Roman Space Telescope (RST) Solar Array Sun Shield (SASS) Tuned Mass Damper (TMD)

NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the Roman Space Telescope (Roman) Damping System. NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the Damping System from Moog CSA Engineering under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Moog CSA Engineering shall provide a flight damping system and one engineering test damper unit. Moog CSA Engineering shall provide the material and labor to deliver the dampers to be used to absorb structural vibrations of the Roman SASS. These dampers will be incorporated by the Roman SASS subsystem team and will meet the damping performance requirements set by the Roman SASS subsystem. The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) is justified because Moog CSA Engineering is the only organization qualified to perform the subject requirements based on: Moog CSA Engineering is the only organization qualified to perform the subject requirements based on Moog CSA Engineering's unique knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise that will ensure successful achievement of Roman schedule and technical performance requirements. Moog CSA is world-renowned in the field of structural damping. They have the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience with structural damping design, analysis, and hardware implementation that is not found anywhere else. Most companies focus on one very narrow damping mechanism that may or may not be appropriate for the Roman SASS damping system. Moog CSA, on the other hand, has analysis, design, and hardware implementation capabilities in a variety of damping approaches, such as viscoelastics, tuned mass dampers, passive magnetic damping, particle damping, piezoelectrics, isolation, and active control, and can compare the various damping approaches to determine which is best to meet Roman SASS's damping requirements. Moog CSA has an extensive database of viscoelastic and magnetic material properties. The company has the facilities to perform both the design, analysis and testing of the vibration suppression devices. Engineers at Moog CSA understand vibration problems at the system level and can rapidly determine the best solution to a specific problem. The company's experience and expertise enable it to provide high-quality, cost-effective solutions to vibration suppression problems. No other one company can match Moog CSA's breadth and depth of experience in passive vibration suppression. Moog CSA provides vibration suppression services for applications in aerospace, manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, civil, medical, and semiconductor systems. Moog CSA has developed and flown vibration suppression devices on many launch vehicles and satellites. Specifically, Moog CSA recently developed and delivered the tuned mass dampers (TMDs) for the NASA Fermi Gamma-Ray Telescope to protect the reaction wheels from launch vibrations, and low-frequency TMDs for the NASA Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) to reduce pointing system settling time. Moog CSA is familiar with NASA requirements and verification processes, and has extensive spaceflight heritage for their damping systems. Roman will be able to leverage from Moog CSA's past damping system development efforts to deliver a high-heritage, flight damping assembly. The heritage design will result in low non-recurring engineering (NRE) cost and low development risk. Because of the strong heritage and low NRE, only Moog CSA will be able to meet the Roman schedule need while meeting all technical requirements. By delivering the damping system on schedule, the Roman SASS will be able to meet its delivery schedule for observatory integration and testing. Moog CSA's specific experience and inventory of tools are unique and makes them the only responsible source for this work. The period of performance for this contract is approximately 12 months after award, with the contract award expected in April 2022. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Julie Janus at julie.a.janus@nasa.gov not later than Monday, November 29, 2021, at 5:00 pm ET. 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 http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html