NASA LaRC Solicitation: Probablistic Decision Support for Evaluating Technology and Assessing Aviation Safety System Risk

Synopsis – Sep 27, 2005

General Information

Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: AVSP-BBN-LCT
Posted Date: Sep 27, 2005
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Sep 27, 2005
Original Response Date: Oct 12, 2005
Current Response Date: Oct 12, 2005
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541710 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

Description

NASA/LaRC has a requirement to continue development of an Aviation Safety Risk Management (ASRM) model. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially funded Rutgers University (Rutgers) to build Aviation System Risk Model (ASRM) accident scenario models, which includes a probabilistic, analytical approach that builds upon the use of Bayesian Belief Network (BBN), the Reason Model (James Reason), and Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Taxonomy, delivers relative risk reduction metric as an output. NASA LaRC subsequently awarded a three-year contract to Rutgers to further develop the ASRM. Development of ARSM required significant input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) residing throughout the FAA, Airlines, and NASA. The ASRM models which Rutgers has since developed under NASA contract NAS1-03057 require updating to include the current portfolio of technologies as well as augment with additional models addressing the needs of the ASRM Program and the public. Contract NAS1-03057 expires in December 2005.

NASA/LaRC intends to purchase the service from Rutgers. The level of sophistication in the version of ASRM is the result of many years of research and development accomplished by Rutgers and funded by NASA and the FAA. If any source other than Rutgers is used, it would have to develop a prototype similar to the ASRM or understand the logic and programming code in the Rutgers-developed ASRM prototype. To complete either of these tasks, the alternate source must possess the technical ability to develop BBNs models specifically relevant to aviation safety, have extensive knowledge about all the existing Aviation Safety Program (AvSP) products, as well as, develop the understanding of the new AvSP products. Given the complexity of this program, the government estimates that it would take at least one year for another source to acquire such knowledge before it can effectively continue to further develop the ASRM models. A one-year delay in completion of this task would eliminate the possibility of obtaining needed technology effectiveness values in time to present results to a Non-Advocate Review (NAR) board. Completion of the NAR is required to continue progression of the program. Thus, Rutgers is the only source capable of satisfying the government’s requirement because Rutger’s alone has accumulated the necessary knowledge and experience to successfully continue the development of the ASRM models. Thus the government intends to execute a bi-lateral modification with Rutgers to extend the existing contract (i.e. NAS1-03057) by an additional two, one-year options to allow continued development of the ASRM models.

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 October 12, 2005. 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. Capabilities/qualifications shall, as a minimum, discuss the following issues:

A contact list of relevant Subject Matter Experts; Software platform information; Resumes which include Aviation Safety Risk Modeling and Experience.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.

See note 22.

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 Note “B”.

Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.

Point of Contact

Name: Lionel E Nadeau
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: (757) 864-2434
Fax: (757) 864-8863
Email: Lionel.E.Nadeau@nasa.gov

Name: Terri D Williams
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: (757) 864-2254
Fax: (757) 864-7709
Email: Terri.D.Williams@nasa.gov