JOFOC for GV_Redacted_.pdf

Rev.:5/2025

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For 80AFRC25R0025/Gulfstream V (GV) Aircraft

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) AFRC.

The procuring agency is the NASA, and the contracting activity is AFRC.

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 contract using a brand-name description to specify a particular product peculiar to one manufacturer for a GV aircraft which is required to meet NASA’s mission pertaining to International Space Station (ISS) direct crew return and the associated collection of critical science data.

Currently, the Agency returns crew members on a GV aircraft that was purchased by the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 2016 in partnership with the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). As part of this partnership, the existing GV (N95NA) was uniquely and heavily modified with multiple nadir, remote sensing portals, significant wiring modifications to deliver power and data to installed payloads, and much more. N95NA was operated as a partnership between the astronaut and science missions completing remote sensing research when the aircraft was not returning astronauts. JSC operated the GV for a total of 633.6 flight hours in Calendar Year 2019 (CY19) successfully executing all direct return missions and five separate SMD missions, including Antarctic overflights.

Following the resumption of significant flight activities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, GV mission requirements for the astronaut and science missions rapidly increased, straining JSC’s availability to support both. The success of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP) resulted in a significant increase in astronaut GV mission requirements. In addition to the standard Kazakhstan flights, JSC has required the larger cabin of the GV to return a maximum of four astronauts from domestic landing locations (up from two) as well as provide transportation to the launch site for prime crew, families, and mission managers due to strict medical quarantine requirements. In addition, science flight requests increased fourfold between 2020 and 2023. The result was maintenance and astronaut support missions filled most of the schedule with SMD not being able to execute any significant mission with the aircraft. SMD ended operational financial support in CY24 when it was only able to execute a single, small technology demonstration flight totaling 19.2 flight hours in CY24.

This justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition for the acquisition of a GV aircraft. The aircraft will fulfill flight requirements to provide health-stabilized transportation with the necessary level of security for International Space Station (ISS) crew members returning from low-earth orbit after long-duration missions. This acquisition would replace N95NA at JSC for astronaut support missions. In turn, N95NA would then become fully available to support SMD missions and make use of the expensive, one-of-a-kind modifications.

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 acquisition of a GV aircraft is required to meet NASA’s mission pertaining to ISS direct crew return and the associated collection of critical science data. Because these aircraft are no longer being built by Gulfstream Aerospace, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the aircraft must be acquired from the open market via a competitive solicitation process.

Aircraft spare parts and other materials are readily available on the open market from both the OEM and numerous third-party suppliers. The solicitation’s Statement of Work (SOW) will include requirements necessary to acquire an airworthy aircraft capable of supporting the Agency’s missions.

Based on current market conditions, the estimated cost of initial acquisition is approximately

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(c), Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, Application for brand-name descriptions.

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 the unique speed, capacity, and range characteristics of the GV, combined with the existing expertise and infrastructure at JSC, made it the only viable aircraft to perform the direct crew return mission as described below.

This acquisition is essential to the Government’s requirements and precludes consideration of products manufactured by another company. After extensive research, JSC determined that a GV was the only choice of aircraft that provided the necessary 5,000 nm range, Mach 0.86 cruising speed, and cabin flexibility to meet requirements while minimizing the operational, logistical, and maintenance impact at the JSC Aircraft Operations Division. The GV was at least 85% parts compatible with the existing Agency Gulfstream aircraft and required limited additional aircrew and maintenance type-specific ground school training. The initial cost avoidance realized by standardization of the aircraft fleet was approximately $3.5 million.

Additionally, the acquisition of a non-Gulfstream aircraft would have required the addition of three maintenance personnel instead of the one proposed for the GV. This disparity was due to the nature of maintaining different makes of aircraft; a non-Gulfstream platform would require significant initial and recurring training and would diminish the flexibility of the mechanic workforce to support other Agency Gulfstream aircraft.

This new acquisition follows in the legacy of the previous procurement maintaining the same unique qualifications as well as the efficiency of operational continuity from one GV to another for the astronaut return mission.

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) will be published with the solicitation in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting will inform potential sources of NASA’s intent to award a brand-name description specific for the GV. In addition, the justification will be posted with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 6.302- 1(c)(1)(ii)(C). Any responses received as a result of the publication will be thoroughly evaluated and documented in the contract file.

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 utilizing all applicable proposal analysis techniques found under FAR 15.404-1 and as identified in the solicitation.

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):

The market survey for this procurement was a Conklin and de Decker cost comparison study and thorough reviews of catalogs and other available product literature including Jet Agency Gulfstream Market Report and Amstat Corporation Market Scan. Additional market research was conducted to assess current market conditions and pricing for Gulfstream V aircraft. An online search on June 3, 2025, identified several aircraft for sale, with prices ranging from approximately for a 1995 model to for a 2002 model. Listings

GV Aircraft / 80AFRC25R0025

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

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

Matthew Berry Technical Representative

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

Jennifer Schnarr Contracting Officer

APPROVED:

Jennifer Stock Chief of Contracting Office Competition Advocate Armstrong Flight Research Center