Description
MSFC proposes to acquire from South American Jets, LLC airborne support services for the EUSO-SPB flight that is planned for April 2017 from Wanaka, New Zealand (NZ). This required aircraft support includes services and materials to 1) modify the aircraft to accommodate two calibration light sources of the GLS that are university property and are to be provided by the EUSO team; 2) accommodate two operators from the respective university to operate the light sources who are members of the EUSO-SPB field team; 3) perform ground testing of the light sources; 4) conduct a test flight; and 5) conduct the calibration under-flight during the EUSO-SPB mission at night after launch. At the end of the campaign, the light sources will be de-integrated and returned to Wanaka NZ along with the two operators. South American Jets, LLC will be responsible for meeting all aircraft safety, flight rules, landing permits, fees and taxes associated with the flight operations. The contemplated award of this procurement to South American Jets, LLC of Doral, Florida allows MSFC to meet the SPB critical launch window, flight ready standby times, and provide for the modification of the aircraft to accept the installation of on board light sources and associated equipment. This decision is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, which implements the authority for 10 U.S.C. § 2304 (c)(1). Competition is impractical for the following reasons: Only South American Jets, LLC of Doral, FL is capable of meeting the needs of the agency, which 1) require a commitment of resources for at least 30 days; 2) impose strict timelines for flight and standby operations; and 3) require modification of the aircraft to integrate NASA's data collection and light source equipment. Other potential, domestic sources cannot, with reasonable effort and cost, modify aircraft nor commit to such a lengthy standby period required to support NASA's effort. South American Jets, LLC, while a domestic firm, has a business location within the New Zealand airfield slated for use and has a history of providing customized charters in the region. Moreover, only South American Jets, LLC can commit its aircraft and schedule to work with NASA on this critical timeline. By having a location in the region, South American Jets, LLC can provide these services at a far lesser cost than other options, such as utilizing a NASA-provided plan and its attendant, exorbitant logistical costs considering the round trip nature of a stateside flight to New Zealand. The requirements for aircraft modification and booking flights for long periods of time severely limit potential commercial sources. It is impractical to utilize non-commercial sources as the mobilization costs for a once-a-year effort are far greater than the identified solution. Only South American Jets, LLC and NASA's Airborne Science Program can meet the technical requirements for the aircraft support. Research indicates that using a domestic source for this effort would yield costs far greater than that associated with the identified solution. That is, the mobilization cost inherent to using a stateside-based aircraft makes such an approach unfeasible and not in the best interest of the Government. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) http://www.sam.gov Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than the identified response date. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purposes 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.