support Branch