Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Pressure Control Valves (PCV)

NASA Stennis Space Center is procuring two custom liquid oxygen (LOX) pressure control valves under solicitation number 80SSC026R0007 through a sole-source justification under FAR 6.104-1(a)(1), citing Gosco Valves as the only source capable of meeting the unique technical requirement for a cryogenic, high-pressure (8,500 psig), dual-ball design. The valves are intended for installation at the E-1 Test Stand in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, and must be fully assembled, LOX-cleaned, tested, and delivered with comprehensive documentation including drawings, material certifications, and test reports. The procurement is estimated to cost between $250,000 and $500,000, with an expected delivery timeline of 32 weeks after contract award. The contractor’s place of performance is identified as Oakville, Ontario, but final delivery and acceptance occur at NASA’s facility in Mississippi. The valves must achieve exact form-fit-function equivalence to the proprietary Gosco design, with no substitutions permitted without requalification, as alternative valve designs would require costly system redesigns and year-long delays. Inspection and acceptance are conducted by NASA at the destination upon verification of compliance with technical specifications and documentation requirements. Packaging must ensure contamination and damage protection during transit, though specific preservation methods or labeling standards like MIL-STD are not mandated. No formal evaluation factors, pricing line items, or contract clauses are detailed in the documentation, consistent with a non-competitive procurement. The Contracting Officer’s Representative and Payment Office details are not provided, and no representations or certifications from the offeror are included. The acquisition relies entirely on the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) for specialized equipment and the lack of viable alternatives, with no options, clauses, or alternative sources considered.