Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) for ABB Spectroradiometer - Final.pdf_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:5/2024

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For ABB MR304SC Spectroradiometer

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) IT Procurement Office (ITPO).

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is the NASA ITPO.

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 with a brand-name contract for ABB MR304SC spectroradiometer, telescope, and the associated software. Technical specifications for the sensor and software are included in the attached SOW.

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 requested spectroradiometer will be an addition to the sensing suite available in Code KA at Glenn Research Center (GRC). The ABB MR304SC spectroradiometer is a sensor that meets all the technical specifications. The spectroradiometer will be utilized as a light measurement tool that is able to measure both the wavelength and amplitude of the light emitted from a light source. Spectrometers discriminate the wavelength based on the position the light hits at the detector array allowing the full spectrum to be obtained with a single acquisition. The required system consists of a spectroradiometer with two input and two output ports. The system features simultaneous data acquisition from the two output ports (configured with a MCT and an InSb detector). One input port is used to fix a reference cancellation source. The other input port is designed to receive an input telescope and a viewing device. The MR304SC is equipped with stirling cooled detectors. The sensor is expected to be delivered with 26 weeks and is expected to cost approximately . The specific technical specifications are included in the attached SOW.

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 for acquisitions using the procedures in FAR subpart 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

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 41 U.S.C. 1901 is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as described below.

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) currently owns and operates an ABB MS304SC spectroradiometer. Purchasing a second, identical make and model will allow compatibility with both Centers and will allow them to collect spectroscopic measurements of similar materials or conditions that would ultimately be compared to one another. Having two identical sensors, one at ARC and one at GRC, will allow both research groups to take identical measurements of different test conditions and compare them to one another.

Instruments at ARC and GRC will be calibrated to the same standards and would be interoperable with one another. This will also allow the Centers to work on the same research at the same time, while in different locations. When measuring gas plumes or materials at specific conditions, slight variations in convective currents will cause variations in measurements. Being able to take two measurements at the same time, at the same location, will allow those two measurements to be directly compared to each other. Using a different make and model instrument would increase comparison uncertainty and would prohibitively limit test efficiency if only one instrument were available. The government has already invested significant time and money developing processing scripts for this specific make and model. Developing new processing techniques would be prohibitively expensive. Award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

ABB, Inc is the only company that manufactures the MS304SC spectroradiometer and that is able to take two inputs at the same time. The performance metrics for that instrument meet or exceed our measurement requirements for the project. Other manufactures such as Agilent Technologies, Konica Minolta, Jadak, Malvern Panalytica, and Nlir make spectroradiometers, however none have the required spectral range, resolution, or stability and none offer the comparative measurements that are built into the ABB MR304SC’s design.

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) was published on January 22, 2025, in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting informed potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source 4200882652 to ABB Inc. The results of this synopsis are summarized in Section 10 below.

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 quote to be evaluated and negotiated by the Government. Prior to execution of the contractual instrument, a quote analysis will be performed. The quote analysis will ensure that 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 market research was not conducted (e.g., urgent, and compelling requirement):

A team of subject matter experts discussed the various spectroradiometers available on the market and determined that of the four options investigated, the MS304SC from ABB Inc met all of the required technical specifications. The following companies produce fieldable spectroradiometers: Jadak Technologies, Konica Minolta, Nlir, and Agilent Technologies and would be considered potential respondents; however, they did not meet the technical specifications identified in the Statement of Work.

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 was synopsized on the GPE website (Sam.gov) on January 22, 2025, with a closing date of February 6, 2025. ITC International, Inc. submitted a capability statement indicating that they are an ABB Authorized Partner. .

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.