NASA ISS Water Processor Ambient Catalytic Reactor Catalyst Development
Synopsis – Apr 04, 2014
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNM14508379r
Posted Date: Apr 04, 2014
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Apr 04, 2014
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Apr 14, 2014
Current Response Date: Apr 14, 2014
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712
Contracting Office Address
NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Description
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) WATER PROCESSOR ASSEMBLY (WPA) AMBIENT CATALYTIC REACTOR CATALYST DEVELOPMENT
NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of the development of a high efficiency water processing oxidation catalyst capable of operation at ambient pressure and a temperature below the boiling point.
In summary, water is reclaimed on the International Space Station (ISS) from crew latent, crew urine, and Sabatier reactor product water. The Water Processor Assembly (WPA) uses adsorption and ion exchange to remove the majority of dissolved contaminants; however, volatile organic chemicals are not effectively removed via adsorption. These contaminants are treated with a Catalytic Reactor that oxidizes the organics at elevated temperature (above the normal boiling point of water) and with a gaseous oxygen feed. Operation at elevated temperature results in a more complex system design compared to a reactor that could operate at ambient pressure. However, catalysts currently available have insufficient activity to achieve complete oxidation of the organic load at a temperature less than the boiling point. The purpose of this research is to develop an improved catalyst that can completely oxidize the desired organic load at ambient pressure and a temperature < 200*F. The contaminant level defined as the “requirement” represents the nominal concentrations observed on ISS, whereas the “goal” level represents the specification levied on the current flight catalyst. Complete oxidation to carbon dioxide is preferred, but the requirement is to achieve < 3 mg/L of non-ionic Total Organic Carbon (TOC).
The Government does not intend to acquire a commerical item using FAR Part 12.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Evaluation and award of the solicitation will be based on the evaluation criteria stated in the Request for Proposal. The basis for award will be Best Value utilizing the Trade Off Process as described in FAR 15.101-1.
The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about April 14, 2014 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about June 5, 2014.
This presolicitation synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. Respondents will not be notified of the results. All contractual technical question must be submitted in writing by email. Telephone questions will not be accepted.
Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Internet cite 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.
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 .
The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/MSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=62
Point of Contact
Name: Darlene L Schmidt
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 256-544-2008
Fax: 256-544-2934
Email: darlene.l.schmidt@nasa.gov
Name: Belinda F Triplett
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 256-544-3203
Fax: 256-544-2934
Email: belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov
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