JOFOC UCF Analysis of Lunar Volatiles_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:01/2021

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For Post-Doctoral Applicant for Analysis of Lunar Volatiles

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 non-personal services for one (1) Post-Doctoral Applicant for Analysis of Lunar Volatiles via a

Mass Spectrometer System for Lunar Operations. The recommended source of service is the University of

Central Florida 12565 Research Pkwy, Ste 2826, Orlando, FL 32826-3260. The period of performance will be for two (2) years after award of 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 KSC Exploration Research and Technology Program, Applied Science Branch (UB-R3) is responsible for providing research and technology services to NASA and contractor customers at KSC. This acquisition is for non-personal services, for one (1) Post-Doctoral Applicant to perform analysis of lunar volatiles via a mass spectrometer system for lunar operations. The work includes validation and verification testing of flight hardware on site at the Kennedy Space Center. The position will support in-depth data analysis, procedure generation, and report generation for instrument operation in the lab, during flight hardware integration, and from true lunar environments during mission operation. Data analysis will be used to generate

MSolo instrument products which are ultimately delivered to the NASA Planetary Data System. Key skill sets include mass spectrometer data analysis, statistical analysis, mass spectrometer operation and optimization, report writing, and operation of vacuum systems. A 40-hour work week is anticipated for the applicant, with execution on-site, at the Kennedy Space Center.

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(a)(2)(i)(A) which permits contracting without providing for full and open competition when research services needed by the Agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources, and demonstrates a unique and innovative concept, or, demonstrates a unique capability of the source to provide the particular research services proposed.

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 which 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.

Mass Spectrometry is the recommended analytical technique for various chemical analysis which require some form of quantification. The University of Central Florida’s Preeminent Post-Doctoral Program (P3) contains a highly qualified pool of applicants in the field of mass spectroscopy and data analysis, and enabled to support the unique mission of the NASA KSC Exploration Research and Technology Program, Applied Science

Branch.

The University of Central Florida is uniquely qualified and successfully performed mass spectrometry and analysis of lunar volatiles services for the Applied Science Branch. Non-performance by the University of

Central Florida would negatively impact the continuity of operations and mission of the Applied Science

Branch, Research and Technology Program and further impact the ability to produce MSolo instrument products which are ultimately delivered to the NASA Planetary Data System. Additional time and costs would be realized to search, train, and properly equip, qualified applicants unfamiliar with the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the required services. The execution of this post-doctoral applicant through the University of Central Florida fulfills the Government’s requirement and provides additional value by potentially reducing the labor hours devoted to the use of mass spectrometers and gas chromatographs in the analysis of lunar volatiles. As a result, the increased manpower will allow the Government to efficiently utilize and support other assignments and areas within the Applied Science Branch contributing to the overall mission of the Exploration Research and Technology Program.

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 the Contracting Officer has determined 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 the final agreed-to price for the contract action is 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 performed in accordance with FAR 10.001(a)(2)(iii) Policy and 10.002(b)(2)(v)

Procedures. Market research was conducted by , the Principal Investigator (PI) for Mass

Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo). MSolo uses a modified commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)

Mass Spectrometer. met with a number of experts in Mass Spectroscopy at the International Harsh

Environment Mass Spectroscopy conferences and has had a number of conversations with industry leads over the last several years regarding expertise available in this field. As a result, the UBR3 NASA Branch identified and determined the need for a post-doctoral candidate with training and experience with not just mass spectrometer data interpretation and analysis, but also instrument operation for the successful performance of this requirement.

The NASA KSC Exploration Research and Technology Program, Applied Science Branch (UB-R3) previously worked directly with the University of Central Florida’s Preeminent Post-Doctoral Program (P3) for the performance of the same required research services, as detailed in contract UCF successfully completed this contract with satisfactory performance.

Based on the market research and as demonstrated in the performance of the University of

Central Florida is a responsible sole-source possessing the resources required to effectively and efficiently manage the Government’s project: the University of Central Florida has the research experience; institutional knowledge; and personnel intimately familiar with the analysis of lunar volatiles via a mass spectrometer system for lunar operations, MSolo lunar payloads, the current direction of the proposed research, research site, and Government’s requirements.

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 will be 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

Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

For Post-Doctoral Applicant for Analysis of Lunar Volatiles

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

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