JOFOC for CHNOS Elemental Analyzer_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:01/2021

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Delta Q Isotope Ration Mass Spectrometer

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) Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is John F. Kennedy 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 for the acquisition of one (1) Thermo Scientific Delta Q Isotope Ration Mass Spectrometer (IRMS). The instrument will include operating software, elemental analyzer, extended warranty, and incidental training and installation services. The recommended source of supply is Thermo Electron North America LLC 1400 North Pointe Parkway Ste #10, West Palm Beach, CL 33407. The proposed action will be a firm-fixed price contract.

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 NASA Investigative Chemistry Laboratory (NICL) and Component Refurbishment and Chemical Analysis (CRCA) requires one (1) Delta Q Isotope Ration Mass Spectrometer with software, installation, and training. This instrument will be used in a combined effort between NICL and CRCA to increase the analytical and research capabilities at NASA KSC. The instrument is required in order to effectively and efficiently: identify, assess, and understand unknown materials and contaminants which pose a risk to the safety of NASA’s aerospace flight systems.

The combined estimated value of the proposed instrument, software, installation, and training is

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. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 which permits contracting without providing for full and open competition when the supplies or services needed by the Agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy the needs of the Agency.

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:

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(ii), the agency’s minimum needs can only be satisfied by unique supplies that are available from only one or a limited number of sources or from only one or a limited number of suppliers with unique capabilities. The rationale supporting 6.302-1(b)(1)(ii) is described below.

This instrument will be used in a combined effort between NICL and CRCA to increase the analytical and research capabilities at KSC. The carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen (CHNS/O) elemental analyzer with isotopic ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS) has a unique capability to analyze organic material for carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. The instrument can then further differentiate each of the elements from each of their respective isotopes.

Currently, many projects require additional costs and the use of third-party laboratories for analysis and most third-party laboratories cannot provide a complete CHNS/O analysis. As a result, researchers must predict the compound’s elemental make-up increasing the risk of error.

Furthermore, not all third-party laboratories are willing to share raw analytical data and therefore researchers may end up paying for unusable data.

The EA-IRMS will not only allow for in-house organic elemental analysis but it will also allow researchers to be able to determine the sources of their elements via the IRMS. Multiple vendors sell variations of organic elemental analyzers; however, the Thermo Scientific Delta Q Isotope Ration Mass Spectrometer has several unique capabilities not found in other organic elemental analyzers currently available in the open commercial market.

Through market research, the Thermo Scientific Delta Q is identified as the only one with the capability to support continuous analysis of all elements. Normal operation of other alternative instruments will require an analyst to analyze CHN, turn off the instrument, physically switch components, and then analyze samples for OHS. The Thermo Scientific Delta Q IRMS has a unique switch valve and dual furnace system coupled with an autosampler programmed for sample reloading.

This specification allows for efficient and accurate data with minimal instrument down time. The NICL and CRCA will require less time for personnel to complete analysis, and as a result reduces the overall costs associated with labor, additional equipment, or for third-party laboratory analysis. The Thermo Scientific EA-IRMS also has the capability to analyze nonabundant elements (e.g., nitrogen and sulfur) in the presence of high abundant ones (e.g., carbon), thus minimizing over dilution and detector saturation. This is done by utilizing the IRMS along with a unique patented sample introduction process.

Accurately determining CHNS/O values in organic compounds is critical to agricultural, geological, biological, and petrochemical analyses is critical to support NASA-KSC mission. The proposed instrument will provide additional capabilities to both NICL and CRCA to future assist in effective and efficient research and Space Port operations.

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 of proposed action will be transmitted to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (beta.sam.gov) in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. Any responses received as a result of the published notice will be appropriately dispositioned and documented in an addendum to this document.

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 will 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 will be 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 a market research was not conducted:

Market research was conducted in accordance with FAR Part 10, in order to assess the commerciality and determine if additional sources can satisfy the Government’s requirement for one Delta Q Isotope Mass Spectrometer or to provide a suitable alternative.

The Contracting Officer queried open Internet sources, Government-wide databases of contracts, and other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies: Interagency Contract Directory, Federal Prison Industries/UNICOR, and AbilityOne. Other than the manufacturer, the required supply is not offered or available from these sources.

The Contracting Officer performed a Dynamic Small Business Search and identified 11 small businesses listed under NAICS 334516, Mass spectrometers manufacturing. Additionally, 99 vendors from the GSA Multiple Award Schedule 339113LAB Laboratory Equipment were identified. All vendors were contacted with the salient characteristics and requested to provide the actual or an alternative instrument comparable to the Delta Q Isotope Mass Spectrometer. All vendors were non-responsive.

CRCA and NICL determined the required instrument standard to meet each laboratory’s analytical requirements: 1) requires a large linear dynamic range; 2) be modular for unforeseen future use; 3) relatively high throughput; and 4) the potential for characterization.

Two possible alternative instruments found in the open market were compared to Thermo Scientific’s EA-IRMS: the Elementar vario Macro cube and the Perkin Elmer 2400 CHNS Organic Elemental Analyzer:

The Elementar vario Macro cube will not meet the Government’s requirement because the instrument will require long downtimes to switch between analytical modes and had limited potential for characterization.

The PerkinElmer 2400 CHNS Organic Elemental Analyzer currently available in the market will not meet the Government’s requirement because it did not have the ability to analyze for oxygen nor offer any level of modulation.

As a result, CRCA and NICL both determined the Thermo Scientific Delta Q EA-IRMS is the only equipment with a unique capability to fit both CRCA and NICL technical requirements.

Based on the market research, the Government is confident there is no feasible alternative to the Delta Q Isotope Mass Spectrometer. No other supplier can provide an instrument that meets the required specifications or provide the required analysis data.

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).

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 vast majority of KSC services and supplies contracts are awarded after full and open competition.

KSC actively promotes competition for contract whenever possible. 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.

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

I hereby certify that the above justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.