JOFOC_MADYMO_FBO.docx

National Transportation Safety Board Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition “MADYMO Software Licenses and Maintenance”

1. Program Office / Procurement Request Office of Research and Engineering (RE), Vehicle Performance Division (RE-60) Purchase Request (PR) PUR-16-0218

Office of Highway Safety (HS), Investigations Division (HS-20) Purchase Request (PR) PUR-16-0292

2. Period of Performance Total period of performance is approximately from September 24, 2016 through September 23, 2021, including options (one 12-month base year and four 12-month option years). (See description in section 5)

3. Nature of Action The purpose of this Justification for other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) is to provide documentation that explains why this specific requirement is intended to be awarded without competition to TASS International, Inc. (TASS) for two (2) MADYMO software licenses and maintenance.

4. Description of Requirement The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a requirement to purchase two (2) MADYMO software licenses and maintenance which includes MADYMO Solver NL + 21 tokens (20 General Purpose, 1 Coupling) from TASS for one 12-month base year and four 12-month option years. MADYMO is an engineering software tool that enables users to model and evaluate occupant safety systems in an efficient and cost effective manner. MADYMO is a worldwide standard and is commonly used by design companies, research laboratories, and technical universities. MADYMO provides a large degree of flexibility, not found with other occupant kinematics programs, that is essential when modeling complex occupant motion and interactions in detailed interior environments.

This software will be used extensively to simulate many advanced features installed on the current generation of surface and air vehicles, likely on buses, trains and general aviation aircraft.

5. Authority Cited The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) citation permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition is FAR 6.302-1 “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

6. Unique Qualifications / Circumstances of Requirement Based on TASS’s unique technical qualifications as the only developer and license provider of the MADYMO software and maintenance, competition is not being solicited. This software is unique in that it is the only known software specifically intended for advanced occupant simulation in highway and aviation modes. Without this award, the NTSB would not be able to simulate detailed occupant motion or injury causation.

The MADYMO software identified by the justification herein has been determined to be the only item that meets the NTSB’s requirements as a key component used to model and evaluate occupant safety systems in an efficient and cost effective manner. This software is also compatible with previous models and modeling efforts performed by the NTSB.

7. Efforts to Determine Only One Source In 1998, RE staff initiated occupant kinematic simulations with a simple occupant simulation model that was part of an existing vehicle software simulation package (a simple version of Articulated Total Body [ATB]). That initial attempt was inadequate so the Office upgraded to an ATB model. As the complexity of the simulation needs increased and the ATB model was not able to satisfy agency requirements, the NTSB started to explore tools used by other researchers to look at the complex interactions between the human and the vehicle.

Many researchers used MADYMO for the multi-body analysis and some used finite element analysis, which is a more expensive and time-consuming process. Initially, the NTSB arranged to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to simulate a two (2) vehicle collisions that were of mutual interest. But that arrangement was limited as the NTSB could only simulate crashes that also interested NHTSA and the tool was only available in the highway mode. NTSB staff determined that MADYMO software worked very well for agency needs. The tool provides a common platform with other government agencies and with industry researchers. This tool is the industry standard for multi-body occupant kinematic simulation.

The NTSB has not identified any vendors with the unique capabilities of the proposed vendor however the NTSB is always searching for new tools and technology to support RE and HS duties and will continue to explore the market in search of tools that compete with this software.

8. Contracting Officer’s Determination I have reviewed the attached justification, and determined that based on the information provided, that it is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. The award and anticipated cost of any subsequent sole source award would be fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Government.

9. Market Research Over the past few years, the NTSB has continuously sought software applications that would enhance their capabilities. This software will enhance the capabilities of RE-60 and HS-20.

In accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(1), the NTSB intends to issue a Sources Sought Notice on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website (www.fbo.gov) for seven (7) calendar days. The purpose of the Special Notice is to:

1. Provide notice to the marketplace of NTSB’s intent to award a sole source contract to TASS under the authority of FAR 6.302, and

2. Conduct market research and invite any other qualified company to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to perform the anticipated work.

The Notice shall state that all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by NTSB.

10. Other Pertinent Information In accordance with FAR 6.305, Availability of the Justification, the justification will be made publicly available at the Government Point of Entry (GPE) www.fedbizopps.gov, on the website of the agency, and will be posted for a minimum of 30 days.

11. List of Interested Sources No other companies have expressed an interest in this requirement and the NTSB is not aware of any other company that could provide this unique product.

12. Efforts to Remove Barriers to Competition The NTSB will continue to monitor the market for responsible sources, and provide requirements for competition.

13. Concurrence and Approvals I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance, which are included in the JOFOC, are accurate and complete, to the best of my knowledge and belief.