NASA GRC Solicitation: Solar Electric Propulsion Demonstration Mission Concept Studies

Synopsis – May 20, 2011

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNC11ZMA017K
Posted Date: May 20, 2011
FedBizOpps Posted Date: May 20, 2011
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Jul 05, 2011
Current Response Date: Jul 05, 2011
Classification Code: B — Special studies and analysis – not R and D
NAICS Code: 336415 – Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing

Contracting Office Address

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

Description

NASA GRC intends to issue a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Solar Electric Propulsion Demonstration Mission Concept Studies. The BAA will be available not sooner than 15 days from the posting of this notice, by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listings “Solicitations” to “Open Solicitations.”

Study elements will include mission justification; technology identification and maturation; mission concept of operations; launch vehicle considerations; integrated flight system conceptual design; mission cost estimate; project schedule; concepts for government and industry partnerships; and project risk identification. NASA will use the results from these studies for project planning and implementation. NASA is examining potential mission concepts for a Solar Electric Propulsion Demonstration. The flight demonstration mission will test and validate key capabilities and technologies required for future exploration elements such as 300 kW solar electric transfer vehicles. The mission cost target is approximately $200M. Higher cost options may be proposed if there is a substantial increase in benefit, but the mission cost shall not exceed $300M. Also, lower cost options may be proposed if there is substantial decrease in mission cost with modest decrease in benefits. NASA anticipates awarding firm-fixed-priced contracts for these studies. The duration of the contracts will be 135 days.

Proposals shall be submitted electronically, and all proposers shall use NASA’s proposal data system, NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ). In addition, the electronic proposals must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Participation is open to all non-government U.S. institutions including educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations. Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to this BAA must be registered with NSPIRES, and such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the electronic proposal system well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Specific proposal submission deadline dates, evaluation criteria, and submission information will be identified in the BAA. The BAA will identify the due date of proposals. To assist the planning of the proposal evaluation process, NASA encourages the submission of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to propose by all prospective proposers. The NOI submittal date will be identified in the BAA. Awards based on this solicitation are contingent on availability of appropriated funds.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 336415 and 1,000 employees, respectively. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

The anticipated release date of the BAA is on or about June 6, 2011 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about July 5, 2011. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is Kirk D. Seablom, 216 433-5593). Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.

Point of Contact

Name: Glen M. Williams
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 216-433-2885
Fax: 216-433-2480
Email: Glen.M.Williams-1@nasa.gov