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

Rev.:4/2023

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Marshal Space Flight Center (MSFC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For Verifire MST+ Interferometer

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 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The procuring agency is NASA, and the contracting activity is MSFC.

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 to Zygo Ametek for a Zygo Verifire MST+ Interferometer.

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 procurement restores metrology capability to the Optical Systems Design & Fabrication Branch (ES23) organization, where the previous Zygo interferometer was damaged beyond repair. This replacement interferometer will be used to measure large flat optics that are used for space-based telescope alignment and calibration. Any replacement interferometer will need to interface with the existing hardware controller, laser alignment system, beam expander (32” BEX), and other optical bench components.

The interferometer will be used too for the calibration and alignment of the Roman Space Telescope system. Additionally, the interferometer will be used for future potential Infrared (IR) probe missions such as the PRobe far-IR Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) to test and verify optical flats to calibrate and align the telescope. Grazing incidence missions would also benefit from this procurement by providing them the means to measure larger optics without having to stitch data together.

The estimated value of the interferometer is $290,000, and the associated period of performance to manufacture and deliver the equipment is 16 weeks.

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.

3204(a)1, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

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. 3204(a)1 is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as described below.

This procurement is for the replacement of a broken Zygo interferometer that is integral to a larger metrology test stand. The overall metrology test stand, according to the manufacture, would cost approximately $1,750,000.00 in FY23. A test stand of this technical capability is a specialty product with only a few being sold in the commercial market each year. Purchase of another interferometer will increase the cost and complexity of this procurement as acquisition of another interferometer will necessitate the acquisition of a compatible controller and accompanying hardware. The acquisition of the Zygo interferometer will mitigate the need to replace the entire test stand and limit the cost to re-establish a functional test stand to approximately $290,000.

Zygo Ametek is the only commercial company that currently manufactures and sells a wavelength shifting interferometer capable of homogeneity measurements. This unique specific characteristic is required for the calibration and alignment of the Roman Space Telescope. This wavelength shifting capability is necessary as it allows the interferometer to measure the surface figure of a test article without having to modulate the transmission flat.

Additionally, the ZYGO Verifire MST+ also has an important capability of being able to suppress artifacts in the test setup. This capability is crucial as the 32” transmission flats have imperfections in the glass such as bubbles, which the system will be able to remove from the data to give a true representation of the figure of the test article.

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:

In accordance with FAR Subpart 5.203 and FAR Subpart 13.105, a combined solicitation/synopsis will be published on the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) to advise potential offerors of NASA’s intent to award a sole source purchase order to Zygo Ametek and provide potential offerors with the opportunity to submit responses if they believe they can provide a product that meets the requirements of the solicitation. The results of this combined synopsis/solicitation will be summarized in a memorandum to the contract file.

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.

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:

Market research performed by the Optical Systems Design & Fabrication Branch (ES23) confirmed that Zygo Ametek is the only source available to supply the product required under this acquisition. Research was conducted by requesting information from industry professionals, coworkers, searching government databases of procurements of similar products, and searching available resources online.

Mandatory use vehicles from NFS Appendix A-102.2 (A - C) were exhausted by a search of Government database and in consultation with the vendor. It was found that no vehicles from NFS Appendix A-102.2 (A - C) could satisfy the requirement.

In-house market research found a source that can provide an interferometer that can measure the phase map of a surface; however, it does not satisfy the requirements for homogeneity measurements. While there are many vendors selling optical interferometers, market research found that only the Zygo Verifire MST+ Interferometer met the technical requirements necessary for the telescope calibration work to be performed. The Zygo Verifire MST+ Interferometer is the only interferometer currently on the market that provides the required wavelength shifting capability. Additionally, as the new interferometer will be a replacement of a non-operational ZYGO interferometer, which is part of an existing metrology test stand, it will need to interface with existing ZYGO hardware and IT controller equipment.

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 (beta.sam.gov) per FAR Subpart 5.2 (see Section 6 above) in a combined synopsis solicitation format. The results of this action (to include the disposition of responses received, if any) will be summarized in a memorandum for record located under Tab 65 of the NF1098. The justification and related information will be made public after award in accordance with FAR 6.305.

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. Continual market analysis will include keeping an eye on competing vendor’s products and associated costs, evaluating current test setups for end-of-life replacement options, and proactive investment in future technology needs.

Digitally signed by MARK

MARK STAHL STAHL

Date: 2023.08.30 15:37:29 -05'00'

Verifire MST+ Interferometer

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

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

Mark Stahl Technical Representative

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

Wade S. Amis Contracting Officer

APPROVED

Hervie B. Williford Director, Engineering and OSAC Support Office

WADE

AMIS

Digitally signed by

WADE AMIS

Date: 2023.08.30 16:13:12 -05'00'