JOFOC_Angstrom Designs_80TECH25P0002_Redacted.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

IT Procurement Office (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Angstrom Designs pLED Solar Simulator Heads

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) IT Procurement Office (ITPO).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is IT Procurement Office (ITPO).

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 Angstrom Designs, Inc. for the pLED Solar Simulator Heads.

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 requirement is a follow-on action to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) LED Solar Simulator requirement awarded under 80TECH24PA012 to procure additional 5J AM0 pLED Head units to finish the Solar Array. This state-of-the-art pLED based solar simulator test system provides valuable solar array performance test data in support of future NASA missions. This serves to enhance MSFC’s current solar array testing capability.

The estimated value of this Fixed Firm Price procurement is and the estimated period of performance is 16 weeks ARO.

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 for acquisitions using the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

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 41 U.S.C. 1901 is Angstrom Designs, Inc. is the sole source provider for this requirement as described below.

Angstrom Designs provides LED-based programmable solar simulator test systems for testing multi-junction solar cell technology at the necessary spectrum (AM0) and power levels for space applications. This is highly specialized equipment that allows for the control and tunability NASA requires to accommodate the advancements in solar cell technology.

Other large-area LED-based solar simulators on the market, for example G2V Optics (Canada) and Avalon (Switzerland), are designed for testing single-junction terrestrial solar cells and therefore do not provide the required spectrum output and power levels needed for testing multi-junction solar cells for space applications. NASA issued 80TECH24PA012 to acquire a LED Solar Simulator. However, it was determined that an additional 5J AM0 pLEDss Head units would be required in order to finish the Solar Array acquired under the previous order. The additional heads would increase the beam area of the solar array tester to approximately 3ft x 3ft. This is necessary to accommodate the typical size of flight hardware.

Due to the highly specialized nature of the equipment in the Angstrom Designs LED-based programmable solar simulator, no other LED-based solar simulators can provide a solution that can integrate in NASA’s existing system.

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 February 26, 2025, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to Angstrom Designs, Inc. 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 quote to be evaluated by the Government. Prior to execution of the contractual instrument, a price analysis will be performed. The price 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 (e.g., urgent, and compelling requirement):

Through numerous email exchanges and phone calls between NASA ES/EM and Angstrom Designs since June 2023, Angstrom has provided the fully integrated LED based programmable solar simulator test system to meet NASA’s capability, budget, and lab space requirements. NASA’s market research shows Angstrom Design’s LED based test system is unique in its programmability and ability to test multi-junction cell technology at AM0 for space applications.

The following review of internet resources were reviewed for relevant information:

• NVDB: no results when searching for a company to provide LED based solar simulator test systems.

• Small Business Administration Dynamic Small Business Search: No companies were found that offer LED based solar simulator test systems.

• SAM.gov: Angstrom Designs and G2V Optics both have active registrations.

o G2V Optics: Offer a terrestrial, single junction solar simulator that is not suitable for testing multi-junction cell technology to the accuracy requirements needed for space applications.

o Angstrom Designs: Unique in its capability of testing multi-junction cell technology at the necessary spectrum and power levels needed for space environments.

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) per FAR Subpart 5.2 (See Section 6 above). The notice of intent to sole source was issued on February 26th, 2025, and closed on March 13, 2025. No responses to this notice were received.

As Angstrom Designs, Inc is the only provider for the solar simulator requested above for NASA MSFC, there are no other source for this product and services.

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.