SATPC0042505 Tab 10 BNJ_Redacted.pdf

This document is a Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name issued by NASA Shared Services Center for a brand-name justification procurement.

NASA recommends negotiating exclusively with vendors capable of providing Hiperco 50A material in a billet size of 7" x 14" x 7" for procurement by the Electric Propulsion Systems Branch at NASA Glenn. The procurement supports manufacturing of magnetic circuit elements for the Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE) Hall thruster. The total estimated cost is redacted, with an estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery of 9/30/2026. NASA GRC has determined that Hiperco 50A is the only material meeting required specifications because it is the sole material with the necessary magnetic characteristics (BH curve) that meets NASA's performance and life requirements for the thruster. Competition is deemed impractical due to Hiperco 50A's unique properties, particularly its cold forge processing capability and superior magnetic circuit design performance. The procurement is justified as necessary to achieve thruster performance and life requirements while saving government cost and schedule. If alternative materials or vendors are used, the estimated additional cost for manufacturing a replacement mid-power thruster magnetic circuit is $100K with an anticipated 4-month schedule delay.