NASA Request for Information (RFI): On infrastructure, capabilities, and best practices for mini pig research to characterize space radiation effects
Solicitation Number: 80JSC021L0004
Release Date: October 30, 2020
Response Date: November 27, 2020
The Human Research Program (HRP) investigates and mitigates the highest risks to astronaut health and performance in exploration missions. The goal of the HRP is to provide human health and performance countermeasures, knowledge, technologies, and tools to enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration, and to ensure safe and productive human spaceflight. The scope of these goals includes both the successful completion of exploration missions and the preservation of astronaut health over the life of the astronaut.
The Space Radiation Element (SRE) is requesting information on existing research infrastructure, established capabilities, and research strategies to perform long-term health studies using mini pigs as a model organism. Priority areas of research interest are carcinogenesis, cardiovascular/degenerative disease, and short- and long-term neurobehavioral/cognitive decrements following low dose whole body exposure to ionizing radiation relevant to the space radiation environment. Appropriate responses should include information on the following areas:
· Existing infrastructure and personnel for long-term husbandry and follow up preferably using translational techniques.
· Existing infrastructure for large animal whole body irradiation.
· Accessibility to and appropriateness of tests/assays to assess priority research areas.
· Estimated associated costs.
The full text of the RFI and response instructions can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/SRMPRFI. Responses must be submitted electronically using the NSPIRES web site. This RFI is open to responses from all parties including commercial entities, international organizations, academia, NASA Centers, and other government agencies.
The information obtained will be used by NASA for planning and acquisition strategy development. NASA will use the information obtained as a result of this RFI on a non-attribution basis. Providing data and information that is limited or restricted for use by NASA for that purpose would be of very little value and such restricted/limited data/information is not solicited. No information or questions received will be posted to any website or public access location. NASA may respond to the individual responses. The Government does not intend to award an award on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.
