Space Launch System Launch Vehicle Stage Adaptor

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a requirement to extend the Launch Vehicle Stage Adaptor (LVSA) activities for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Spacecraft and Payload Integration Element (SPIE) and intends to modify the SLS LVSA contract with Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE). The period of performance extension contemplated is being synopsized as a change to delivery order NNM14AA89D to complete production of the second and third LVSA unit currently on contract. This action will also include pre and post flight analysis support for flight unit 1 and sustaining engineering support through flight unit 3. This effort was initially competed under the Engineering Solution and Prototyping (ESP) Contract NNM13AA35C and awarded to Teledyne Brown Engineering as delivery order NNM14AA89D and includes production, sustaining engineering, operation and maintenance, verification and validation, certification, transportation to designated location, and all ground support equipment for LVSA units supporting Flights 1 through 3. TBE has successfully completed the design, development, test and evaluation (DDTE) process, including the fabrication of a Structural Test Article (STA) to support the SPIE Integrated Structural Test. TBE is now in the final steps of production for the first LVSA flight unit with planned delivery to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Fall 2018. Work on the second flight unit has begun with fabrication of manufacturing equipment, ground support equipment, and long lead materials purchases. The initial schedule planning for the production of the second flight unit is under development. The ESP contract NNM13AA35C period of performance expired on March 31, 2018. The delivery order NNM14AA89D period of performance is through December 31, 2018. This action would extend the delivery order period of performance through December 31, 2023 to enable completion of the second and third LVSA flight units. The initial SLS program manifest called for the first three flights to be the Block 1 configuration. The LVSA is part of the evolvable SLS configuration's initial Block 1 capability. NASA competitively awarded TBE the LVSA contract with full intention of producing three flight units. However, performance issues with other SLS Elements pushed the overall EM-1 and EM-2 schedules out further than originally planned, beyond the original contract period of performance. Additionally, the Exploration System Development (ESD) Office re-directed SLS to accelerate development of Block 1B to support Exploration Mission (EM) -2 and subsequent flights, changing from the previous plans of multiple Block 1 flights. LVSA is not required for the SLS Block 1B configuration under this revised plan. Part of the SPIE response to that direction was to direct TBE to slow work on the second flight unit in the base contract, and as a result, NASA did not yet exercise the option for the third flight, all causing delays to the completion of the second flight unit. On May 18, 2018, The Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for ESD directed the first crewed SLS/Orion mission, EM-2, will use the SLS Block 1 configuration and current Block 1 Mobile Launcher (ML-1) with minor modifications to support crewed flight and also to protect for a third Block 1 cargo flight to support the Europa Clipper mission. The addition of these two Block 1 flights require two additional LVSA (flight unit 2 and 3), originally contracted. The effect of this change to SPIE is a need to quickly build additional Block 1 LVSA flight hardware to support the early flight opportunities and desired launch cadence frequency. The contract provides for three flight units, with the first unit nearly complete and work has begun on the second unit. The vendor has established processes and incorporated Lessons Learned from production of the first unit to improve efficiency and reduce cost. The period of performance limitations of the existing contract prevent NASA from maintaining production continuity with the second flight unit for EM-2, already begun under the existing contract. NASA/MSFC intends to procure on a sole source basis from Teledyne Brown Engineering, for the SLS SPIE LVSA units and sustaining engineering support. This decision is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (a) (2) (ii & iii}, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, which implements the authority for 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1). TBE has developed critical knowledge, capabilities, and essential infrastructure during performance of the current contract, which uniquely qualifies them to support the production and operations of LVSA future requirements. These qualifications position TBE to support an effective, timely, and safe transition without substantial duplication of cost and schedule delays that would result from awarding this acquisition to a new contractor. Maintaining production continuity fulfils the intent of the original content and lowers the technical, schedule, and cost risk to the Government. The vendor has already begun planning, long-lead material purchases, and fabricating manufacturing equipment for the second flight unit under the existing contract. However, the expiring period of performance precludes completion of the second flight unit that is already underway. Given the schedule, cost, and technical rationale for retaining the mature LVSA design and production capability as the SLS Program LVSA procurement approach, and given the unique experience, knowledge, and capabilities specifically pertaining to the LVSA that is possessed by TBE in their performance under the existing contract, they are the only available source for follow-on LVSA production that does not involve substantial and unrecoverable duplication of cost, unacceptable schedule delays, and substantial increases in technical risk. This period of performance extension does not replace or preclude future competition of additional LVSA units. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. All responsible sources may submit a response, which will be considered by the agency. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on August 15, 2018. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Such capabilities and qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. All information received from this notice shall be used for planning purposes only. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information submitted. As stipulated in FAR 15.201 (e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This notice is subject to FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes. Any responses to this notice that are subject to export controlled items should be properly marked as such. 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.