SATPC0040393 Tab 12 BNJ_CO_Redacted.pdf

This is a NASA Shared Services Center justification document for a single-source or brand-name procurement recommendation. NASA seeks to procure an 8,400 liter/minute multi-stage Roots dry vacuum pump, specifically the Ebara model ESA-70W, from a sole source. The total estimated cost is redacted, though the document references estimated freight charges and other costs, with a lead-time for delivery of 3-4 months after receipt of order (ARO).

The justification emphasizes that competition is impractical due to NASA's Testing Division standardization initiative across its vacuum facilities, which includes rough vacuum pumps, turbo-molecular pumps, cryogenic pumps, high vacuum gauges, and helium leak detectors. This standardization reduces parts inventory, minimizes downtime, and decreases operator error and training costs by limiting technician training to a single pump model. The document notes that the Ebara ESA-70W has been selected for mid-sized vacuum chambers due to superior performance and reliability, and is compatible with the existing Ebara ESA-70W pump used to maintain vacuum in a 60,000-gallon liquid nitrogen Dewar. The document further argues that selecting an alternative vendor would increase spare parts inventory costs, eliminate pump interchangeability, increase downtime, and result in unnecessary testing and mission risks, making standardization economically advantageous to the government.