Marshall Engineering Technicians and Trades Support (METTS) Services

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a continuing requirement for the highly specialized engineering technicians and trades support services.  NASA/MSFC intends to extend the current contract (NNM15AA19C) for up to six (6) months via contract modification with the current contractor, Aerie Aerospace.  NASA intends to execute a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) in order to continue these services.  The aforementioned justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition to award an extension for up to six (6) months.  This extension will provide the continuation of services under the Marshall Engineering Technicians and Trades Support (METTS) services contract while the Source Evaluation Board (SEB) completes its efforts to award the follow-on METTS III contract following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) protest on the award. The continuation of contract

performance on the existing METTS II contract is needed to allow sufficient time for resolution of the GAO protest, and a proper phase-in and transition to the new contractor. Additionally, the value associated with the JOFOC is $30M. The METTS contract was competitively awarded to Aerie Aerospace with a Period of Performance (POP) consisting of a one (1) year base period, October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016 and four (4) one year option periods for an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2020.  The Option to Extend Services clause was exercised via Modification 097 on September 29, 2020 and extended the POP through March 31, 2021.  A previous JOFOC executed to bridge NNM15AA19C to the follow-on METTS III contract resulted in a contract extension through December 31, 2021, and a second JOFOC was executed to extend METTS II contract through March 31, 2022.  The contract covers a wide range of engineering technician and trade skills, and professional and management oversight of the technical staff.  The METTS contractor provides direct support to the MSFC Engineering Directorate (ED), the Facilities Management Office (FMO), and other MSFC programs and projects requiring engineering technician and trade support services. The primary ED Departments and Laboratories supported by the METTS contract include the Materials and Process Laboratory, the Space Systems Department, and Test Laboratory.  Support is also provided to the ED Propulsion Systems Department and Spacecraft and Vehicle Systems Department. The contract includes Mission Services Requirements and an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) element.  Mission Services requirements define the services identified by the Government intended to remain on the contract for its duration, while the IDIQ portion establishes the requirements that may be authorized through the issuance of an individual Task Order (TO).MASA/MSFC has a responsibility for the Space Launch System (SLS), and SLS receives considerable engineering technician and trade support from the METTS contract to include the following examples: Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) Structural Qualification Test, Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Tank Test, LH2 Tank Test, Mobile Launcher Dynamic Stabilizer Test, Core Stage Thermal Protection System Testing, Spacecraft Payload Integration and Evolution (SPIE) Launch Vehicle Stage Adaptor (LVSA), Multi Stage Adapter (MSA), Payload Adapter Fitting (PAF), and Core Stage Battery Test. The METTS contract provides ongoing support for the International Space Station (ISS) that includes performing fabrication, refurbishment, assembly, precision cleaning, and/or test of hardware for the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) subsystems, and the Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber (4Bed). The METTS contract provides the engineering and technical services for Propellant and Pressurant (P&P) Services and Valve and Component Services to sustain all MSFC operations and testing.  This is highly critical support with 24/7 services being performed. In addition, the METTS contract is providing services to MSFC organizations in support of Commercial Crew and other aerospace projects that require fabrication, modifications, and/or testing.  Examples include: multiple SpaceX and Blue Origin projects, United Launch Alliance Instrumentation and Centaur V tests, and RUAG Payload and Interstate Adapter tests.This action will allow NASA/MSFC to continue receiving highly specialized engineering technician and trade services to support NASA missions without disruption at the appropriate levels through the re-competition process of the METTS III contract. Other known sources are capable of performing the requirements associated with the METTS contract.  This is demonstrated in the three proposals received in response to the METTS III RFP.  However, knowledge of the market also indicates that there is no source other than Aerie Aerospace that is capable of immediately providing the services required by MSFC over the short duration needed until the services are transitioned to the follow-on contract. Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, the Government intends to award a sole source six (6) month contract extension to Aerie Aerospace for the continuation of highly specialized services provided via the METTS II contract.  The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Steven Shaw at steven.s.shaw@nasa.gov not later than 4:30 PM CST on January 27, 2022.  Such capabilities and 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 http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html