NASA ARC Composite Combustion Chamber and Paraffin Fuel Grains

Synopsis – Feb 11, 2015

General Information

    Solicitation Number: NNA15539142L

    Posted Date: Feb 11, 2015

    FedBizOpps Posted Date: Feb 11, 2015

    Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No

    Original Response Date: Feb 23, 2015

    Current Response Date: Feb 19, 2015

    Classification Code: 91 — Fuels, lubricants, oils and waxes

    NAICS Code: 336415

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001

Description

NASA/ARC has a requirement for a Composite Combustion Chamber and Paraffin Fuel Grains to be used by the NASA Ames Peregrine Project. The NASA Ames Peregrine Project has a requirement to develop and ground test a filament over wrapped composite combustion chamber containing a paraffin-based fuel grain. If the combustion chamber development and subsequent testing a fully successful, these components may eventually fly on a sounding rocket to be launched from NASA Wallops Flight Facility. The project personnel have recently completed ground testing of the paraffin fuel in a heavy-weight steel chamber and the goal of stable and efficient combustion were achieved. Therefore, the next step is to perform testing in a flight-weight chamber. The ultimate goal of this research project is to develop technology that will lead to low cost access to space.

The requirement is for three paraffin fuel grains contained in composite overwrapped combustion chambers. They are to be 18.0 inches in diameter, 112 inches in length, and will contain up to 208 lbs of SP1X paraffin-based fuel. The units will be used in combustion tests at NASA Ames Research Center.

The contractor will perform the following three tasks: (1) design and analysis of the combustion chamber, (2) fabrication of the combustion chamber prototype, and (3) fabrication of two additional chambers under this effort. Three deliverables will be required: a report detailing the design and the results of the strength analyses, the prototype combustion chamber, and two additional chambers. The Government will provide the contractor with the following materials to fabricate the combustion chambers: fore end domes, fore insulators, aft insulators, and nozzles.

NASA/ARC intends to purchase the items from Space Propulsion Group, Inc. PO Box 60972, Palo Alto, CA 94306 in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

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 Emily Chan at emily.s.chan@nasa.gov not later than 12:00PM PST on February 19, 2015. 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.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html

Point of Contact

    Name: Emily S Chan

    Title: Contract Specialist

    Phone: 650-604-0313

    Fax: 650-604-0912

    Email: emily.s.chan@nasa.gov

    Name: Veronica L Gutierrez

    Title: Contracting Officer

    Phone: 650-604-5626

    Fax: 650-604-0932

    Email: veronica.l.gutierrez@nasa.gov

X