NASA Request for Information Seeking Potential Interest and Use of JSC Unique Capabilities in Structural Testing
Synopsis – Oct 05, 2012
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNJ13ZBH001L
Posted Date: Oct 05, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Oct 05, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Nov 05, 2012
Current Response Date: Nov 05, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH
Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION SEEKING POTENTIAL INTEREST AND USE OF NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER UNIQUE CAPABILITIES IN STRUCTURAL TESTING
1-PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE AND REQUEST
NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) seeks to enhance the use of the JSC’s unique capabilities to support government, university, and commercial activities. We believe the unique integrated resources available at JSC, including facilities, labs and technical expertise, can be of great benefit to the nation and enhance technological research and development. The purpose of this RFI is to engage prospective partners in dialogue leading to R&D efforts that enhance utilization of NASA JSC unique capabilities by industry, universities and other government agencies. The expectation is that NASA JSC will be reimbursed for all costs incurred. Our first step is to assess interest regarding the unique JSC Structural Testing capabilities that have the greatest prospects to expand partnerships, customer base and economic opportunities consistent with the NASA mission. We seek responses from organizations interested in utilize JSC’s unique combination of expertise, labs, tools, and facilities, hereafter referred to as “capabilities” in the area of Structures Testing, on a reimbursable basis. These capabilities have broad application within diverse industries including the aerospace industry.
2-UNIQUE NASA CAPABILITIES
JSC’s Structures unique capabilities include a full range of end-to-end structural test labs and tools as well as technical expertise associated with analyzing resultant data and operations. The end-to-end structural testing capabilities include:
-Testing and analyzing exotic materials and composites in extreme environments
-Research into understanding material properties
-Integration of those materials into novel new structural designs such as inflatable structures
-Design of subsystems and complete systems for aircraft and space flight vehicles
-Research and development of new advanced manufacturing techniques
-Rapid prototyping and fabrication of components and systems for aircraft and spaceflight vehicles, and industrial structures
-Structural, thermal vacuum and environmental testing of those components and vehicles
The core capabilities/competencies managed at the Center that are essential to Structures are:
-Metallic Spacecraft Structures (potential for non-aerospace applications)
-Composite Spacecraft Structure (potential for non-aerospace applications)
-Inflatable Spacecraft Structure (potential for non-aerospace applications)
-Spacecraft Windows (potential for non-aerospace applications)
-Pressure Integrity of Habitable Elements, enclosures, or structures
-Seismic floor, load frames, multi-axis load control system, thermal chambers)
More details of each Structures Capability are described in the “Structures Facility Testing Guide” documents which are available at
Our intent is to engage with potential partners to make available, on a reimbursable basis, NASA JSC’s structural facilities and expert NASA Science and Engineering staff to conduct work. We will jointly define potential R&D efforts, develop mutually agreed to statements of work, cost, and schedule as defined in a reimbursable Space Act Agreement (SAA). We anticipate some respondents may be interested in only one area or sub-area while others may be interested in broad efforts requiring more than one capability. Some organizations may want to partner because of their direct needs, or there may be respondents who wish to utilize JSC support to meet needs of third parties. Such activities can be accommodated utilizing a SAA, either for a single project or for a group of projects (“umbrella” SAA), consistent with the NASA mission. Based on the quantity and quality of responses, NASA JSC expects to engage selected organization(s) in further discussions regarding expanded partnerships, customer base and economic opportunities consistent with the NASA mission. Site visits are welcomed and JSC encourages face-to-face meetings to foster additional dialog pertaining to any proposed partnerships.
3-INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM RESPONDENT
Given the description of capabilities defined in the area of Structures, we are seeking information on potential partnership opportunities. If your company requires structural analysis and testing capabilities as described above, please contact us with your company name and point of contact. Please provide summaries of your interest(s), assuming details would be further refined through discussions with NASA managers/technical staff. Interested parties shall submit statements of interest electronically, via e-mail, or contact the RFI General Point of Contact (POC) listed below.
4- RESPONSE DATE: Responses are required no later than COB on the response date specified above. Information received after this date will only be considered if deemed in the Government’s best interest. Please reference this RFI, “NNJ13ZBH001L”, in any response. Respondents are cautioned to mark any information confidential if it is to be treated as proprietary. All electronic responses should be sent to the RFI POC, identified below, with the message line “Response to RFI-NNJ13ZBH001L”
5- General Points of Contact
Questions of a general nature should be directed to
Shirley Holland-Hunt 281-483-3254
shirley.m.holland-hunt@nasa.gov
Questions of a technical nature should be directed to
Greg Galbreath 281-483-4370-1270
Gregory.f.galbreath@nasa.gov
Questions related to Reimbursable rates or financial questions should be directed to John Harrison 281.244.5632
John.h.harrison@nasa.gov
For more information please visit website http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/engineering/human_space_vehicle_systems/structures_test_laboratory/index.html
Point of Contact
Name: Dana Altmon-Cary
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-483-8228
Fax: 281-483-4066
Email: dana.altmon-cary-1@nasa.gov
Name: Jessica C. Miller
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-483-6792
Fax: 281-483-4066
Email: jessica.c.miller@nasa.gov
