JOFOC_SPECIALIZED RT DATA ANALYSIS.pdf

JOFOC Rev 05/2016

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

PURSUANT TO TITLE 10 U.S.C. 2304 (C) (1)

1. This document is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) prepared by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6.3, Other Than Full and Open Competition, and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) Part 1806.3, Other Than Full and Open Competition.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved:

The purpose of this action is to obtain services unique to Optical Sciences Corporation (OSC) in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). These services include technical support for the maintenance, development, and operation of the Real-time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition system (RT-Display), and the Fluids Modeling Framework. Furthermore, continued support from OSC is also required for the performance of detailed and specialized analyses and analysis system development for the diagnostic assessment of dynamic data from ground-test and flight operations of advanced launch vehicle propulsion systems. This work includes direct support of the Space Launch System (SLS), including the RS-25 and RL10 engines as well as support to many Commercial Crew service providers. The proposed contract type is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), firm-fixed price contract to include a one (1) year base period with four (4), one (1) year option periods. The Option to Extend Services clause (FAR 52.217-8) will be included in the contract. Task orders will be issued to the contractor to meet the Government’s requirements. This effort is a follow-on contract to NNM14AA09C which was also awarded on a sole source basis in accordance with FAR 6.302-1.

3. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s need, including estimated value:

OSC assisted MSFC in the development and integration of Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems (controlled by RT-Display) which are currently supporting multiple scaled and hot-fire test programs. These currently include the Space Launch System Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) 24 inch motor test and environment definition and development test programs for RL10 and RS-25 engines. The purpose of these systems is to provide real-time monitoring during test setup, test execution, and area all clear such that troubleshooting and real-time decisions can be made up to, and including, shutdown to avoid potentially catastrophic damage to hardware and facilities. This is a unique capability, and access to OSC’s knowledge and experience is necessary for NASA/MSFC to maintain, develop, and augment its Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems. Customization of the Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems are often necessary to meet test objectives. This continued development requires intimate knowledge of both the software and hardware technology to ensure project schedules are not affected and there is a seamless transition across systems, tests, and facilities being supported. NASA/MSFC is currently using its RT-Display controlled system for scaled RL10 testing to support the SLS program. Continued technical support by OSC will ensure the successful acquisition and provision of RL10 environments.

OSC is developing the next generation of Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Control software (RT-Display 2 or RTD2) to address aging hardware and supplier obsolescence to ensure seamless interface and control for the next generation of Real- Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems. RTD2 software is currently in lab testing with OSC to verify system readiness on the next generation of Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems. The total estimated cost of this effort is $5M.

4. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

This recommendation for approval is made pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, which implements the authority for 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), for the acquisition of services when available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. In accordance with FAR 6.302- 1(a)(2)(iii)(B), services may be deemed to be available only from the original source for the continued provision of highly specialized services when it is likely that award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements.

FAR 6.302-1(b)(1)(ii) provides that use of this authority may be appropriate in a situation when unique services are available from only one or a limited number of sources.

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires the authority cited:

OSC developed the RT-Display software as a GUI and Control Software for the Real- Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems. The RT-Display is used for behind the scenes configuring and controlling the data systems as well the front end graphical user interface for convenient intuitive interface and control of the high speed data acquisition hardware. OSC is responsible for the maintenance, augmentation, and customization of the Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition hardware as well as the software updates, system patches, and driver updates for RT-Display user interface and control software. The RT-Display software provides for simultaneous real-time acquisition to disk and visualization of high-frequency data at rates greater than 200,000 Samples per Second (SPS) and channel counts up to 256 channels for use in the diagnostic dynamic assessment of engine and component level testing. OSC is also developing the next generation of Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Control software (RT-Display 2 or RTD2) to address aging hardware and supplier obsolescence to ensure seamless interface and control for the next generation of Real-Time Data Monitoring and Data Acquisition systems. Access to OSC’s knowledge and experience of the hardware configuration and software implementation of this specialized system is critical for the successful support of engine ground-test operations of the SLS program. MSFC is required to maintain this state-of-the-art data acquisition system in support of static hot-fire and development test programs. Similar support is anticipated for SLS engine, booster, and CCP programs.

