SATPC0040734 Tab 10 2 BNJ_Redacted.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 80NSSC26929278Q
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This is a Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name document issued by NASA Shared Services Center, dated March 25, 2026. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is seeking to negotiate with Photronics Inc as the sole source vendor for 5-inch customized quartz mask plates. The estimated period of performance is 6/1/2027 with a three-day lead time for delivery following approval of technical data. The total estimated cost is redacted in the document.
The justification for single-source procurement centers on technical alignment requirements and schedule risk mitigation. GSFC uses these customized quartz mask plates to transfer circuit designs onto substrates for detector prototype production, with each mask requiring precise alignment to existing masks in the set and high levels of equipment calibration. Earlier masks already incorporated into GSFC prototype designs were produced by Photronics Inc, and using the same vendor for subsequent masks ensures optimal co-alignment with existing prototypes. Switching to an alternative vendor would require GSFC to restart multiple ongoing prototyping efforts, resulting in approximately six months of additional GSFC labor and associated costs that would substantially exceed the planned contract value. Market research substantiates that competition is impractical due to these unique technical and compatibility requirements.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SATPC0040734 Tab 10 1 RFQ Open Market.pdf | ||
| SATPC0040734 Tab 10 3 SOW_Redacted.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
Brand Name Justification:
☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Photronics Inc for 5” customized quartz mask plates. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 6/1/2027 for the period of performance with a three day lead time for delivery after approval of data by the technical contact.
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.
NASA GSFC uses customized quartz mask plates for transfer of their circuit design onto substrates to produce detector prototypes. To produce these prototypes, each mask must be highly aligned to the rest of the masks in the set, such that high levels of equipment calibration must be maintained to produce the masks. Earlier masks that have already been incorporated into GSFC prototype designs were produced by this vendor. To ensure the highest possible level of co-alignment for these existing prototypes, GSFC requires that the same vendor produce the subsequent masks in the set.
2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.
The impact to switch to a new vendor would require GSFC to start over with many ongoing prototyping efforts that utilize the mask plates produced by this vendor. The schedule impact to repeat all of these completed steps is roughly 6 months of GSFC labor (with its attendant cost). Such impacts greatly exceed the cost and duration of this planned contract.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
3/25/2026
Technical User Name Date
Title Office
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