Intent to Sole Source Integrated Field Test Communications Architecture

NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) has a requirement for integrated field test communication architecture in support of the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP).  NASA intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from Vinco Inc., 18995 Forest BLVD N. PO 907, Forest Lake, MN 55025 under the authority of 41 United States Code (U.S.C.) §1901 as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.  Vinco Inc. has been determined to be the sole source provider of integrated field test communication architecture.    Vinco Inc. provides a solution including network management middleware that is agnostic to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hardware and waveform media (frequency bands and network protocols). This capability will enable NASA field tests to integrate and evaluate different hardware, frequency bands, and network protocols from one test to the next.  The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services and Subpart 13.5. 

Anticipated award is July 2023 with a period of performance that consists of a base period and two option years.  The terms of the anticipated service contract shall have a start date of July 1, 2023 with an end date of November 31, 2026, based on an initial commitment ending on November 31, 2024 with NASA’s option to continue in each subsequent year. Initial integration tests will be performed in August through September of 2023. The first field site test requiring in-person support and implementation of this new comm architecture is in late September through early October of 2023.

This is a notice of intent to award a sole source contract and is not a request for competitive quotes.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Andrew Candee, andrew.l.candee@nasa.gov and Jennifer Escalante, jennifer.e.escalante@nasa.gov no later than 4:30PM central standard time on Thurrsday, June 8, 2023.  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at:

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf