NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

48 -- MOTORIZED VACUUM VALVES QUALIFIED FOR USE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION SOL 8-1-0-E2-C7245 DUE 071300 POC Vicki E. Wampler, Contract Specialist, Phone (256) 544-6588, Fax (256) 544-8434, Email vicki.wampler@msfc.nasa.gov -- Michael L. Sweigart, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-0281, Fax (256) 544-8434, Email mike.sweigart@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=62#8-1-0-E2- C7245. E-MAIL: Vicki E. Wampler, vicki.wampler@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for Motorized Vacuum Valves qualified for use on the International Space Station. This procurement is for the purchase of six (6) motorized vacuum valves; two (2) units for ground use; two (2) units fully qualified per International Space Station United States Laboratory requirements for use on the flight unit of the First Microgravity Science Research Rack; and two (2) identical flight qualified spares. NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from Marotta Scientific Controls, Suite 195, 6767 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, AL 35806. Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, competition is impractical for the following reasons: 1. Marotta Scientific Controls Incorporated is the sole supplier of vacuum valves for the International Space Station, United States Laboratory. As such, the learning period required by another contractor to duplicate the expertise and experience gained by Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc., through this previous work would be detrimental to the progress of the First Material Science Research Rack program in both cost and schedule. 2. Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc., has extensive experience in the design, manufacture, and test of similar valves for the same purpose (which are used on the United States Laboratory vacuum systems.) 3. Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. designed, fabricated, qualified and delivered substantially similar 1 inch motorized vacuum valves for use in the Vacuum System of the U. S. Laboratory of the International Space Station. 4. Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. has already proceeded through the critical design and development testing phases with a valve intended for use on the vacuum system of the Columbus Orbital Facility similar to the U. S. Laboratory Vacuum System 1 inch valve. This valve is substantially the same as the valve that is being procured by this action for qualification on the International Space Station. 5. No other manufacturer has the necessary expertise and experience to build and qualify a vacuum valve for the International Space Station, United States Laboratory within the 15 month schedule provided by the MSRR-1 project office. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. 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 July 12, 2000. 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. See Note 22. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 06/29/00 (D-SN469965). (0181)

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