JOFOC Element 84 6.3.24 (3).pdf

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

GEORGE C. 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 modify the existing contract number 80MSFC23CA017 with Element 84 with additional scope of work to support visualization services and data analysis. This action will not modify the contract period of performance which ends on September 30, 2024.

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 to increase the level of effort and scope of work to enhance visualization services to support the development of open-source tools/services. This addition builds on Element 84’s current scope of work which focuses on providing a lightweight cloud- native data search, discovery and distribution service needed for the earth observation data science portfolio of NASA’s Earth Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate.

The current contract period of performance is July 29, 2023, through September 30, 2024.

This addition will not extend the current period of performance. The estimated cost of this action is $98,015.

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, is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, is described below:

1. Element 84 is currently conducting the work necessary to meet the highly specialized expertise required to complete this addition in scope. Significant investment was made to acquire this unique experience and capability, and present engagement needs to continue without interruption to ensure IMPACT project continuity.

2. Element 84’s current contract requirements align with the additional FY24 requirements needed which ensures continuous operation of services without disruption to schedule or other ongoing contract deliverables. The additional work required is only needed until September 30, 2024. Award to any other source during this short period of performance would result in duplication of cost, unacceptable schedule impacts, and a break in continuity of services. An estimated 8-month schedule delay would occur (3 months for new procurement acquisition plus 3 months for acquisition and familiarization of personnel) should a contractor other than Element 84 be utilized for meeting the needs of NASA and the IMPACT Project.

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 May 14, 2024, and closed on May 29, 2024, 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 negotiation and establishment of a fair and reasonable price will be done in accordance with FAR Part 15.

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 separate formal market survey was not conducted for the proposed acquisition. This contract was awarded under full and open competition. This additional 4-month effort is needed to fulfill additional requirements to incorporate iterative feedback to “enhance visualization services based on API user experience design” as part of Task 3 (of 5) to “develop open-source tools/services to deliver data from cloud for visualization and geospatial analysis" ending on September 30, 2024. The Element 84 contract is currently on-going, and an attempt to award a new quarter WYE contract which cannot be completed before the end of the period of performance is not practical nor in the best interest of the government.

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). No credible 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.

SCALABLE SCIENCE DATA EXPLORATION

CONTRACT 80MSFC23CA017

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

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

David Hood Project Manager/ST14 Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT)

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

DAVID

HOOD

Digitally signed by DAVID HOOD Date: 2024.06.03 10:47:46 -05'00'

Jason Arnold Digitally signed by Jason Arnold Date: 2024.06.03 11:05:40 -05'00'