NASA Request for Information on Planned Appraoch to Resolve VAB Deteriorated Siding
VAB Siding Drawings and Specifications 01 – Posted on Nov 23, 2004
General Information
Document Type: Special Notice
Solicitation Number: NASA-SNOTE-041123-001
Posted Date: Nov 23, 2004
Original Response Date:
Current Response Date:
Original Archive Date: Nov 23, 2005
Current Archive Date: Nov 23, 2005
Classification Code: B — Special studies and analysis – not R&D
Naics Code: 541330 — Engineering Services
Contracting Office Address
NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Description
This is a ‘Request for Information (RFI)’ only.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking industry comments on the current planned approach to resolve the VAB deteriorated siding problem.
This is an opportunity to suggest alternative materials, technology, and/or construction techniques that would result in lower cost than the current planned NASA approach. This RFI is for information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder.
NASA will review all comments/suggestions received but shall be under no obligation to respond to industry comments or to incorporate any comments/suggestions into any resultant drawings and specifications. NASA intends to develop a final design (drawings and specifications) for the repair of the VAB.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation.
Overview: The VAB was built in 1965 to support the Apollo program.
During the recent hurricane season, many of the VAB envelope wall panels were damaged; some were completely removed; some had only failures of the panels’ outer skin.
Areas of the VAB that were severely damaged included aluminum panels and translucent fiberglass panels. NASA has consulted with experts who specialize in risk mitigation, material testing, structural investigation, analysis and design, wind loading and wind tunnel testing to assist in developing the drawings and specifications included for review in this RFI. As a result of these consultations the following preliminary drawing and specification packages have been generated and are provided electronically for your review/comment:
1: VAB Siding Installation Details Drawing 79K36086
2: VAB Siding Specification 79K36159
3: VAB Siding Addenda to Drawing and Specification The following plan is considered the most cost effective solution to replace/repair panels and increase the siding panels? capacity to resist wind loads beyond the original design with the goal to meet, as close as is practical, current code requirements for wind loads.
1. Reuse all white colored aluminum panels higher than ~ 40 feet above ground level (this means that 55% of the entire building existing aluminum panels will be reused). In addition upgraded fasteners will be installed in order to increase the exterior siding negative wind pressure resistance.
Note: the white-colored aluminum panels exhibited little or no corrosion at the fasteners.
2. Replace all charcoal-colored and silver-colored aluminum panels. Additional upgraded fasteners will be installed in order to increase the exterior siding?s negative wind pressure resistance.
Note: the charcoal-colored and silver-colored aluminum panels exhibited moderate to heavy corrosion at the supporting fasteners. The corrosion appears to be due to deterioration of the rubber sealing washer at the fasteners and the resulting water infiltration as well as dissimilar metal contact.
3. Replace all translucent panels.
Note: translucent panels are deteriorated and have exceeded their service life by more than 20 years.
Building Properties: Feature Property (approximate) Height 525 feet Length 718 feet Width 518 feet Aluminum Siding 1,090,000 square feet (~60% white; 40% charcoal & silver Translucent Siding 66,000 square feet Site Tour: A site tour will be conducted on Thursday, December 2, 2004, at 9:00 a.m. (see details below).
There will be only one site tour offered. Anyone who plans to attend the site tour must give 48 hour written notice to the responsible Contract Specialist, Mitch Colvin.
The following information should be faxed to his attention at 321-867-1166 or 321-867-2042: Full Name (as it appears on your driver?s license) Social Security Number Company Name and Address Attendance is limited to three representatives from each interested firm. Attendees MUST BE US Citizens.
Attendees must show a picture ID. Attendees will pick up badges at the Pass and Identification Building Section (PIDS) on the NASA Causeway near U.S. 1 and will ride a bus from the PIDS to the VAB. Area access badges will be picked up as a group at F-gate. Cameras are permitted. Information Being Requested: Name, Company Name and brief background of experience and field of interest. Comments/Suggestions and brief history of success (why is suggested approach/materials appropriate). Provide brief, discussion and comments.
Alternative approaches (materials, fasteners, coatings, installation techniques, etc.) shall include detail describing why and how the alternative approach can meet the desired requirements at a lower cost to the Government.
Product information will not be returned.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND CAN AND WILL BE USED AND/OR RELEASED AT THE GOVERNMENT?S DISCRETION.
FOR THIS REASON, RESPONDENTS TO THIS RFI SHOULD NOT INCLUDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION IN THEIR RESPONSE. Responses Due: Responses to this RFI are due no later than Friday, December 10, 2004.
All interested parties should send their response via an official letter to NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Attn: Roy M. (Mitch) Colvin, Code: OP-ES, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899.
Questions should be directed to: Mitch Colvin, 321-867-3415.
Point of Contact
Roy M. Colvin, Contracting Officer, Phone (321) 867-3415, Fax (321) 867-1166, Email Mitch.Colvin-1@ksc.nasa.gov – Marilynn A. Nelson, Contracting Officer, Phone (321) 867-3462, Fax (321) 867-2042, Email Marilynn.Nelson-1@ksc.nasa.gov
Email your questions to Roy M. Colvin at Mitch.Colvin-1@ksc.nasa.gov
