JOFOC - EHP Field Comm Architecture_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For 80JSC023 Communications Architecture

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 “JOFOC.”

This document is a JOFOC prepared by NASA JSC.

The procuring Agency is 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 Vinco, Inc.

NASA’s Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) performs field site tests which include simulations of Artemis surface operations. These simulations integrate multiple EHP assets, providing physical representation of lunar surface operations as well as mission-like data generation, recording, networking, and interaction.

Human test subjects wear spacesuit mockups providing networked informatics capabilities including voice audio, helmet camera video, and position, navigation, and timing (PNT) data.

Mockups of vehicles such as the Human Landing System, Lunar Terrain Vehicle, and Pressurized Rover as well as tools, instruments, and payloads, all have their own data generation, recording, networking, and data interaction use cases.

As the real Artemis mission architecture for communication and networking is being planned, with incremental changes implemented in each mission, EHP will emulate these mission conditions in field site tests of surface operations. A flexible field communication architecture is required to integrate multiple types of hardware, frequency bands, and network protocols.

Vinco, Inc., is the only vendor capable of providing a communications system solution that includes network management middleware that is agnostic to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hardware and waveform media (frequency bands and network protocols). This capability will enable NASA field tests to integrate and evaluate different hardware, frequency bands, and network protocols from one test to the next.

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):

EHP performs several field site-tests each year to support the development and evaluation of the EHP integrated system to be used in Artemis III and subsequent Artemis missions. For these field site tests to be successful, EHP requires a field communication architecture that includes all the hardware, software, and networking to enable all surface asset data generation, recording, networking, and interfacing. This architecture includes cabling, computers, encoders, switches, radios, and other necessary hardware. For each test, based on the objectives of the test, software and networking configuration is necessary including, but not limited to, network management, data processing, secure tunnels/Virtual Private Network (VPN) between the field site and JSC, and the ability to patch audio to a conference call.

EHP requires system diagrams with descriptions explaining the overall system, make/model of each component, connection details to include cable/connector types, and details of the audio, video, and PNT data streams, and the size, weight, and power of each component.

EHP requires operations manuals and training of NASA personnel to operate and maintain the system and to troubleshoot issues. EHP will perform some tests using this system without direct support of the contractor.

EHP requires in-person support from the contractor for at least one field site test per calendar year with a maximum duration of 30 days. This support includes, but is not limited to, setup, operation of, and cleanup of the system, including a base station radio tower and a backhaul connection between field site and JSC with a secure tunnel/VPN. The backhaul connection shall provide a minimum of 50 Mbps of continuous throughput from field to JSC (less bandwidth from JSC to field is acceptable).

The field test communication architecture shall be agnostic to OEM hardware and to waveform media (frequency bands and protocols) because NASA is evaluating multiple options for hardware, frequency bands, and network protocols. An agile and flexible field test communication architecture will enable NASA to support multiple tests configured for different mission conditions in each year. For the scope of this request a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) solution must be used for the field network, for the “S/G” audio channel, and for all video, telemetry, and commanding data streams. Alternate solutions (other than 3GPP) for the other field network audio channels (Field Comm and Sim Coord) are acceptable as long as the field team maintains audio communication with the Extra Vehicular test subjects (EV1 and EV2) and to JSC from anywhere in the test area on the “Field Comm” and “Sim Coord” audio channels.

These requirements will be met through a firm-fixed-price contract.

The estimated potential value is , inclusive of option periods. The anticipated start date is August 18, 2023, with a performance period that extends through November 30, 2024, and with two 1-year option periods that if exercised will extend the period of performance through November 30, 2026. Initial integration tests will be performed from August through September 2023. The first field site test requiring in-person support and implementation of this new communication architecture is in late September through early October 2023.

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 as described below.

Vinco, Inc., is the only vendor capable of providing a communications system solution including network management middleware that is agnostic to OEM hardware and waveform media (frequency bands and network protocols). In other words, Vinco, Inc., is the only known provider with an existing network management solution that integrates multiple types of radios from different manufacturers, operating on different frequency bands, using different network protocols, within a single network. This solution is based on proprietary software that only Vinco, Inc., can provide. Vinco’s network core solution, known as RIDUX, will serve as the foundation for the 3GPP 4G/5G network platform. With the unique approach of being a firmware provider, Vinco is able to integrate on various hardware solutions and operate with most commercial OEM radio manufactures. This flexible ability of operation provides a space to work with any Internet Protocol-based waveform to create a network of networks. The RIDUX solution in this network of networks has several key infrastructure capabilities along with securities that meet the current 3GPP standards. In creating a network of networks, RIDUX provides a completely decentralized network. The tactic is each network node becomes its own core network. This capability will enable NASA field tests to integrate and evaluate different hardware, frequency bands, and network protocols from one test to the next without requiring custom software updates for every change in network architecture. For example, if EHP desires to perform a field site test using a communication architecture that uses a combination of 4G LTE, UHF, and Wi-Fi, Vinco, Inc., provides a single network management solution.

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 June 1, 2023, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to Vinco, 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 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. In accordance with FAR Part 13, to ensure a fair and reasonable price, the Government will use various price analysis techniques such as comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid for similar items, comparison with public commercial rates for similar items, and analysis of data other than certified 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 market research was not conducted:

The special notice for this requirement was published on the GPE website identifying the NASA requirement and affording potential offerors the opportunity to submit capability statements. No responses were received from potential sources.

An analysis of the marketplace revealed that that the required items meet the definition of commercial items in accordance with FAR 2.101, Definitions.

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

In support of Agency-strategic sourcing initiatives, the Strategic Sourcing Repository, Enhanced Procurement Data Warehouse, and Federal Procurement Data Systems were reviewed to search for existing contracts with Vinco, potential vendors, and/or to see if this work was in scope of existing contracts. However, due to the highly specialized nature of this requirement, it was determined that there are currently no existing NASA contracts available that meet the Government’s need.

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 synopsis was posted to beta.sam.gov on June 1, 2023, and closed on June 8, 2023. No responses were received.

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.