NASA ARC Early Career Initiative Sources Sought
Synopsis – Jun 10, 2014
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNA1467890L
Posted Date: Jun 10, 2014
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jun 10, 2014
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Jun 23, 2014
Current Response Date: Jun 23, 2014
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001
Description
NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is seeking innovative, agile external collaborators for the development of “out-of-the-box” space technologies in response to the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Early Career Initiative (ECI) opportunity. The ECI solicitation, when issued, will be found on http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . ARC is interested in partners that can collaborate on the development of highly innovative space hardware technologies consisting of an integrated system with a demonstration – either a ground demonstration or a flight demonstration – at the end of 2 years.
Proposing teams will include one to four NASA Ames civil servants and one to four external partners (e.g., from industry or academia); the team may have no more than eight members total. Teams must propose innovative space hardware-focused projects lasting no more than 2 years and costing no more than $1M in procurement per year (ideally less). The general approach will be milestone-based with a continuation review at the development site and a final presentation to Headquarters. A single Principal Investigator (PI), Principle Technologist (PT), or Project Manager (PM) will lead a mission investigation team. The PI, PT, or PM may be from NASA or a partnering institution, including educational institutions, industry or nonprofit organizations, federally funded research and development centers, or other U.S. Government agencies. The mission investigation team may be formed from any combination of these institutions.
Responses to this notice will serve as the basis for selection of proposal partners for ECI. Submitted responses will be maintained for possible future opportunities for 1 year. Additional information may be requested to help in the selection process.
Ames is especially looking for partners with capabilities in the following technical areas: Small spacecraft systems and technologies – this includes platforms (especially pico-, nano-, micro-, and small satellites); Subsystems and components (e.g., avionics, propulsion, structures and materials, thermal control and management, power, software); Software engineering; Payloads and instruments (e.g., life science; space weather; earth observation; planetary atmospheres; planetary probes; heliosphysics); Sample return and reentry technologies; Free flyer space biotechnology. Sensors, Instruments, Devices, Materials, Photonics, Optics, and Imaging. Sustainable and Sustaining Technologies – this includes solar, piezo, and sustainable systems (e.g., in situ resource utilization, water recycling, air revitalization, solid waste management). Nano- and Micro- Technologies and Systems – this includes nano medicine (drug delivery, wound healing, engineered materials and structures, propulsion. Biological Technologies and Applications – this includes bio-payload technologies, synthetic biology, in-situ bioanalytical and sample management technologies. Human and Robotic Exploration Technologies – this includes robotics, in-space monitoring, environment control and life support, radiation protection, autonomy and avionics. Hypersonic, Entry, Descent and Landing Technologies – this includes thermal protection materials and entry systems.
Potential partners may submit questions to Kathleen.R.Giffin@nasa.gov via email only. Pertinent information from questions and answers will be shared with all interested parties as an amendment to this notice, without disclosing the identity of the sources of the questions.
Response Instructions: Written responses shall: 1. Not exceed 5 pages per proposal, plus up to 4 1-page resumes for individuals. 2. Use an Arial font text with a size not smaller than 12 point except for tables and chart graphics, which can use 10 point. 3. Include all information requested in this notice. 4. Provide a Point of Contact and email to address questions from NASA. 5. Send responses in PDF format by the due date stated above to: Kathleen.R.Giffin@nasa.gov.
Responses to this notice must address: capabilities the responder has to offer, identify particularly critical or challenging areas that have been overcome in previous work, and indicate the resources (skills and time) that would be allocated to the potential proposal development phase.
ARC will evaluate the responses based on the following criteria: Alignment with Ames’ technology capabilities, relevance to Agency goals, record of innovation, successful performance history (i.e. timely delivery, cost management and compliance with technical requirements). The Ames New Opportunities Center (NOC) will attempt to match responders with ARC civil servants to enable formation of possible proposal teams.
In addition to the information requested above, the following areas are considered highly important in the evaluation of responses to this notice: * Ability to work as part of a government-industry team that may include other industrial partners, academia, and/or foreign partners. * Innovative technical and partnering approaches that could be used to minimize cost without increasing overall mission risk. * Demonstrated track record of developing innovative, low-cost technologies.
Responses shall include the following: Name and address of company or organization; Point of contact – address, website or email address, and phone number; Technical response; a list of relevant partners/customers over the past five years, highlighting work performed.
If responder is a commercial firm, responses should also include: Size of business and number of employees; Average annual revenue for past 3 years; Ownership -whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned and whether the company is U.S. or internationally-owned; Number of years in business; and Affiliate information: parent company (US or international), joint venture partners potential teaming partners (prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed and point of contact and phone number.
ARC reserves the right to communicate with potential proposal partners for additional information about their interest and capability. Responses to this notice will not be returned. All responders to this notice should be aware that NASA support service contractors may have access to their proposals. All information received in response to this notice that is marked ‘Proprietary’ will be handled and protected accordingly. NASA support service contractors are under an obligation to keep third-party proprietary information in confidence. By submitting a response to this notice, the responder is deemed to have consented to release of proprietary information to such NASA support service contractors.
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.
Acronyms List: ARC — Ames Research Center, I & T – Integration and Test, NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration, PI – Principal Investigator, POC — Point of Contact, ROM — Rough Order of Magnitude
Points of Contact Technical: Ingrid Desilvestre, Program Executive, Office of the Center Chief Technologist (Ingrid.desilvestre@nasa.gov)
Kathleen Giffin Title: Program Specialist, New Opportunities Center, Phone: 650-604-2752 Kathleen.R.Giffin@nasa.gov
Point of Contact
Name: Rachel Khattab
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 650-604-5237
Fax: 650-604-3020
Email: rachel.khattab@nasa.gov
