Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:5/2025

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For RFQ #80TECH25QA016 - Net-New - Digital Radiography Equipment

Purchase

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) Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO).

The procuring agency is the NASA, and the contracting activity is 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 description. This action is a Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order (PO) for the purchase of for Net-New - Digital Radiography Equipment, which includes: 1 VMI SMART CR5100 SYSTEM & FIELD KIT; 1 DISCOVERY17C DR Detector SYSTEM & FIELD KIT; 1 DISCOVERY12C DR Detector SYSTEM & FIELD KIT; 1 VMI 2905 Film Digitizer System; 16 4.5 x 10 HR Imaging Panels; 16 4.5 x 17 HR Imaging Panels; 4 14 x 17 GP Imaging Panels; 4 7 x 17 GP Imagining Panels; 1 XRS-4; and travel and lodging for training and installation.

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 total estimated price of the proposed order is and the estimated lead-time for delivery is 9/30/2025.

This procurement is a Varex brand-name requirement to acquire a comprehensive digital radiography system, specifically the Varex VMI CR5100 System and Field Kit and associated hardware, to enable the Stennis Space Center (SSC) to fully transition away from traditional film-based radiography methods. The existing radiography systems are also Varex products, meaning this new acquisition will integrate directly with existing hardware and software, ensuring compatibility and continuity. The move to digital radiography supports SSC’s efforts to eliminate the use of chemicals, reduce physical storage requirements, and minimize environmental impact – ultimately creating a more streamlined, cost-effective, and sustainable inspection process.

Bastion Technologies is SSC’s prime contractor responsible for performing nondestructive examination of the Center’s pressure vessel and piping system as required by NASA STD-

8719.17 and NASA STD-8719.26. Bastion performs various nondestructive examination methods, one of which is radiography. The equipment will be utilized by Bastion Technologies to perform radiographic inspections of pipe welds. It will facilitate the capture and secure archiving of high-resolution weld images within SSC’s document management system. These inspections are critical for evaluating pressure piping systems during both new construction and in-service maintenance and repairs.

There are currently two competing technologies for radiography, computer radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR). Nondestructive examination technologies are known to evolve very rapidly year to year. In order to stay current with these rapid changes, local distributors for both type of technologies were asked to demonstrate their equipment using real world test samples at SSC. The demonstrations included hands on participation by Bastion technicians who will be using the equipment. Digital radiography primarily uses a rigid imaging plate that connects directly to a PC to capture a weld image. Computed radiography uses a flexible imaging plate to capture a weld image and the plate is scan into the PC. The selected Varex system was chosen for its advanced computed radiography (CR) capabilities, particularly its use of flexible, reusable imaging plates designed to optimize imaging efficiency and accuracy in pipe weld evaluations.

Varex’s solution aligns seamlessly with SSC’s current infrastructure. Personnel at SSC are already trained and proficient with Varex systems, allowing for rapid and efficient deployment with minimal learning curve.

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 FAR Subpart 13.5 is 41 U.S.C. 1901 for brand-name Varex is described below.

Choosing a product from a different vendor would introduce significant logistical and operation challenges. A non-Varex system will not integrate with SSC’s current hardware, imaging workflows, or digital storage systems resulting in data migration issues and the need for costly custom integration solutions. Introducing a new vendor’s system would require retraining personnel, delaying implementation and reducing productivity during the transition period. Additionally, it would lead to the need for additional support contracts, accessories, and infrastructure modifications, increasing both initial and recurring expenditures. Lack of uniformity across equipment would lead to inefficiencies in operations, troubleshooting, maintenance and spare parts management.

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:

This Brand Name Justification (BNJ) will be posted on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (SAM.gov) concurrently with the solicitation in accordance with FAR 5.102(a)(6) and will be posted as full and open competition for Varex brand name products and services.

The Contracting Officer has determined in accordance with FAR 5.202(a)(10) that this action is exempt from the notice required in FAR 5.201.

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 proposal analysis will be performed. The quote analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106-3.

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):

Market Research on GSA indicated that some of the requested items were available via large business Sirius Federal; however, all items could not be located. No results were found in the SEWP Market Research Tool. As a result, three (3) Request for Informantions (RFIs), 80TECH25RFI0015, 80TECH25RFI0016, & 80TECH25RFI0017 were posted to Sam.gov, GSA eBuy, and NASA SEWP, respectively. NASA ITPO received one (1) response to the Sam.gov RFI, one (1) response to the GSA RFI, and no responses to the SEWP RFI. Neither RFI response received indicated the firm’s ability to perform all aspects of the effort. The Contracting Officer reviewed the responses submitted under each RFI & determined that issuing the solicitation via open market would be in the best acquisition strategy to meeting the requirement while also achieving adequate competition from capable contractors. Varex, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a large business and is registered on Sam.gov.

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:

N/A; brand-name justification.

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.