2.01c SAP CI SSJ 12M Minitrack Satellite_Redacted.pdf

Source Selection Information See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Document Number: 25-116

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is the United States Naval Academy A Annapolis, Maryland; the contracting activity is NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Contracting Dept., Fleet Directorate.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This is a sole source action to establish a Firm, Fixed-Price (FFP) purchase order with Morehead Space Technologies, LLC ( MST ), a small business. This sole source action is for the provision of parts, repairs, upgrades, and replacements in an effort to restore an inoperable 12-meter (12m) Minitrack satellite parabolic dish to an operational state at S-band and at X-band -- mechanically, electrically, electronically and in an RF-sense.

This action is considered a new requirement, however, a sole source, FFP purchase order was awarded to MST on 18 July 2023 for an initial assessment on the 12-meter (12m) Minitrack satellite parabolic antenna to conclude whether or not refurbishment was a cost-effective path forward to bring the satellite antenna back into operation.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

In 1989, USNA acquired a 12m Minitrack satellite parabolic antenna from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Network Test and Training Facility in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The satellite dish was installed and refurbished by Bendix Field Services, which has since gone out of business. The 12m satellite dish includes an antenna, concrete pedestal, three racks of electronic equipment, hydraulic drive systems, and a fiber optic network connection to Rickover Hall. The 12m satellite antenna has served to provide telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) satellite operations for low-earth orbit (LEO), medium-earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary-equatorial orbit (GEO) satellite missions as a hands-on training facility for USNA midshipmen, faculty and staff.

The USNA 12m satellite ground station requires refurbishment, following hurricane damage which rendered the parabolic dish inoperable more than a decade ago. Over the past decade, several attempts to refurbish the dish internally met with low levels of success.

The 12m dish has three main systems electronic, electrical and mechanical. The electrical system is functioning and provides power to the electronics, mechanical system, network and enclosure. The mechanical system is hydraulic, and is in working order in the X-axis, with some knowledge of the reasons for its in-operability in the Y-axis; a functioning hydraulic system reduces the refurbishment costs of the antenna system. A fiber optic connection between the 12m satellite antenna and the Space purchase order N0018923P0407 was awarded to MST in July 2023 on a sole source, FFP basis to perform an initial assessment on the 12m satellite dish, during which they looked closely at the structural, electrical and electronic systems with a more cursory assessment of the hydraulic system.

N0018923P0407 presented an assessment report detailing the state of the satellite systems and the feasibility of a refurbishment, plus a cost-schedule for refurbishment, with various tiers of functionality.

The assessment concluded that refurbishment was a cost-effective path forward to bring the 12m satellite antenna back into operation at S - and X-band (via dual-band, RF-over fiber communications) for satellite operations in low-earth orbit through cislunar, with a future decision about Ka-band operations based on the results at S- and X-band. Prior to the assessment by MST, USNA sought consultation and referrals from various entities over several years, including NASA Goddard (the original purveyor of the dish), NASA Wallops (which received the smaller sister dish in 1989), National Park Service (NPS), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Blossom Point, Peraton, and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). All parties were unable to contract with the Government to complete an assessment or refurbishment of the 12m satellite dish.

The information derived from the initial assessment is crucial to the second phase restoration and is now proprietary to MST. Should another capable vendor arise, a new assessment would have to be conducted costing the Government additional time and unnecessary funding. In addition, MST has expertise in installing, maintaining and refurbishing large satellite antennae, as they own both a 21-meter (21m) space antenna system and a 12m tracking antenna donated by NASA. The MST ground station is the only one identified with similar electromechanical systems and infrastructure as USNA. MST has been operating their 21m antenna since 2006 and has a functional baseline system in place, which it will use as a model for the refurbishment of the USNA 12m antenna. The combination of proprietary information and unique expertise necessitates that only Morehead Space Technologies, LLC can perform the required refurbishment.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable, including a Description of Market Research, if applicable, and a List of Interested Sources, if any.

A Sources Sought Notice (SSN) was posted to SAM.gov on 21 February 2025 with a response date of 27 February 2025. The SSN requested interested vendors provide capability statements demonstrating capacity to perform the type of work, relevant past performance, and documentation of technical expertise in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that the company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition, as specified in the draft Statement of Work (SOW). The table below summarizes the assessment of three (3) responses received to the SSN:

Globenet USA does not demonstrate capabilities or expertise in RF technologies, control systems and software-defined radios.

responses to the RFI were vague and fail to show full comprehension of the scope of the requirement.

No details were provided with respect to their experience with large legacy antenna, satellite antenna systems, and hydraulic drive controls.

Based on this assessment, the vendor is not capable of fulfilling this procurement as required.

As detailed above, MST was the only source found to be capable of providing the specific range of services required by the USNA.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this Justification will be fair and reasonable.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, FLCN will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

In accordance with DFARS 206.303-2(b)(i) and PGI 206.304(a)(S-70)), a sources sought notice was issued on 21 February 2025. See paragraph 6 for details regarding SSN.

9. Contracting Point of Contact. The point of contact at NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Fleet Directorate is Cody Ellis, Code 211.2, who may be contacted at (757) 443-3801 or by e-mail at cody.c.ellis.civ@us.navy.mil.

Globenet USA Telecommunications

Small

Document Number: 25-116

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the Justification value is >$250K and <$75 represents approval of the document.

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY COMPETITION ADVOCATE REVIEW

To the extent that the Justification value is greater than $750K and <$15M signature below also represents approval of the document.