66--FILAMENT WINDING MACHINE

NASA/MSFC has a requirement for one each 4-axis aerospace grade rear beam filament winding machine, Entec #5K30-120-4-1, complete with all needed features required to filament wind pressure vessels up to 30" X 120" and handle a part that weighs up to 5,000 pounds. This includes Wimax-II Control System, Pattern Generation Software, Pre-preg Delivery System, and Installation and Training. NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from Engineering Technology (ENTEC) Corporation, 2975 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84115-3436. This recommendation is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, which implements the authority for 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) for acquisition of supplies or services from only one source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Competition is impractical for the following reasons: 1. The ENTEC winding machine being acquired is a more modern reliable version of an older ENTEC winding machine currently being used at MSFC that is obsolete and difficult to use. In addition, MSFC has a separate ENTEC machine, which is currently being utilized. The machine being acquired has a similar operating system as both currently owned MSFC machines, and will provide necessary compatibility. The machine acquired from ENTEC would provide an exact back-up system for producing necessary hardware such as pressure vessels and aerospace components with the required level of accuracy should the other utilized machine malfunction or be down for repairs. This equipment can be utilized simulatenously with the other machinery to provide faster production. 2. A machine acquired from a different vendor could not provide this compatibility because another vendor’s machine could not simulate and reproduce current winding patterns because this software is proprietary to ENTEC and cannot be obtained from any other vendor. Considerable engineering design and software development would be required and another company would be unable to reproduce current hardware such as aerospace components with the needed level of accuracy since the slightest changes to processing parameters would create questions on validity of data and require that a large program, such as Shuttle, manufacture and test numerous pieces of the hardware being manufactured (possibly up to 20) to ensure performance was not compromised, requiring additional time, personnel and funds. This could also result in a delay to NASA’s critical return to flight schedule and NASA’s mission and cause irreparable harm. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. 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 February 28, 2005. 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. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.