Keysight Signal Analyzer_JOFOC_Redacted.pdf

Rev.:4/2026

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA IT PROCUREMNT OFFICE (ITPO)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

FOR KSC KEYSIGHT REFURBISHED N9030B SIGNAL ANALYZERS

1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.104-1(a)(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 NASA, and the contracting activity is ITPO.

2. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 brand name purchase order for Keysight Refurbished Signal

Analyzers for Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

3. FAR 6.104-1(a)(3) – A description of the supplies or services required, to meet the

Agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

This acquisition consists of nine (9) Refurbished Keysight Technologies N9030B Radio

Frequency (RF) receivers and related hardware for use by KSC’s Electromagnetic

Laboratory (EML). Keysight Technologies Brand receivers and related hardware is the only brand name items capable of providing the required hardware compatible with the EML

Environment. Delivery will support ongoing operational requirements for current and upcoming NASA supported projects and efforts within the EML. The total estimated price is

. The estimated lead time is 17 weeks after receipt of order (ARO).

4. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 12.1 is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

5. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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)(5) is because competition must be restricted to only those who can provide Keysight brand name items as described below.

Rev.: 4/2026

Keysight Technologies, Inc. is the only brand capable of providing the required N9030B receivers that are fully compatible with the existing operational environment within the EML. The existing infrastructure, including NASA and contractor hardware currently deployed, has been configured and optimized specifically around Keysight equipment.

Procuring the same manufacturer’s equipment is necessary to ensure continued operational compatibility, minimize technical risk, and maintain uninterrupted mission support capabilities.

NASA KSC EML has internally developed proprietary software specifically for operation with Keysight Technologies Brand RF receivers and related hardware. This software was developed specifically for Keysight Brand Hardware due to the Keysight Brand items being the only hardware capable of supporting the laboratory’s technical analysis requirements. NASA conducted market research by performing internal compatibility testing.

This internal compatibility testing conducted by KSC personnel has demonstrated that equipment from other manufacturers does not consistently communicate or function properly with the proprietary NASA software. Because the interoperability limitations are directly related to NASA-developed software and internal testing results, no external vendor can provide a formal interoperability statement regarding alternate manufacturers. No outside vendors are provided with access to the proprietary software environment due to the sensitive and restricted nature of the system.

In addition to software compatibility requirements, maintaining the existing Keysight platform provides substantial operational and cost benefits to the Government. Laboratory personnel are already fully trained and experienced in the operation, calibration, maintenance, and sustainment of Keysight instruments currently deployed within the EML.

Introducing a different manufacturer’s equipment would require changes to established maintenance and calibration processes. This would result in increased costs, schedule delays, reduced operational efficiency, and unnecessary technical risk. Continued use of Keysight equipment allows all calibration and sustainment activities to remain in-house, eliminating the need for external contractor support while reducing downtime and turnaround times for mission-critical systems.

Keysight Technologies also provides existing service agreements, warranty coverage, rebate programs, and trade-in credits that significantly reduce overall Government costs associated with the sustainment of the equipment. Utilizing alternate manufacturers could jeopardize current warranties, maintenance agreements, and support arrangements already in place. The

Government cannot assume the additional financial burden or operational risk associated with replacing or reconfiguring existing systems or losing current support agreements. For these reasons, Keysight Technologies is the only brand name capable of meeting the

Government’s requirements without unacceptable duplication of cost, schedule impacts, or operational risk to ongoing and future NASA missions.

6. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 5.1 and, if not, which exception under 5.101 applies:

A solicitation will be issued to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. In accordance with FAR 12.2 this justification supporting the requirement for brand name specifications will be included in the solicitation.

7. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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 requested KSC Keysight Signal N9030B Signal Analyzers will be competed as a brand name solicitation under the GPE website. Vendors will provide the best price available in the market and the competition will yield a price that is fair and reasonable to ITPO.

Procurement anticipates multiple vendors to provide a competitive price on the Keysight brand.

8. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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):

NASA conducted market research by performing internal compatibility testing. This internal compatibility testing conducted by KSC personnel has demonstrated that equipment from other manufacturers such as Teledyne Technologies, Teradyne, Fortive, RFHIC, Rohde &

Schwarz and Anritsu do not consistently communicate or function properly with the proprietary NASA software. Because the interoperability limitations are directly related to

NASA-developed software and internal testing results, no external vendor can provide a formal interoperability statement regarding alternate manufacturers. No outside vendors are provided with access to the proprietary software environment due to the sensitive and restricted nature of the system. As a result, although comparable commercial brands exist, none are compatible for NASA’s mission‑critical use, and only the Keysight unit meets

NASA’s specific interoperability requirements.

Market research was also conducted to determine whether the required Keysight

Technologies N9030B refurbished RF receiver could be procured through existing

Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including NASA Solutions for

Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) and General Services Administration (GSA). Market research showed that neither mandatory nor preferred GWACs can fulfill the Government’s brand-name requirement and it was in the best interest of the Government to issue the solicitation to the GPE website.

9. FAR 6.104-1(a)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

None

10. FAR 6.104-1(a)(10) – A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition:

A solicitation will be issued to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (Sam.gov) in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. (See Section 6 above).

11. FAR 6.104-1(a)(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.