SATPC0031523 Tab 10 BNJ_Redacted.pdf

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FOR BRAND NAME

Brand Name Justification:

I recommend that NASA, SSC negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Precision Fluid Controls for Dome Loader Regulators, cleaning, and certifications. The total estimated cost of this effort and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 30-36 weeks.

This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):

1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.

The 5 dome loaded regulators specified in the procurement are required for operations at the A1 test stand with a CV of no less than 26 with 3” GR25 hub ends. The requirement includes specific end to end lengths, AS5202 threaded dome connection, 6000 PSIG pressure rating, stainless steel body and trim, and material certifications. SSC has requirements for specific materials used in the hardware to ensure quality, cleanliness, reliability, and prevent contamination to downstream equipment, hardware, and end users (drying rocket engines after test).

PFC has demonstrated their capabilities and reliability by previously providing SSC with state-of-the-art valves, regulators, miscellaneous hardware, and in-house cleaning/testing services. Market research has shown that there are limited manufactures/vendors capable of meeting SSC capability and cleanliness requirements with a history of reliability for SSC’s specific operating conditions. Although other hardware suppliers may be able to meet the requirements for the type of service regulators, they have not demonstrated capability, reliability of the hardware, have in house cleaning and testing capability per RPTSTD-8070-0001, or demonstrated their level of customer service.

Previous procurements for hardware whereas multiple parties are involved in fabrication, testing, cleaning, and delivering material certifications has shown to cause multiple issues and delivery delays. Previous procurements of with other manufactures whereas multiple vendors are involved resulted in cancellations of procurement contracts or reliability issues with multiple pieces of hardware before and shortly after the 1 year warranty period.

2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.

Precision Fluid Controls (PFC) has demonstrated their quality, capability, and reliability of their vales and pressure regulators through multiple previous NASA procurements and the aerospace industry for over a decade. Their regulators and valves outperformed other manufactures as well as provided exceptional customer service. Source inspections have previously been performed with PFC. If another brand is used, the government will need additional funding for source inspections for manufacturing, cleaning, and testing. Due to the limitation of manufactures that have the capability to build, clean, and test the hardware, the government would be required to perform source inspections in multiple locations. Previous hardware procurement whereas

Page 2 V2.0 3-15-2017 manufactures have met SSC requirements on paper failed to deliver the hardware that met SSCs requirements, or expectations for reliability and customer service. An example includes cancellation of a procurement contract due to not meeting cleanliness and pressure testing requirements, which resulted in the manufacture and precision cleaning vendor to point fingers for blame and excessive costs to the cleaning vendor/manufacture. A second instance includes a procurement of over 10 valves whereas after multiple valves had to be reworked after installed due to poor workmanship before and shortly after the 1 year warranty period. This resulted in excessive costs for gasses (Helium and Nitrogen) used in outages, temporary spool builds, repairs, removing and reinstalling the valves. Overall, it is in the best interest of the government to utilize PFC hardware on the A1 rocket test stand.

Justin Lucas Digitally signed by Justin Lucas