NASA GRC Solicitation: [Nuclear] Fuels Options Assessment

General Information

Document Type: Presolicitation Notice
Solicitation Number: 4200157834
Posted Date: Jun 05, 2006
Original Response Date: Jun 15, 2006
Current Response Date: Jun 15, 2006
Original Archive Date: Jun 05, 2007
Current Archive Date: Jun 05, 2007
Classification Code: A — Research & Development
Naics Code: 541710 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

Description

NASA/GRC has a requirement for establishment of a technical foundation for formulating a fuels development plan that includes the selection and fabrication of samples for non-nuclear and nuclear irradiation testing required to develop, mature, re-certify and/or validate the most promising candidate NTP fuels, coatings and/or claddings. The Contractor shall perform a thorough assessment of existing information and data on both the carbide fuel from Rover/NERVA and cermet fuel from the NL and GE-710 NTP programs.

The contactor shall also examine DOE’s current Advanced Fuels Cycle Initiative, Advanced Gas Reactor and other relevent programs with the aim of identifying synergistic applications of today’s graphite matrix fuel and CVD coating technologies and processes that could lead to a state-of-the-art NERVA fuel form having improved fission product retention. The contractor shall produce inputs to GRC in developing/formulating a fuels/coatings technology and test plan that encompasses the spectrum of activities from initial sample screening to final fuel element validation.

The plan will include both non-nuclear, hot hydrogen tsting followed by in-core irradiation testing at appropriate DOE facilities.

NASA/GRC intends to have Renmar Enterprises or Monroe WA perform the effort.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirement. The effort to be performed requires extensive, prior experience in Fission Power Systems for Surface Power applications as well as for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems. Renmar Enterprises is able to provide the services of at least one internationally recognized expert in these fields as well as additional staff with broad bases space nuclear and general fission system experience.

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 June 15, 2006.

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.

Point of Contact

Carol K. Sharp, Contracting Officer, Phone (216) 433-2771, Fax (216) 433-2480, Email Carol.K.Sharp@nasa.gov

Email your questions to Carol K. Sharp at Carol.K.Sharp@nasa.gov