SATPC0042332 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

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 Anton Paar USA, Inc. only for Anton Paar TRB3 Tribometer . The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 30 days ARO.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate only with vendors who can provide the subject brand name from Manufacture Name 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.

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 Langley Research Center’s Advanced Materials & Processing Branch requires the Anton Paar TRB3 pin-on-disk tribometer, for which Anton Paar is the sole manufacturer and sole authorized U.S.

supplier, as confirmed by the manufacturer’s supplier letter. The TRB3 offers unique capabilities, including dual friction-force sensors with real-time thermal-drift correction, integrated environmental monitoring, high-precision load and friction resolution, ASTM/DIN compliance, advanced tribology software with modeling tools, and a modular upgradeable design. No other tribometers provide the same combination of precision, stability, environmental monitoring, standards compliance, and software capabilities, while the TRB3 also integrates with NASA Langley’s existing Anton Paar instruments and ecosystem. Procuring the Anton Paar TRB3 will provide compatibility and continuity with existing equipment, reduce training and maintenance requirements, minimize operational risk, and support consistent data quality across ongoing tribology and abrasion studies.

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

Using another vendor could result in compatibility issues with NASA Langley’s existing Anton Paar instruments and require additional training, integration, and maintenance resources, increasing costs to the Government. An alternative tribometer may not provide the same combination of precision, thermal-drift correction, environmental monitoring, ASTM/DIN compliance, and software capabilities, potentially affecting the accuracy and consistency of ongoing tribology and abrasion studies. Additional time and labor may also be required to evaluate, configure, validate, and integrate an alternative system, which could delay planned testing and research activities. Procuring the Anton Paar TRB3 minimizes these compatibility, schedule, and operational risks while maintaining continuity and consistent data quality across the existing Anton Paar equipment ecosystem.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: