NASA Solicitation: NASA Wallops Flight Facility Catalog of Aircraft Platforms for Science Research (CAPSR)

Synopsis – Apr 27, 2006

General Information

Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: NASAWFF8629
Posted Date: Apr 27, 2006
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Apr 27, 2006
Original Response Date: Jun 09, 2006
Current Response Date: Jun 09, 2006
Classification Code: 15 — Aircraft and airframe structural components
NAICS Code: 481219 – Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Code 210.W, Wallops Island, VA 23337

Description

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility is hereby issuing a Request for Information (RFI). This document is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to offer creative solutions, verify the reasonableness and feasibility of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Catalog of Aircraft Platforms for Science Research (CAPSR), as well as promote competition.

NASA is seeking to create a Catalog of Aircraft Platforms for Science Research (CAPSR) through which flight services would be obtained to support the variety of research program activities conducted at the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF).

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (Goddard) is responsible for overseeing an aircraft catalog in support of science missions. These needs change and evolve quickly. Furthermore, scientific targets of opportunity may require rapid deployment of assets. Response time for an individual mission can range from days to several months.

NASA is seeking to identify commercial aircraft to be offered on a fee for service basis (via Blanket Purchase Agreements) to the fullest extent feasible.

The Contractor will be tasked by Goddard on a per mission basis pertaining to the airborne science projects and will work directly with management and research teams to plan, schedule, and integrate instrumentation into the aircraft and fly the payload(s) within and outside of the Continental United States. The core aspect of this activity is to provide access to aircraft platforms for use as instrumentation carriers. The Contractor will be required to have an acceptable non-NASA safety review prior to the first tasking.

This RFI is seeking FAA certificated manned aircraft ranging in size from Light Aircraft (e.g., Caravan/Twin Otter Class) to Large Aircraft capable of carrying in excess of 5,000 pounds with a full fuel load. In addition, we are seeking to identify tested, proven, and reliable Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) capable of carrying in excess of 2 pounds preferably with over-the-horizon capability. Additional services of engineering, fabrication, and installation maybe needed depending on the payload. Goddard is seeking information on the capabilities of the platform and contractor to enable research on these platforms, the payload capacity (weight and dimensions), electrical power availability (type and capacity), and the ports (i.e., nadir, zenith, etc) and their respective dimensions. We also seek feedback on a suitable price structure such as a flight hour rate, daily rate, and labor rate structure commensurate with the engineering, fabrication, and installation support required by this activity. Furthermore, information on satellite telephone and GPS data stream availability is desired.

Interested parties are hereby invited to submit ideas/creative approaches to meeting the requirements of this RFI. Submissions to this RFI are not, and will not be considered official proposals to provide these services. It is intended that the submission will be used by the Government to determine the feasibility of this approach, the degree of interest in the industry and other interested parties, and to aid in formation of requirements for a potential future solicitation for proposals. Any submissions to this request shall be limited to no more than 30 pages, including attachments. Submissions are due no later than June 9, 2006, and shall be submitted to the address included in the last paragraph.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. The Government may invite respondent in for further discussion of ideas and concept.

All questions must be submitted in writing to Mr. Jim Dolan, Mail Code 210.W at NASA/GSFC Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA 23337 or faxed to 757-824-1974 or electronically to James.R.Dolan@NASA.Gov . We will not respond to telephone inquiries.

Point of Contact

Name: James R. Dolan
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: (757) 824-2587
Fax: (757) 824-1974
Email: James.R.Dolan@.nasa.gov

Name: Bernard J Pagliaro
Title: Procurement Manager
Phone: (757) 824-1277
Fax: (757) 824-1974
Email: Bernard.J.Pagliaro@nasa.gov