NASA KSC Solicitation: Commercial Crew Program Office – Request for Information

Synopsis – May 20, 2011

General Information

Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: NNKCCPO01
Posted Date: May 20, 2011
FedBizOpps Posted Date: May 20, 2011
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Jun 03, 2011
Current Response Date: Jun 03, 2011
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Contracting Office Address

NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

Description

1.0 Description

NASA investment of resources to communicate with the private sector may aid in the development and demonstration of safe, reliable, and cost-effective space transportation capabilities. In a multiphase strategy, the program would help to spur the innovation and development of new spacecraft and launch vehicles from the commercial industry, creating a new way of delivering cargo – and eventually crew – to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and the International Space Station (ISS). As NASA retires the Space Shuttle, the ability of private industry to take on the task of providing routine access to space is of vital importance.

NASA is currently developing requirements for a Commercial Crew Transportation (CCT) capability that would be able to transport NASA astronauts and other spaceflight participants safely to and from LEO and the ISS.

This RFI will be implemented through direct collaborations with U.S. space industry participants who are actively developing a viable Crew Transportation System (CTS) or an element of a system (i.e., launch vehicle or spacecraft) with significant and recent flight history for the purpose of conducting market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. The purpose of these collaborations is to permit NASA to collect technical information from industry on specific CTSs and elements to help NASA identify whether its needs can be met by commercial CTS capabilities anticipated to become available to support the ISS. NASA is also seeking feedback from industry on its 1100 Series and may provide an opportunity for industry participants to obtain a preliminary evaluation of their CTS or element against NASA’s draft requirements and feedback on whether their CTS or element would meet NASA’s draft requirements. NASA communication to participants will not involve proposed solutions, recommendations, or advice on the participant’s design. The process also permits industry participants to provide feedback on the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of NASA’s proposed certification approach. Review of lower level components or subsystems, such as life support systems, launch abort systems, or rendezvous sensors, would not materially advance the development of NASA’s 1100 Series, information on components or subsystems do not meet the purpose of this RFI and will not be considered.

NASA anticipates entering into appropriate arrangements to support these collaborations; including providing necessary access to NASA facilities, personnel and technical information, however, there will be no provision of funds in connection with this opportunity. Respondents will be responsible for financing their own activities. Participation in significant or structured analysis and feedback activities will be contingent upon negotiation of an appropriate arrangement between NASA and each industry participant. This opportunity for collaboration is not exclusive; NASA, at its discretion, may enter into arrangements to collect information with one or more industry participants.

NASA will not issue paper copies of this RFI. NASA reserves the right to select for initial communication all, some, or none of the requests submitted in response to this RFI. NASA provides no funding for reimbursement of the costs of requesting to participate in this RFI. Material submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned.

It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose proprietary information obtained during this RFI. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as “Proprietary or Confidential” will be kept confidential. NASA reserves the right to share all information received in response to this RFI throughout NASA to determine eligibility as set forth in Section 4 below. NASA will require the ability to use data received during the collaboration process to determine whether its needs can be met, and evaluate the participant’s CTS or elements against NASA’s draft requirements in order to identify possible improvements or refinements to its 1100 Series. NASA may use contractor support personnel to assist in providing expertise regarding during the collaboration period. Any support contractor involved in the collaboration process shall be free of conflicts of interest, will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and competition sensitive information.

2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

Agency Name: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Opportunity Title: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Response Date: Electronic requests for participation in this RFI should be received no later than June 3, 2011 at 4:00P.M. EST. NASA will engage in ongoing review of requests as received prior to the Response Date and will initiate communications with all qualified respondents. Requests may be submitted at any time before the response date.

Points of Contact:

If you have any questions concerning this opportunity please contact: David Shreve, Contracting Officer 321-867-3456 David.Shreve@nasa.gov

Instrument Type(s): NASA will enter into appropriate arrangements with eligible respondents depending on the specific activities agreed to by NASA and each respondent. Notification Date: Contact for discussions is anticipated to be within 2 days of receiving a response to the RFI.

Submission Instructions: All requests under this RFI must be emailed to David.Shreve@nasa.gov. Paper submissions will not be reviewed. Requests may be submitted at any time before the Response Date. You are encouraged to submit as early as practicable prior to the Response Date. Requests received by the Government after the Response Date will not be accepted. If a participant is concerned about information security during transmission NASA has the ability to accept secure transmission. Contact the Point of Contact for secure transmission requirements. Format and Content: Files can be submitted in MS Word, PDF, or RTF with a maximum RFI response of 10 MB. There is no prescribed format; however submission is limited to no more than five pages. Content shall include a description of how you are actively developing a viable CTS or an element of a system (i.e., launch vehicles and spacecraft) with significant and recent flight history, description of activities for collaboration with a timeline, and expected documentation to be evaluated. All requests must include information sufficient to permit NASA to evaluate eligibility under 3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION below and to establish that the participant can provide technical information and feedback consistent with the purpose of this RFI.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

The following entities may submit a request under this RFI: an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of a State, which is:

A. More than 50 percent owned by United States nationals; or

B. A subsidiary of a foreign company and the Secretary of Transportation finds that –

(i) Such subsidiary has in the past evidenced a substantial commitment to the United States market through –

a. Investments in the United States in long-term research, development, and manufacturing (including the manufacture of major components and subassemblies); and

b. Significant contributions to employment in the United States; and

(ii) The country or countries in which such foreign company is incorporated or organized, and, if appropriate, in which it principally conducts its business, affords reciprocal treatment to companies described in subparagraph A comparable to that afforded to such foreign company’s subsidiary in the United States, as evidenced by –

a. Providing comparable opportunities for companies described in subparagraph A. to participate in Government sponsored research and development similar to that authorized under Title 42 U.S.C. Chapter 141 (Commercial Space Opportunities and Transportation Services).

b. Providing no barriers, to companies described in subparagraph A. with respect to local investment opportunities, that are not provided to foreign companies in the United States; and

c. Providing adequate and effective protection for the intellectual property rights of companies described in subparagraph A.

4.0 REVIEW OF REQUESTS

4.1 Evaluation Process. All requests will be initially screened to determine eligibility (Section 3.0) and whether the request meets the intended purpose of this RFI and are from potential participants who are actively developing a viable CTS or an element of a system (i.e., launch vehicle or spacecraft) with significant and recent flight history. NASA will notify all participants of the results of the screening.

Requests from eligible participants which are consistent with the intended purpose of this RFI will be contacted to discuss opportunities for communications in furtherance of NASA’s market research efforts.

The Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this Notice, nor will the Government reimburse firms for costs incurred to prepare responses to this Notice

Reference 1100 Series: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/sol.cgi?acqid=146207# Draftdocument Requirements Workshop: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/synopsis.cgi?acqid=146273 ).

Point of Contact

Name: C. David Shreve
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 321-867-3456
Fax: 321-867-1166
Email: david.shreve@nasa.gov