Notice of Intent to Sole Source STARSS III Extension Modification

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. NASA LaRC has a requirement to extend the services for an additional 18-months to support activities for Science, Technology, and Research Support Services (STARSS III) Contract No. NNL16AA05C. 

The STARSS III contract is cost-plus-award-fee, single-award with a Core Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) and an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) CLIN. STARSS III supports a diverse and specialized set of requirements that includes development, implementation, and operation of advanced instruments, missions and operations, scientific research, applied sciences, education, and outreach, as well as a full range of activities associated with the ASDC at NASA LaRC. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements (by technical area): Atmospheric Composition Science, Lidar Missions, Climate Science Missions, Climate Science Research and Analysis, Chemistry and Dynamics Science, Cross-cutting Science, Atmospheric Science Data Center, Engineering Science Technology and Missions, and Science Flight Project Management. These services primarily support the SD at NASA LaRC.

When considering the diverse and specialized requirements under this contract, the incumbent STARSS III contractor, SSAI, Inc., is the only contractor that can provide uninterrupted services without substantial duplication of effort or costs that would otherwise be incurred if NASA LaRC were to attempt to procure a new contract for these services. Competing and awarding a new contract to a new contractor or expending the resources to add the work into an existing enterprise contract without the specialized contractor expertise, for an 18-month period is not in the best interest of the Government nor the contractor community. The cost of competing, awarding, and administering a contract would create a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Additionally, market research conducted by LaRC and in coordination with HQ OP and the Engineering Services Enterprise Requirements Manager (ERM) identified no existing or planned contract that could accommodate STARSS III’s specialized services. An 18-month period of performance extension to the existing STARSS III contract allows the NASA LaRC to execute follow-on procurement(s) that enable the mission.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to the identified point of contact no later than the response date listed. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html