OSC personnel have provided support to MSFC in the areas of high-speed data acquisition system hardware and software development and integration of these systems into tests and test areas for over 30 years. OSC has a complete and unparalleled understanding of the tools, techniques, data formats, and institutional policies used by MSFC to efficiently and effectively provide timely and accurate analysis and reports. OSC’s unique specialized knowledge of these techniques and tools such as the Fluid Modeling Framework will ensure that support for both data assessment and rapid modifications to software will meet critical test and flight schedules for SLS and Commercial Crew programs.

6. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable:

Pursuant to FAR 5.201, the JOFOC for this proposed contract action will be synopsized at the GPE website (fbo.gov). Any responses received in writing as a result of public publishing on fbo.gov will be appropriately dispositioned and added to this document by addendum.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

In accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(ii), the pricing methods used to ensure a fair and reasonable price will include a comparison of proposed prices to historical prices paid.

8. Description of the market survey conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted:

First, the requiring organization conducted market research to assess the capabilities of the four firms its preliminary research demonstrated may be able to meet the Government’s requirements. That market research confirmed that neither of the four firms could meet the critical requirement for the RT-Display software which provides for simultaneous real-time acquisition to disk and visualization of high-frequency data at rate greater than 200,000 SPS and channel counts up to 256 channel for use in the diagnostic dynamic assessment of engine and component level testing.

Additionally, a Request for Information (RFI) was posted at the GPE website (fbo.gov) in February 2019 seeking sources that could meet the requirements of this effort. Six firms (including the incumbent contractor) responded to the RFI. Only the incumbent contractor was able to demonstrate it could meet the Government’s requirements. No other companies (including companies with proposed teaming arrangements) were able to demonstrate that their firms could perform all aspects of the Performance Work Statement. Specifically, no firm demonstrated it could meet the requirements for data sample rates of 200,000 SPS with simultaneous real time visualization on up to 256 channels which is the most critical part of the testing requirements for this effort. One firm referenced “fast acquisition” to a Secure Digital (SD) card, but the maximum write rates to those are much slower than what is required to meet the Government’s requirements. Accordingly, the cost and/or schedule impacts associated with training another contractor that does not currently have the qualified technical skills or the knowledge base required to support the Government’s requirements would result in substantial and costly programmatic delays.

9. Other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

A change in contractor support would cause extensive delays in support of the testing and data analyses for the SLS and Commercial Crew programs as well as deployment of the RTD2 to address obsolescence of hardware concerns. This support includes the maintenance, development, and operation of the ground-based data acquisition and processing systems utilized in support of test operations and post-test data analyses. NASA/MSFC currently has a requirement to provide this support for on-going and future testing of the Space Launch System Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) 24 inch motor test and environment definition and development test programs for RL10 and RS-25 engines. A lack of sustained, experienced support in the use of these systems would detrimentally impact the schedule of current hardware testing and RTD2 verification testing to address known hardware obsolescence. It is estimated that it would take approximately 3 years at a cost of approximately $650,000 for any other company to develop the capabilities necessary to meet the requirements for the RT-Display GUI and hardware controller.

Additionally, it is estimated that it would take approximately 3 years at a cost of approximately $300,000 for any other company to meet the Government’s requirements for its Fluid Modeling Framework.

10. Sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition:

The following firms expressed an interest in writing regarding this requirement:

1) Bastion Technologies

2) Orange Wire Systems

3) Gleason Research Associates, Inc.

4) SRS Systems, Inc.

5) Bay Systems Consulting, Inc.

6) Optical Sciences Corporation

Rev 05/2016

11. The actions, if any, the Agency may take to remove or overcome barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

There are no known actions which the Agency may take to overcome the barriers to competition. For the above reasons, full and open competition is not feasible. Therefore, a sole source purchase of Specialized Data Analysis and Enhanced Diagnostic System Development for Advanced Propulsion Systems from OSC is the only practical approach.

12. I hereby certify the facts in this justification and any supporting data used for this justification are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.

I hereby certify that the above justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. In addition, I hereby determine that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.