JOFOC-AANA_SERPS Final_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Space Environment Rapid Prototyping Services (SERPS)

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) JSC.

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

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 with Aerospace Applications North America, Inc. (AANA) for Space Environment Rapid Prototyping Services, which involves integrating Artemis training tools and providing human machine interface research and development activities to NASA for rapid prototyping space environment display and control concepts.

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):

The next phase of rapid prototyping will include and expand beyond the cockpit interfaces to comprise interfaces with tools, external vehicle hardware display functions, new display needs and mechanisms, spacesuit accesses and interface arrangements, and generating flight ready crew display data products specifically formatted for quick integration into formal flight software builds. In addition, the requirements include replicating commercial vendor hardware to address ergonomics and crew needs requiring the ability to rapidly adjust hardware and software per direction from external partners providing development feedback for interfaces. They will provide organized and formatted data inputs for use via unique crew interface mechanisms on the development of vacuum rated electronics and avionics including, but not limited to, suit tablets and unpressurized rover displays. This is accomplished based on crew expertise and human factors inputs for the creation of simulations for spacecraft display and electronic procedure formats, software display navigation schemes, and the hardware devices required to interface with the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) software. The integrated Artemis training tools required in this next phase will directly input into the Orion Part Task Trainer. This Part Task Trainer will provide training tools to crew as well as additional training venues and surge capability for myriad flight controllers/trainers, flight directors, Capsule Communications (capcoms) and others.

NASA/JSC intends to purchase these services from AANA, Houston, TX on a sole-source basis through a Firm Fixed Price IDIQ contract with a not-to-exceed value of $9,000,000.

The proposed period of performance for this follow-on contract is October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029.

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(a)(2)(ii)(A&B).

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) is that AANA is the sole company that can provide the training tools of the Orion Part Task Training as described below.

Unique Capabilities

AANA currently supports Phase 5 of the Rapid Prototype Lab (RPL) Contract (80JSC020D0007) and has supported Phases 1-4 prior to this. Many of the tasks associated with the SERPS contract are fundamentally connected to the scope of AANA’s work under the RPL. Examples of this are as follows:

• SERPS “Part Task Training” requirement contains core capability of crew display and control systems including all 63 crew displays, plus electronic Procedures (eProc), Caution & Warning (C&W), display navigation, and hardware control interfaces to train crew. AANA is familiar with the training environment and have expertise in the display systems and software loads.

• Under RPL, AANA maintains, enables, and sustains the formal flight software development tools for flight controllers including eProc, display checkout, and signature lesson development. Under SERPS, AANA will actively use their specialized developed display simulator software Windows Orion RPL Cockpit Simulator (WORCS) load to further develop lesson plan tools for crew and flight controllers, as well as provide this platform of tools to train Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) personnel on cockpit interfaces.

• AANA has also stood up a unique software architecture utilizing Lockheed Martin Proprietary Socrates Software for vehicle simulations in the RPL. This will support future work under SERPS.

Government. With the proposal submittal, the contractor will also be required to submit certified cost or pricing data. 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. AANA shall be required to submit a proposal based on the Request for Proposal that will be issued to them after the approval of this JOFOC. For the proposal to be deemed fair and reasonable the Government, in accordance with NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1815.404-2, will prepare a detailed cost and price evaluation which will consider actuals incurred under the previous contract and technical analysis The proposal analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable.

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:

A notice of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source action was synopsized on the GPE website (Sam.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2. The synopsis was posted on April 12, 2024, and closed on April 27, 2024. No companies responded to the synopsis (see Section 10).

NASA conducted additional market research on seven avionics manufacturers. A review of seven avionics manufacturers was conducted to locate a company capable of providing the required service in the required timeframe. They reviewed vendor literature for specific expertise and products that would match the requirements. Results are as follows:

Boeing – The company is building the Starliner crew capsule spacecraft under NASA's Commercial Crew Development program with the primary purpose to transport crew to the International Space Station (ISS). They are responsible for the creation of all spacecraft systems including crew display and control interfaces.

Collins Aerospace –The company builds displays and controls for next-generation fighters.

They provide display technology for the F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display System to an integrated digital vision system that provides enhanced situational awareness. They have experience in flight deck automation, autonomous operations, spacesuits, and other flight systems.

Blue Origin – The company builds the Blue Moon lunar spacecraft atop, and launches it on a reusable cargo spacecraft, New Glenn. They are responsible for the creation of all spacecraft systems including crew display and control interfaces.

Astronautics Corporation of America - A global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of secure avionics equipment and systems for the commercial and military aerospace industry. Key product areas include electronic primary flight and engine displays, connected aircraft and cyber solutions, electronic flight bags, and certified servers for airborne applications. Services include avionics system integration and custom software for critical applications.

Performance Software - A leading systems development firm serving safety and mission-critical industries specializing in embedded software, hardware, and airworthiness certification. Performance has experience to deliver high-quality solutions, both on-time and on-budget, for Advanced and Urban Air Mobility, Aviation, Space, Defense, and other safety-critical sectors.

SNC Space Systems – The company is building the Dream Chaser spacecraft and Sierra Force MH-60 aircraft which modernize remanufactured UH-60L Black Hawks with an updated digital avionics suite and mission-specific equipment. They are responsible for the creation of all spacecraft systems including crew display and control interfaces.

SpaceX – The company builds the Dragon spacecraft, a reusable crewed spacecraft launched into orbit by the company's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. SpaceX also builds the crewed Starship Lunar Lander. They are responsible for the creation of all spacecraft systems including crew display and control interfaces.

From the review of these companies’ expertise and list of products, it was determined that AANA is the only experienced source that won’t cause a duplication of cost or significant negative impact to schedule. The major factors in this conclusion include experience with Orion display and control systems and the prototype coding knowledge that defines the entire crew/spacecraft interface required by the Government to perform this work. None of the other companies listed possesses the specific Orion display and control software prototyping and hardware experience needed to provide the required service in the required timeframe.

There is insufficient time to learn these complex systems in order to meet critical spacecraft milestone dates required by the Government. These companies do not possess the required background and experience necessary to successfully execute the required prototyping processes which have evolved over 15 years.

Based on this market study, it was concluded that only AANA can provide expertise that can meet the Government’s technical requirements and delivery schedule without severe duplication of costs and schedule impacts.

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

A. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9)(i) – Explanation of why technical data packages, specifications, engineering description, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not applicable: The SERPS projects requires the application of human machine interface rapid prototyping techniques to the design and implementation of next generation spacecraft, spacesuits, space hardware display and control systems. Commercial manufacturers do not offer rapid prototyping solutions for next generation space environment displays and controls or have the specific extensive knowledge of the spacecraft display design and infrastructure such as those developed through Phases 1 through 5. AANA is presently performing the work under Contract 80JSC020D0007. Work on previous contracts since