SATPC0037693 Tab 06 BNJ..pdf

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GEER Mass Flow Meter Flowmeter: CMFS007M323NZA2ECZZUK Transmitter: 4700I12AB2AAZZZAAZ
Solicitation number
80NSSC25896380Q-1
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This document is a Brand Name Justification (BNJ) for NASA's procurement of a specific Micro Motion Coriolis Mass Flow Meter and Transmitter for the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) gas mixing system. NASA is seeking to exclusively procure these specific components because they are a direct replacement for existing equipment and are uniquely calibrated to work with the GEER system's control algorithms and gas mixing procedures. The justification emphasizes that using alternative flow meters would require extensive and costly re-development of control systems, electrical connections, safety procedures, and could potentially halt the facility's testing capabilities.

The document indicates the procurement is under $25,000, with an estimated lead time of 10 weeks. The flow meters are critical to the GEER's ability to perform precise gas mixing and simulate Venus-like atmospheric conditions. NASA argues that any alternative vendor would necessitate complete system redesign, pose potential safety risks, and potentially interrupt the facility's test schedule. The brand name justification is approved by a Contracting Officer and follows Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines for sole-source/brand name procurement.

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SATPC0037693 Tab 04 4 SOW..pdf PDF
SATPC0037693 Tab 10 RFQ Open Market Template.pdf PDF

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Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE

OR BRAND NAME

PICK ONE

Sole Source:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Vendor Name only for Enter

Supply or Service to be procured. The total estimated cost of this effort is Enter Dollar amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Micro Motion for Coriolis Mass Flow Meter and Transmitter. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 10 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 Coriolis mass flow meter and transmitter assembly will be a one-to-one drop-in spare for the flowmeters currently used with the Glenn

Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) gas mixing system. This mixing system is part of GEER’s unique capabilities that set it apart from other extreme environments chamber across the nation. The gas mixing system relies on quick and precise mass flow measurements. Coriolis mass flow meters must be calibrated to a certain range to be effective with the gases that are used in GEER. Furthermore, the gas mixing system has control algorithms that rely on the specific data output from the assembly of these two specific part numbers. The controls for and the data from the gas mixing system are built and developed for the specific Micro Motion meter and transmitter specified above.

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

With a different flow meter and transmitter, the control algorithms and gas mixing methods and procedures would need to be completely re-developed. This would result in significant time and cost for the operations team to write new codes, build new electrical connections, and modify our entire control system to accept new metering hardware. A new development of safety procedures would also be required; modifying our current safety alarms and shutdowns would present a safety risk to the facility during operations with hazardous gas mixing. Furthermore, any lapse in functionality renders the GEER test facility unable to perform testing at Venus simulated conditions. The mass flow meters and transmitters represent the brains of the gas mixing system. Without proper and calibrated measurement and control, the vessel loses all capability to accurately blend gases to meet atmospheric test requirements inside the vessel. This could result in a complete halt to the facility’s test schedule, unable to meet customer test requirements until a new system was developed and verification tested.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Page 2 V2.0 3-15-2017

Date

Page 2 V3.0 01/18/2023

****FOR NSSC SAT USE ONLY****

The above justification in pursuant to one of the following (only select one):

☐ - Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source (RDSS): For open market purchases, pursuant to FAR 5.101(a)(1), the proposed contract action will be placed on SAM.gov under the authority of FAR 13.106 - 1(b)(1)(i).

☐ - Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source (RDSS): For open market purchases, pursuant to FAR 5.101(a)(2), the proposed contraction action was not placed on SAM.gov as oral solicitation will be used to solicit quotation under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(c).

☐ - Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source (RDSS): For open market purchases, pursuant to FAR 5.202(a)(2), the proposed contract action is exempt from publication on SAM.gov because the government would be seriously injured if the Agency complies with the time periods specified in FAR 5.203.

☐ - Brand Name Justification (BNJ): For open market purchases, pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), the acquisition of the referenced brand name item is hereby justified. (Under $25,000)

☐ - Brand Name Justification (BNJ): For open market purchases, pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), the acquisition of the referenced brand name item is hereby justified. Pursuant to FAR 5.201, any contract action over $25,000 shall be synopsized in the Government wide Point of Entry (GPE) and the brand name justification must be attached.

☐ - SEWP/IDIQ Brand Name Justification (BNJ): For schedule/IDIQ purchases, pursuant to FAR 16.505(4)(i) (ii), the acquisition of the referenced brand name item(s) is hereby justified. (under $30,000)

☐ - SEWP/IDIQ Brand Name Justification (BNJ): For schedule/IDIQ purchases, pursuant to FAR 16.505(a)(4)(i)(ii)(iii)(A), the acquisition of the referenced brand name item(s) is hereby justified. Any action over $30,000 the brand name shall be posted on the agency website used to solicit offers for orders.

☐ - Limited Source Justification (LSJ) Sole Source: For GSA orders, pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(B), only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. Action will be performed against GSA Contract ___________________.

☐ - Limited Source Justification (LSJ) Brand Name: For GSA orders, pursuant to FAR 8.405-6(b), the item is peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

☐ - Exception to Fair Opportunity (EFO): For SEWP orders or orders placed against other IDIQ contracts, under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and Pursuant to FAR 16.505(b), exemption under FAR 16.505(b)(2) used is based on the following:

☐ (A) The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays ☐ (B) Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

☐ (C) The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

I hereby accept the above stated recommendation and determine that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available.

X Contracting Officer

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