WB-57_Special_Capabilities_Redacted_JOFOC_Redacted.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER (JSC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

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

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1

WB-57 Special Capabilities and Engineering Services Support Contract

1. Introduction:

This document is a JOFOC prepared by the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) to support a sole-source contract to provide the continued support of the WB-57 Special Capabilities

Support and Engineering Services Contract. This support includes the Ascent Video Experiment

(WAVE), Airborne Imaging and Recording System (AIRS), the Day Night Airborne Motion

Imagery for Tactical Environments (DyNAMITE), and additional legacy imagery modules developed for the AIRS system. In addition, this includes research, development, integration, analysis, assessment, test, maintenance, repair, and evaluation of sensor systems from the

Southern Research Institute (SRI), which is a Component Unit of the University of Alabama at

Birmingham and is a non-profit entity. The estimated period of performance (POP) for this sole-source Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with SRI is a 5 year POP. The estimated total contract value of this contract is estimated to be $9,995,000. The proposed period of performance for this contract is January 18, 2016, through January 17, 2021.

The current WB-57 Special Capabilities and Engineering Services Support Contract, NNJ11JB28C, was awarded as a sole source contract to SRI on January 18, 2011. The current contract has a maximum Not to Exceed (NTE) amount for Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity

(IDIQ) services ordered of $36 million with a POP of January 18, 2011, through January 17, 2016, (2-year base and three 1-year option periods that have been exercised).

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 for the continued acquisition of sustaining operational support for the WB-57 Special Capabilities and

Engineering Services Support Contract with SRI. This justification provides rationale to support a sole-source contract for 5 years. The contents of this justification are in accordance with the FAR

6.302.

3. Description of the supplies or services required (including the estimated value):

This procurement provides direct support to the WB-57 Project Office for the

WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE sensors. The required services support the three WB-57 aircraft located at Ellington Field. The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operations for extended periods from sea level to altitudes well in excess of 60,000 feet.

The support includes engineering, fabrication, program management, and support services for

JOFOC – WB-57 2

research, development, integration, analysis, assessment, test, maintenance, repair, and evaluation of sensor systems in support of NASA’s aircraft programs including the WB-57 aircraft. Tasks performed under this contract also include technology development, systems acquisition, mission planning, operations, and product support for sensors, systems, platforms, and associated ground support equipment.

First developed for Space Shuttle launch imagery, the uses of the WAVE/AIRS system are many and varied, including serving as a development test-bed for new technologies such as ultralow light imagery, hyper-spectral imagery, and gimbaled microwave atmospheric sensors.

The sensor functionality is limited only by the physical limitations of size, weight, and power imposed by its integration to the WB-57 aircraft. The system's capabilities include high definition image tracking in flight, predicting the track of an object such as a launch vehicle, and

Global Positioning System tracking.

SRI developed the hardware and software used in support of these sensors, systems, and platforms. This hardware and software requires system engineering for sensor development, mission planning, and data production and processing of which SRI has been the sole provider.

Estimated Cost:

The estimated cost for the contract is $9,995,000. The $9,995,000 was determined by the WB-

57 Project Office to be sufficient to meet the projected demand. The current contract has a maximum NTE amount of $36 million. The estimated cost for this new contract has reduced due to the fact that there is no major development of the existing sensors planned.

Period of performance:

The proposed POP for this contract is January 18, 2016, through January 17, 2021.

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

The statutory authorities for proceeding with this acquisition under this JOFOC are 10 U.S.C.

§2304(c) (1) and 10 U.S.C. §2304(d) (1) (B) as contemplated by the provision of FAR 6.302-

1(a) (2) (iii), which states that full and open competition need not be provided when the services required by the Agency may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued provision of highly specialized services. The provision also states that this exception is applicable when it is likely that award to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Agency’s requirements.

