JOFOC 80TECH23Q0027 Final_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Johnson Space Center (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For TTTech Lab End Systems for Gateway / PPE Software Development

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) Johnson Space Center.

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

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 to TTTech North America Inc for the acquisition of TTTech Lab End Systems for Gateway / PPE Software Development.

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):

This Purchase Request is for the procurement of specialized Time Triggered Ethernet (TTE) development hardware components of existing lab networking assets used in Gateway flight software development laboratories. The NASA Gateway Spacecraft utilizes Time Triggered Ethernet as its onboard network architecture. Time Triggered Ethernet is a safety critical, deterministic protocol utilized for high criticality systems, such as human rated spacecraft.

To ensure flight software requirements are met, and developed certified flight software, we must utilize TTE networking equipment in our software development labs (“test like you fly” requirements). Additional instances of these specialized lab components are required to be compatible with the Gateway flight avionics systems. The requested TTE Lab End Systems have an estimated cost of $ . The requirement is outlined below.

MATERIAL/DESCRIPTION QUANTITY

14033 TTE-End System Space 3U cPCI (EDU) enables a connection of a data processing hardware (CPUs, FPGAs, MCUs) to a TTEthernet network. This Engineering Development Unit for ground functional testing is equipped with a commercial cPCI connector for usage in off-the-shelf 3U cPCI chassis.

13866 TTE-RearIO 3U cPCI (EDU) provides physical interfaces of connected end system or switch cards via the RearIO backplane pins.

This allows to use the cards with a commercial chassis and to connect other devices directly by using standard cables.

4. FAR 6.303-2(b)(4) – An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

Authority for the Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is provided by 41 U.S.C. 1901, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1)). This justification is based on TTTech North America Inc. being the only source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This JOFOC complies with the special documentation requirements of FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

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 TTTech North America Inc. is the sole source provider for this requirement as described below.

TTTech North America is the contracted provider of the flight network equipment for the multiple modules of the Gateway Spacecraft. They are the sole producer of this specialized Time Triggered Ethernet technology, and they do not provide their products through any authorized resellers. Use of any other technology would not be compatible with the Gateway flight systems and would not allow the Gateway software development teams to develop, integrate, verify, or test critical software components for the Gateway flight system.

If the Agency had to select an alternative to TTTech North America, the change in solutions would adversely impact NASA’s ability to meet various mission requirements. Huge investments have already been made into TTTech North America products and NASA needs the continuity of operations.

The consequences of implementing alternative hardware products would negatively impact Agency programs, missions, and initiatives. Previous purchase orders for TTTech hardware (80NSSC22PA398, 80NSSC22P0177, 80NSSC22PA765) have an approximate value of $ . This is a continuation of this work and to deviate would mean a loss of approximately $ in hardware already existing in the environment. Additionally, Gateway software development teams would require training on new hardware, lab equipment, and integrating software. This training is an added impact to the Agency’s ability to meet mission milestones and support needs.

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:

This requirement will be synopsized and posted on beta.sam.gov in accordance with FAR5.201. Synopsis results will be included in the official contract file. Based on the authority cited in paragraph 4, it is concluded that our minimum needs are only reasonably available from the selected source. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will continue to look for opportunities to open competition for this requirement and will monitor the marketplace for potential competition in the future.

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:

Before making award, the Contracting Officer will determine that the proposed price is fair and reasonable based on one of the techniques identified in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 13.106-3 – Award Documentation. This procurement is for a commercial item. Thus, the price can be determined fair and reasonable based on a comparison of the established market price, historical pricing, and current price lists. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has historical contract information from previous awards with TTTech North America Inc. and there are no anticipated issues that would circumvent a fair and reasonableness price determination. The Contracting Officer will determine price reasonableness during the proposal evaluation process prior to contract award.

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

Market research was not conducted due to the lack of resellers. Because of the unique Gateway requirements, we have always had to Sole Source these purchases. TTTech North America has confirmed that the requested product is not available via a SEWP or GSA contract and that they are the sole provider and seller of the TTTech Lab End Systems for Gateway / PPE Software Development.

9. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

The proposal from TTTech North America Inc. is a fair cost estimate based on previous estimates of procurements completed at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for similar requirements.

10. FAR 6.303-2(b)(10) – A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition:

As TTTech North America Inc. is the only provider and seller of the TTTech Lab End Systems for Gateway / PPE Software Development, there are no other sources for this product.

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:

No subsequent acquisitions are planned at this time.