SATPC0043111 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

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Thorlabs Fiber SCALPSS 2
Solicitation number
80NSSC27948034Q
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This is a NASA Shared Services Center Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source form documenting a sole source justification for the procurement of custom fiber assemblies from Thorlabs for the SCALPSS 2.0 project. The estimated period of performance is October 30, 2026, through March 30, 2027. The total estimated cost is redacted in the document.

The procurement covers custom fiber assemblies built to NASA-specified configurations, including part number FFH05026-CUSTOM with a hermetically sealed stainless-steel microtube jacket (FT052SSB-SABR), vacuum-compatible epoxies equivalent to MFV1L1, custom hermetic SMA connectors on both ends, and tight tolerances on fiber type and length specifications (±20 cm). Market research indicates no other vendors can meet the specialized technical requirements within the 22-week lead time or provide the necessary vacuum compatibility, radiation tolerance, mission reliability, and precision optical performance. Using an alternative vendor would introduce substantial schedule risk of 2–3 months or longer delays, preventing SCALPSS from completing required pre-flight build, environmental testing, and integration activities. This delay would jeopardize the SCALPSS imaging system's critical mission to capture Permanent Shadow Index data during lunar descent in support of Artemis lunar landing objectives and could result in loss of essential engineering data required for Artemis lander certification and NASA's hazard reduction efforts.

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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 Thorlabs only for procurement of custom fiber assemblies required to support the SCALPSS 2.0 project.

. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance is 10/30/2026 -03/30/2027.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with 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.

The required items are custom fiber assemblies built to NASA-specified configurations.

• Custom Part Number: FFH05026-CUSTOM with specialized construction per NASA requirements Hermetically sealed stainless-steel microtube jacket (FT052SSB-SABR), which is not a standard off-the-shelf configuration and requires specialized manufacturing capability

• Vacuum-compatible epoxies equivalent to MFV1L1, necessary for use in vacuum or high-purity environments and not commonly available in general commercial fiber assemblies.

• Custom hermetic SMA connectors on both ends, built to special order and not typical catalog components

• Tight tolerances on fiber type (FFH05026) and length specifications (±20 cm) that align with NASA test or system-integration requirements.

Market research indicates that other vendors either:

• May not have the parts readily available

• Are not as capable of meeting the 22 week lead time, or

• Would require extended sourcing periods that exceed SCALPSS’s allowable integration schedule.

• Requires vacuum compatibility, radiation tolerance, mission reliability, and precision optical performance, which significantly narrow the market.

Based on the unique technical requirements, mission-specific constraints, proprietary manufacturing processes, and the results of market research, no other commercially available source or brand has been identified that can meet the functional, environmental, and performance specifications. Therefore, soliciting only the suggested source/brand is justified

Page 2 V2.0 3-15-2017

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

Using any vendor other than Thorlabs would introduce substantial schedule risk, including delays of 2–3 months or longer based on competitor lead times. Such delays would prevent SCALPSS from completing required pre-flight build, environmental testing, and integration activities.

The SCALPSS imaging system is required to capture PSI data during lunar descent. This data directly supports:

• Artemis lunar landing risk reduction,

• Future human landing system performance assessments,

• NASA’s PSI modeling and hazard reduction efforts.

Failure to fly SCALPSS on the planned CLPS delivery means:

• Loss of a critical lunar PSI dataset,

• Potential redesign of future imaging experiments,

• Delayed availability of engineering data required for Artemis lander certification.

A delayed or cancelled SCALPSS flight imposes broad program impacts, including risk to Artemis schedule objectives.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Technical User Name Date

Title

Office

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