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

NASA/JSC Aircraft Operations Division, WB-57 Project Office has a demonstrated need for

WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE sensors support to meet NASA mission obligations. SRI developed the WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE sensors and has maintained them since 2003. The hardware associated with these sensors and systems contains software and algorithms that were developed

JOFOC – WB-57 3

solely by, and are proprietary to SRI.

The AIRS/DyNAMITE software

In recent years, the software was modified to provide a scan mode in which the system commands the gimbal to sweep a 350mx350m area on the ground, and a trajectory tracking application to assist with capturing imagery during rocket launches.

Because the software is constantly changing due to operational requirements, SRI has developed procedures and tools used to operate the software. This unique expertise is critical to the integrity of the software, and subsequently, to mission success. For this reason, SRI is considered the only source with the specialized knowledge and data rights necessary to fulfill the Government’s requirements.

The WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE turret and gimbal contain algorithms and software that were developed at private expense, and may not be transferred or duplicated without the written consent of SRI. Airborne missions require access to and modification of this software.

Duplication of this capability, even if possible, would result in substantial cost to the Government and result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the current WB-57 Project mission requirements and obligations.

The WB-57 Project Office has Mission obligations for the WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE sensors including debris characterization imaging of Atlas 5, Delta 4, and Falcon launch vehicles in support of the USAF Space & Missile Systems Center, Launch Systems Directorate and various

NASA programs. NASA would be delayed in obtaining vital imagery that is part of the development and safety aspect of various missions. For example, the sensor is supporting the

Propulsive Descent Technologies project, which is part of the Game Changing Development

Program to track the return of the first stage of the Falcon vehicle and obtain imagery of the retro propulsive events.

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

A synopsis was posted on March 30, 2015 in an attempt to identify possible sources to fulfill the requirements of the WB-57 Special Capabilities Support and Engineering Services Contract.

The synopsis closed on April 15, 2015 and no responses were received.

7. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

JOFOC – WB-57 4

Upon approval of this justification, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to SRI. The proposal will be evaluated and negotiated to obtain a fair and reasonable cost. To accomplish this, in accordance with NASA FAR Supplement 1815.404-2, a detailed NASA cost and price evaluation will consider actuals incurred under the previous contract, learning experience, technical and productions analysis, and subcontract proposal analysis as well as any information that can be efficiently obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services and SRI’s external certified auditor. Also, in accordance with FAR 15.403-4, SRI will be required to execute a Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data when a fair and reasonable price based upon this proposal is agreed upon.

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

In accordance with FAR Part 10, a market survey was accomplished using the following market research techniques:

a.. The technical representative’s personal knowledge of the market availability in procuring services of this type.

b. Contact with other knowledgeable people in government, including experts with historical knowledge of the program and its evolving requirements.

c. Review of Government and commercial database for relevant information, including the

General Services Administration’s Advantage web site.

d.. Publication of a synopsis on March 30, 2015.

e.. Review of Government and commercial database including the Dynamic Small Business

Search Database.

f. Review of internet resources for relevant information.

None of the market research listed above revealed any evidence that other companies exist that could perform the requirements of the statement of work.

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

SRI has been developing and refining the WAVE/AIRS/DyNAMITE sensors since 2003. The technical and operational expertise and technical documentation for this system resides solely at

SRI. SRI has over 50,000 engineering development hours logged on the WAVE sensor.

10. A listing of sources, if any, which expressed in writing an interest in the acquisition:

A synopsis for this effort was issued on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service on March 30, 2015. The synopsis closed on April 15, 2015 and no responses were received. As described in

Item 7 above, upon approval of this justification, a RFP will be issued to SRI. NASA will evaluate SRI’s proposal and attempt to negotiate a fair and reasonable cost.

11. A statement of the 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:

JOFOC – WB-57 5

NASA will continue to monitor the market for companies that have developed technologies that can meet the requirements of this program. The WB-57 Project Office will continue to look for ways to reduce barriers to competition for future procurements.