Status Report

CBD: INFLATABLE MID L/D AEROSHELL SYSTEM

By SpaceRef Editor

July 18, 2001

Filed under Johnson Space Center, US

[Commerce Business Daily: Posted in CBDNet on July 16, 2001]
[Printed Issue Date: July 18, 2001]

From the Commerce Business Daily Online via GPO Access
[cbdnet.access.gpo.gov]

PART: U.S. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENTS
SUBPART: SERVICES
CLASSCOD: A–Research and Development

OFFADD: NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696,
Mail Code: BH

SUBJECT: A–INFLATABLE MID L/D AEROSHELL SYSTEM

SOL 9-BH13-85-01-27P

DUE 073101

POC Jonathan V. Wood, Contract Specialist, Phone (281) 244-6474,
Fax (281) 244-5331, Email jvwood@ems.jsc.nasa.gov – Krystine
O. Bui, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4186, Fax (281)
244-5331, Email krystine.o.bui1@jsc.nasa.gov
DESC: NASA/JSC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for INFLATABLE
MID L/D AEROSHELL SYSTEM.

This procurement is being conducted
under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/JSC
intends to purchase the Inflatable Mid L/D Aeroshell System
from Astrium North American. This is a conceptual design for
an inflatable aeroshell that can be used for a Mars guided
entry trajectory to a precision landing on the Mars surface
is desired. Trajectories must include entry interface velocities
ranging from 7.3 km/sec (direct entry) to 3.5 km/sec (orbit
entry). The aeroshell must include a flexible thermal protection
system that can protect the payload from the high temperatures
and heat loads that the entry vehicle will experience. The
vehicle must have a lift to drag ratio greater than 0.3 and
be controllable by an RCS system. The vehicle must be aerodynamically
stable and capable of guided trajectories controlled by lift
vector modulation using bank maneuvers or other techniques.
The contractor must have demonstrated experience in Inflatable
Re-entry and Decent Technology with test data that shows the
feasibility of the concept.

THE AUTHORITY FOR OTHER THAN FULL
AND OPEN COMPETITION is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1,
only one responsible source and no other supplies or services
will satisfy agency requirements. The Government does not intend
to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
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 July
31, 2001. 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