Testing, Analysis, and Date Generation

***THIS IS A NON COMPETITIVE SYSNOPSIS*** ***PLEASE SEND ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO STEVEN SHAW AT steven.s.shaw@nasa.gov*** NASA has the requirement for material testing, analysis, and data generation services. These services will aid NASA projects that support the Space Launch System (SLS), International Space Station (ISS), and other programs where the advancement of human exploration is the goal. The required services will consist of testing and analysis of launch vehicle propulsion system materials conducted in statistically significant quantities at extreme temperatures, and typically non-standard conditions, along with the generation of test data that is used in human-rated propulsion systems. These required services are critical in the mitigation of risks inherent to human-rated propulsion systems and systems associated with the aforementioned programs. NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center intends to negotiate with Southern Research on a on a sole source basis for the following reasons: Southern Research (SR) is the only known source that can provide the unique combination of services need by NASA/MSFC in order to accomplish its mission. Over the course of the past five years, this unique combination of services has consisted of data understanding (failure mechanisms, component and specimen processing, specimen design, and data history), reliability, and component design accuracy to enable the most efficient and effective operating system to meet NASA's goal, the creation of a safe launch system. This unique testing and data generation requires instrumentation and training that neither NASA/MSFC nor any other testing house currently possesses. SR possesses critical materials testing expertise that has proven instrumental in the characterization of Thermal Protections system (TPS) foams, SR's cryogenic capabilities being a prime example. This stems from the long developed capability to test mechanically at temperatures as low as -420'F and at temperatures that mimic launch vehicle aerodynamic heating. This also includes an in-house induction furnace which is capable of achieving temperatures in excess of 3000 - F. Concurrently SR also has a decades of experience with aerospace/launch vehicle requirements and standard practices. These techniques, while founded on conventional standards such as ASTM test methods, are often modified by SR to better suit data collection for individual projects. Resultantly, SR is the only organization that has developed a material property database from room temperature to 5000? for graphite throats implemented in the design of Solid Rocket Booster (SRIB), Booster Separation Motor (BSM), and similar solid propellant motors. This also includes a physical database of tested samples of numerous materials stored on-site that can be referenced for assessing failure modes in future tests. This database has also been used for past NASA failure investigations during the Space Shuttle Program. Please see the attached Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) for complete details of the sole source basis. 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 in writing to the identified point of contact Steven Shaw at steven.s.shaw@nasa.gov not later than 4:00 PM CST on September 25, 2019. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government 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. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. 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.