INTRODUCTION
The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA/MSFC) has a requirement to extend the period of performance (PoP) for the Space Launch System (SLS) Spacecraft / Payload Integration and Evolution (SPIE) Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) contract number NNM12AA82C with The Boeing Company (i.e., Boeing). The services to be provided include, but are not limited to: development or assessment, sustaining engineering (maintenance), field engineering changes, management, and disposal, as well as any ancillary activities associated with prior production efforts for previously procured ICPS flight hardware, including but not limited to, the operation and maintenance, verification and validation, certification, transportation to designated location, and all ground support equipment. This action will also include pre- and post-flight analysis support for the remaining two unflown ICPS units.
For this immediate action, MSFC intends to extend the PoP of existing Boeing contract NNM12AA82C, for a period of 21 months, from December 31, 2024, to September 30, 2026, to provide the time necessary to complete production, delivery, inspection, acceptance, sustaining engineering, and all necessary pre- and post-flight requirements of ICPS Flight Units #2 and #3 currently on contract, as well as to ultimately conclude ICPS actions for the SLS SPIE Element based on the current SLS manifest schedule.
As described below, additional options beyond September 30, 2026, if exercised, would extend the PoP of this contract through December 31, 2029. The Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0004 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task ordering period will also be extended simultaneously with the overall PoP as well as its associated maximum ordering value, to be proportionately increased for each ordering period to align with the overall contract extension. This will result in CLIN 0004's IDIQ ordering period being extended from an end date of December 31, 2024, to September 30, 2026, with options potentially extending the ordering period through December 31, 2029.
CONTRACT BACKGROUND THROUGH IMMEDIATE ACTION
Consistent with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-267) and subsequent Presidential direction, NASA established the SLS Program and initiated development of the SLS vehicle. The SLS Program has developed a launch system architecture to meet an evolving capability strategy consistent with the reference missions and at a pace prescribed by the available budget. The SLS block upgrade strategy incrementally increases performance of the launch vehicle one block at a time, while also accommodating the development and maturation of other Exploration Systems Development (ESD) systems. The performance thresholds of launching 70 metric tons (mT), 105mT, and 130mT will be achieved respectively through development of the Block 1 configuration followed by subsequent upgrades to Block 1B and Block 2. The ICPS is part of the evolvable configuration's initial Block 1 capability (i.e., currently limited for use through the Artemis III mission).
The intended effect of the extension is to allow for the remainder of hardware production and operations support under the existing contract for ICPS Flight Units #2 and #3 specific to their operation and maintenance, verification and validation, certification, transportation to their designated location, and all ground support equipment, as necessary through the respective Artemis II and III missions, to include each unit's sustaining engineering, field engineering changes, management, and disposal efforts through post-flight operations.
Active ICPS scope currently on contract includes four Task Orders (TOs) under CLIN 0004, as well as the final delivery, inspection, and acceptance for ICPS Flight Unit #2 (CLIN 0005) and ICPS Flight Unit #3 (CLIN 0006). Active TOs include: TO 022 - Engineering, Analysis, and Test and Task Directives (TDs); TO 023 - Program Management; TO 024 - Operations; and TO 025 - Special Studies. This justification will allow NASA to continue all active scope requirements as well as increase both the IDIQ ordering period and maximum ordering value under CLIN 0004 for remaining task order requirements throughout the remainder acquisition lifecycle. The initial PoP extension will be through September 30, 2026. Thereafter, an initial nine-month option (i.e., Option Period 1) will be included in the event an extension is necessary to conclude Artemis III launch and post-flight analysis in support of the NASA public announcement on January 9, 2024, in relation to the current SLS launch manifest. Option 1, if exercised, would further extend the contract's PoP and IDIQ ordering period from October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
In the event of future SLS manifest changes, this action includes five additional six-month option periods (i.e., Option Periods 2 through 6), potentially extending the contract and its IDIQ ordering period through December 31, 2029, for sustainment of ICPS efforts through Artemis III post-flight. This proactive approach, to add options in the event of future SLS manifest extensions necessary to conclude the Artemis III mission, is meant to reduce the procurement time necessary to enact future contract changes. With the final delivery, inspection, and full acceptance of ICPS Flight Unit #2 (CLIN 0005) and ICPS Flight Unit #3 (CLIN 0006) anticipated to occur in 2025, the remainder of ICPS efforts are anticipated to occur under CLIN 0004 IDIQ ordering.
SOLE SOURCE AUTHORITY
NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract extension to Boeing to satisfy this requirement. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.
NASA/MSFC intends to continue procuring remaining ICPS production and subsequent sustaining engineering support on a sole source basis from Boeing and its major subcontractor United Launch Alliance, LLC (i.e., ULA). This decision is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), which is the authority supporting the PoP extension with the original source (Boeing) for the continued provision of highly specialized services (i.e., the continued production and sustainment of ICPS). Award to any other source (other than Boeing) would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition and would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements.
The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), to authorize the continued provision of highly specialized services for ICPS from Boeing, is appropriate. If performance with Boeing is not able to continue under the subject contract, the Government will incur a substantial duplication of costs as well as experience unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. Boeing has proprietary data and processes, specialized skills, and exclusive knowledge unique to ICPS production.
Introducing another ICPS contractor at this time would result in recreating established key vendor arrangements and working relationships with other SPIE prime contractors. Combined with the continued Boeing engineering and management support required for the Artemis II and III missions, this would result in unacceptable technical delays and a substantial duplication of costs, which would not be recovered through competition of a new contract.
The value of utilizing a company with an existing contract with NASA, as well as using a firm that has already built all ICPS flight units, cannot be overstated. The synergy of past production, as well as the irreplaceable knowledge of having supporting launch and post-flight activities for Artemis I, allow for the most efficient use of time necessary for planning and execution of both the sustaining and engineering efforts associated with ICPS Flight Units #2 and #3, as well as meeting remaining Artemis II and III launch milestones.
The incumbent contractor team (Boeing/ULA) uniquely understands the required sustaining engineering of this highly specialized and complex flight hardware, stemming from its experience gained during the production process and prior flight operations/maintenance associated with ICPS flight articles. Boeing/ULA's ICPS knowledge and technical skills are not easily transferable. Thus, introduction of a new contractor team at this time would require additional time and expense in order to mature an alternative source to the level of technical capability required for sustained ICPS flight hardware engineering. Award to another source would cause unacceptable delays in meeting the Agency' requirements. The SLS Program manifest and schedule requirements associated with ICPS utilization would be negatively impacted in such a way that NASA would be unable to meet the Artemis II or III preparatory schedule events and launch dates.
ICPS Flight Units #2 and #3 are currently located at ULA facilities at NASA’s KSC. Boeing/ULA has already established a productive working relationship with the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) office at KSC relative to ICPS hardware delivery, processing, and work shares towards the transfer of ICPS flight units to KSC. Re-establishment of these working relationships with a new contractor in support of ICPS Flight Units #2 and #3 would likely impact both the efficiency and quality (i.e., problem reports) in hardware processing and transfer to EGS at KSC, thereby impacting key delivery and processing schedules. In turn, this would cause unacceptable SLS launch manifest schedule delays.
DISCLOSURES
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Information received from this notice shall be used by NASA/MSFC for market research. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information submitted. Responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any responses to this notice that are subject to export-controlled items should be properly marked as such.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically, via email, to the primary point of contact listed below, not later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time, on November 29, 2024. 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: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf
