JOFOC for M4 Tornado Micro-XRF-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 Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer.

1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303-2(b)(1) Identification of the agency and

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) M4 Tornado Plus Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The instrument will include operating software, extended warranty, and incidental training and installation services. The recommended source of supply is Bruker Axs, Inc. 5465 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711. 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

The instrument will be used in support of the Chemistry and Life Sciences Laboratory, NASA KSC Analytical Laboratories Branch. The Chemistry and Life Sciences laboratory requires one (1) M4 Tornado Plus Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer in order to effectively and efficiently identify, assess, and understand unknown materials and contaminants

The current process to identify and assess unknown materials and contaminants is labor and time intensive requiring one (1) to a total of three (3) separate analysis techniques to obtain comparable data: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS); and/or inductively coupled plasma (ICP); and/or optical microscopy. In order to obtain accurate data, the current process often requires further handling and multiple cuts to a sample for analysis and can cause the sample to be purged or destroyed in the process resulting in inaccurate or incomplete data. Additionally, the data collected from these analysis techniques must be manually compared and reviewed for coding accuracy.

Analysis at the current rate can take up to 8 hours to process.

The M4 Tornado Plus Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer is the only instrument found in the open market to combine the different analysis methods described above, provide for sample preservation, and produce rapid, accurate, and complete sample coding data to meet the technical requirements of the Chemistry and Life Sciences Laboratory. The proposed instrument significantly reduces sample preparation time and requires one process to produce chemical information as fast as 12 seconds. The data generated from the proposed equipment comes in the following accurate and complete data forms: optical image, elemental map (picture with elemental distribution), spectra evaluation, and numerical tables.

In order to obtain the same or similar data with the current process, additional sample preparation and multiple analysis techniques would be required.

The proposed instrument utilizes optics to raster a focused x-ray beam with a spot size of <20 and fluoride.

Comparable micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometers in the open market are limited to elements above sodium and would require the employment of additional labor and time intensive analysis techniques. The proposed instrument allows for greater sample sizes and designed to handle up to ~7kg sample load with sample sizes up to 13-inch in width and 6.7-inch in length, enhancing the ability to get chemical information from relatively larger parts and components than the current process and provides elemental mapping of large, flat, or irregular shaped samples. Comparable micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometers in the open market are not equipped with an X-Y-Z motorized stage, and cannot produce elemental mapping, line scan, and multi-point scan information.

Accurately identifying unknown materials and contaminants are critical to aerospace flight systems for effective risk and safety assessment and analysis. The proposed instrument will provide additional capabilities and enhance the Chemistry and Life Sciences Laboratory by significantly reducing sample preparation and analysis lead time, the need to cut multiple samples, and reduce the risks of purging samples and human error in the data analysis stage.

The 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) qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

Pursuant to FAR 6.302-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.

No other supplier can provide a micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometer meeting the technical requirements described in Section 3 above. The manufacturer, Bruker Axs, Inc., is the only supplier of the M4 Tornado Plus Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer and retails the instrument directly to consumers. Additionally, no other vendors are authorized for the sale and distribution of the proposed equipment.

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:

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 for one (1) M4 Tornado Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer or provide a suitable alternative.

The contract specialist 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 contract specialist performed a Dynamic Small Business Search and identified 62 small businesses listed under NAICS 334516, Mass spectrometers manufacturing. Additionally, 107 vendors from the GSA Multiple Award Schedule 339113LAB Laboratory Equipment were identified. All vendors were contacted with the salient characteristics and requested to provide an alternative instrument comparable to the M4 Tornado. Two vendors responded (Apex OmniSource LLC and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments) and both offered the following alternative instrument: Shimadzu Scientific EDX-8100.

The technical specifications for the Shimadzu Scientific EDX-8100 were provided to

AST, Earth Biosphere Studies NE-L3 Analytical Labs for technical review.

Upon completion, determined the alternative equipment proposed is not equipped with an X-Y-Z motorized stage and cannot provide the elemental mapping, line scan and automated multi-point scan information. The M4 Tornedo has dual radiation sources, rhodium and tungsten, compared to EDX-8100 and other comparable XRF systems in the open market. Having two different radiation sources improves the detection limit of specific elements. The M4 Tornedo is also equipped with two detectors, offering higher throughput. As a result of using a Shimadzu Scientific EDX-8100, the Chemistry and Life Sciences Laboratory would need to engage in additional sample analysis and detection methods as a substitute to produce the required data.

Based on the market research, the Government is confident there is no feasible alternative to the M4 Tornado Plus micro x-ray fluorescence 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 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.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer.

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

Technical Representative

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

Contracting Officer