JOFOC - STL Aero Static Test Control System Redacted.pdf

Rev.:01/2021

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPCE CENTER (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Structures Test Lab Aero Static Test Control System/ PR 4200758864

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), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is Lyndon B. Johnson 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 to award a sole-source contract with MTS Systems Corporation for a Structures Test Lab Aero Static Test Control System.

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 system we are replacing with this procurement is the Aero-ST Static Test Control and Data Acquisition system which is used in all static tests to support the NASA Structures Test Lab. The total estimated cost of this effort is $291,340.00, and the estimated lead-time for delivery is 90 Days.

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 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements (10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1))

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. 2304(c)(1) is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as described below.

This solicitation is for a replacement Aero Static Test Control System. The current system has been in use for 13 years and has been declared obsolete by the manufacturer because some of the parts are no longer available, which is causing failures that cannot be repaired.

NASA can leverage the existing tools and hardware installation experience to integrate the new system expediently and provide the best opportunity to meet NASA mission essential deadlines. The new system from the same vendor offers improved performance characteristics and is expected to have low maintenance requirements.

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 (beta.sam.gov) was published on 4/8/2021, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting will inform potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to MTS Systems Corporation.

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 proposed cost is determined to be fair and reasonable through market research.

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 via internet research and discussions with the customer to replace the existing Aero Static Test system that is used in the NASA Structures Test Lab.

The market research results determined that the replacement of the current obsolete test system from a new vendor will require upgraded or new equipment to assure compatibility, new procedures for operations, new training and certifications for all operators, and assumption of risk of delay if transition to an unfamiliar system does not go smoothly.

The Structures Test Lab must always be readily available to test for Aero Static in case of a flight anomaly/emergency or flight hardware for the International Space Station. Going with a historically reliable and familiar system reduces risk by insuring NASA has a certified, operational control and data acquisition system ready and available. In addition, a vastly different GUI (Graphical User Interface) would require more labor to get trained/certified on these systems and update associated documents. A new system would need to be certified for operation, the STL has to keep the old control system certified and operational, as well as, a separate data acquisition system.

The cost of such a new procurement is significantly more than going with a system that would integrate with existing Structures Test Lab infrastructure. A Different Vendor would mean:

Several procedures (operations, calibration, data acquisition, configuration control drawings) would need to be updated by Engineers & technicians. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): 100 manhours, approximate cost of $15,000.00

Personnel re-certification by Engineers & technicians on these systems before any operations. ROM: 120 manhours, approximate cost of $18,000.00

All instruments would need to be re-calibrated if another vendor is selected. ROM:

$50,000.00

The Structures Test Lab has an inventory of MTS instruments that could need to be replaced, upgraded or new cables built/ordered to interface with a different vendor system/connectors. Approximate cost of over $100,000.00.

Total approximate cost of replacing the obsolete system would be over $183,000.00

9. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

The Structures Test Lab personnel (both technicians and engineers) have been trained on and certified to operate the current test platform. Updating to the latest test system provided by MTS Corporation will assure that the upgrade will be smooth and that schedule and test delays will be mitigated by the existing system familiarity.

The Structures Test Lab has accumulated decades-worth collection of tools, test instruments, ancillary components, operations policies, SOP’s, etc. that are 100% compatible with or designed for operations and test with the Aero-ST static test control system.

MTS manufactures their own signal conditioning hardware as well as proprietary digital signal processing hardware. STL ancillary hardware was procured and then component matched and calibrated to properly interface with the MTS Aero-ST static test controller system. If another vendor were to provide the controller system, existing STL hardware/software tools would have to be replaced or refurbished, recalibrated and then recertified to perform to current acceptable levels required in the STL. Costs to perform such replacement are beyond the scope of this procurement.

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 at website (beta.sam.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2 on 4/8/2021 (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 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.