The NASA Statement of Work outlines a project focused on mitigating biofouling and biofilm growth in the wastewater processing assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). The project aims to prevent disruptions in the Water Recovery System (WRS) caused by biofilm accumulation in holding tanks, which can lead to costly hardware replacements and crew time loss. Research goals include evaluating the effects of dormancy and exploring technologies to mitigate biofilm in uncrewed systems, particularly for future Mars missions. Key tasks involve consulting on biofilm science, publishing relevant research findings, and conducting tests on higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to assess its efficacy in both pristine and biofilmed environments. Deliverables for the project encompass attendance at pertinent meetings, publication of research papers, and technology infusion design data. Overall, the project's successful completion within a one-year timeline is crucial for the maintenance of the WRS and future space exploration endeavors.

The NASA Shared Services Center recommends negotiating solely with the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) for consulting and testing services related to biofilm formation challenges for a project scheduled from January to December 2025. CBE is uniquely equipped to provide these services due to its specialized expertise and established collaboration with NASA’s biofilm group. The recommendation emphasizes that competition is impractical because no other vendor possesses the requisite experience and existing relationship, which are critical to the project's success. If an alternative vendor were utilized, it could lead to delays in the biofilm prevention schedule and a detrimental loss of knowledge transfer. This document illustrates a common government procurement justification where only a sole source is deemed capable of fulfilling a specific need, ensuring that the project's timeline and technical requirements are met effectively.

NASA's NASA/NSSC plans to issue a sole source contract to Montana State University for consulting services, publications, and hydrogen peroxide-related tasks. The agency has concluded that Montana State University is the exclusive provider for these specific tasks and will oversee the procurement from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The procurement will follow guidelines outlined in FAR Parts 12 and 13, with the relevant NAICS code being 611310. Organizations interested in this opportunity can submit their qualifications by February 6, 2025, by 7 a.m. Central Standard Time. NASA will evaluate the submissions to determine the feasibility of conducting a competitive procurement, maintaining discretion over any decisions regarding competition. Oral communications regarding this notice are not permitted. The primary contact for this procurement is Procurement Specialist Shanna Patterson. The applicable clause includes NASA Clause 1852.215-84, regarding the Ombudsman, accessible via a specified URL.