WB57 AIRCRAFT, PAYLOADS AND MISSIONS

NASA Johnson Space Center has a requirement for WB57 Aircraft, Payloads and Missions. Services performed under this purchase order will include WB-57 aircrew duties, pre-mission preparation and post-mission support, WB-57 data-link and communications support, WB-57 network and information assurance, and support of the WB-57 Communications Security (COSMEC) Responsible Officer (CRO). This support requires specialized aircrew skills (e.g. qualified and experienced WB-57 Sensor Equipment Operator with Full Pressure Suite qualification), extensive knowledge of the WB-57 aircraft communications and network systems, proficiency with the WB-57 DyNAMITE optical sensor, and access to experts in the field of Beyond Line-of-Site (BLOS) communications and airborne networks that is not readily available in the general community. NASA Johnson Space Center intends to purchase the items from Curved Skies, LLC. The contractor possesses highly unique and innovative skills, aircraft knowledge, technical expertise and period experience in the areas of WB-57 aircrew duties, WB-57 communications and network systems, WB-57 COSMEC management, and DyNAMITE optical sensor operations. The work being requested under this purchase order is specific to the WB-57 Program, and requires a seamless transition of services beginning June 01, 2016. Curved Skies, LLC is the only company in existence with the capabilities required to support the entire set of services stated in this purchase order. Curved Skies, LLC has provided aircrew, communications and network system expertise, mission and COSMEC support, and DyNAMITE optical sensor operations support to the WB-57 Program since February 2014. The training necessary to duplicate this effort with a different vendor would result in a substantial duplication of cost to the Government that would not be recovered through competition. The technical and operational expertise required by this acquisition resides solely at Curved Skies, LLCC. The results of market research conducted by the requiring organization and knowledge of the capabilities of various contractors working on similar projects have yielded the determination that, due to the unique qualifications required for this effort, no other sources are capable of providing these services in a timely manner. The Government does 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 not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on May 24, 2016. 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. 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.