Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) Posting - James Webb Space Telescope Phase E Operations and Sustainment
ID: 80GSFC23CA021Type: Justification
Overview

Buyer

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTERGREENBELT, MD, 20771, USA

PSC

SPACE R&D SERVICES; SPACE FLIGHT, RESEARCH AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES; BASIC RESEARCH (AR11)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/d268421ac8b040c8b5f742765195ebf8/view
Timeline
    Description

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking to justify a sole-source contract for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Phase E Operations and Sustainment, specifically with Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NG). This contract will ensure continuous operational support for the JWST mission for 4.5 years following the initial six months post-launch, leveraging NG's unique expertise as the prime contractor responsible for the telescope's design, development, integration, and testing. The decision to award this contract without full and open competition is based on NG's exclusive knowledge of the specialized hardware and software required for the JWST, which is critical for maintaining the observatory's health and safety. For further inquiries, interested parties can contact Bruce Tsai at Bruce.B.Tsai@nasa.gov or by phone at 240-684-0428.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Bruce Tsai
    (240) 684-0428
    Bruce.B.Tsai@nasa.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    JOFOC JWST - Phase E_Redacted.pdf
    This Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) outlines the rationale for awarding a sole-source contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NG) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Phase E Operations and Sustainment. The contract, valued at an estimated amount, will cover 4.5 years of operations following the initial six months post-launch, ensuring continuous support for the JWST mission. NG is deemed the only responsible source due to its unique expertise as the prime contractor for JWST's design, development, integration, and testing, possessing exclusive knowledge of its specialized hardware and software. Market research identified other potential sources like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Ball Aerospace, but none possessed the specific knowledge of JWST or experience with similar observatories at the Lagrange 2 (L2) point. A notice of intent was published on Sam.gov, with no other companies expressing interest. The contracting officer determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable. This sole-source approach is justified to prevent significant delays, cost duplication, and risks to the JWST Observatory's health and safety that would arise from transitioning to another contractor.
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