JOFOC Hugh Christian_v2 - 09.01.21.pdf

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JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS (NA-10)

Contract 89233121CNA000223 September 1, 2021

I. AGENCY IDENTITY AND CONTRACTING OFFICE

The Office of Defense Programs (NA-10) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in conjunction with the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) plan to contract with Dr. Hugh Christian, Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, by means of other than full and open competition to serve as an independent reviewer on the jointly-sponsored AFNWC/NNSA Lightning Environments Blue Ribbon Panel.

The contracting activity is the NNSA HQ Service Acquisition Branch (HSAB) NA-APM- 126.

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING APPROVED

This document sets forth the justification and approval for an exception to full and open competition allowed under the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) and FAR 13.106- 1(b)(1)(i). This new contract action is for a 4-month sole source acquisition to Dr. Hugh Christian through the University of Alabama in Huntsville (301 Sparkman Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35899) to serve as a Lightning Environments Blue Ribbon Panel Expert in support of DOE and DoD Weapons Programs objectives.

III. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES AND/OR SERVICES

It is important to establish credible lightning environments that a nuclear weapon could encounter over the course of its lifetime. The purpose of the Lightning Environments Blue Ribbon Panel is to provide an independent technical review of both current and recently proposed new environments as well as peer review findings in order to inform decisions about possible changes to requirements for both new and existing weapon systems.

To support the project, Dr. Christian, will be required to provide work in a number of distinct task areas to include:

1. Establishing familiarity with current lightning environments specifications (military standards) in use and the data sets used to inform them (through documentation review/briefings/Q&A)

Susan.Combs Cross-Out New Contract # 89233121CNA000232

Susan.Combs Cross-Out New Contract #89233121CNA000232

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2. Developing a full understanding of the proposed environment changes and peer review findings (through documentation review/briefings/Q&A)

3. Using lightning expertise, and working with other panel members, provide a technical review to help determine credible environments and evaluate particular areas-of-concern.

4. Co-Authoring a panel report and provide a mid-term and final outbrief of findings

Work is estimated to require 160 hours and will require two 3-day trips to Albuquerque, NM. This effort will be spread over a four-month time interval. The cost will be $31,262.

IV. AUTHORITY

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302- 1 entitled “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements”.

V. APPLICATION OF AUTHORITY

Dr. Christian has a unique capability because he is a nationally recognized expert in the field of lightning physics with many years of experience. The physics of lightning is highly complex and not completely understood. The candidate pool of experienced subject matter experts is limited. Additional restrictions on the candidate pool include the need to be available on the necessary near-term timeframe and requiring no conflicts of interest due to previous or ongoing collaborations in an overlapping topical area with either the USAF or NNSA. This makes the candidate pool limited. Dr.

Christian was among the top of a very short list of experts that met all the requirements needed for this panel.

VI. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL SOURCES

Both the NNSA and the USAF Program offices consulted experts in the field to identify candidate lightning experts. The author lists from literature on lightning research were reviewed to identify additional candidates. These candidates were combined and evaluated against the requirements, as described in Section VIII below. Those who did not meet requirements were removed. The remaining candidates were ranked according to relevant expertise and experience and were contacted by ranking order to gauge their interest and availability in participating.

VII. DETERMINATION OF REASONABLENESS OF COST OR PRICE

It is the determination of the Contracting Officer that the anticipated costs will be fair and reasonable based on the cost estimate provided by the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE).

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VIII. MARKET RESEARCH

The Blue Ribbon Panel requires individuals with very specific expertise. Both the NNSA and the USAF Program offices consulted experts in the field to identify possible candidate lightning experts. The program offices also reviewed the author lists from literature on lightning research to identify additional candidates for an initial review. The two candidate lists were combined and evaluated against the requirements identified below. Those who did not meet requirements were removed from further consideration.

The remaining candidates (7 total) were ranked according to relevant expertise and experience and were contacted by ranking order to gauge their interest and availability to participate. Of the 7 candidates that met requirements, 5 were contacted. Two were from NASA. Of these, one was not interested (retired) and the logistical complications to securing the service of the other candidate would have put the schedule at-risk. Of the three final candidates chosen, two were also affiliated with small consulting companies and were identified through their academic affiliation. We note that the majority of lightning related companies focus on lightning protection, whereas this panel will focus on the specification of the lightning environments themselves. The majority of eligible candidates are affiliated with universities or research organizations. The requirements for acceptable candidates included:

1. Must be a Ph.D. in the field of lightning physics with a minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience.

2. Must be a nationally recognized expert in the field of lightning physics.

3. Must be available starting in September 2021.

4. Must not have participated in any previous or ongoing collaborations in an overlapping topical area with either the USAF or NNSA.

IX. OTHER FACTS

None.

X. INTERESTED SOURCES

None.

XI. STEPS TO FOSTER COMPETITION

The Blue Ribbon Panel Review is expected to be a highly-specialized one-time-only endeavor. Future service from lightning experts is not anticipated. As such, no plans are being made to foster competition.

XII. CERTIFICATIONS

Acquisition Initiator/Technical Representative:

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I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance, which are included in this justification and which form a basis for this justification, are complete and accurate.

___________________________ __8/12/2021_____________ Signature Date

Contracting Officer:

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since this effort does not exceed $150K, this certification serves as approval.

____________________ _09/01/2021_________ Signature Date