Status Report

NASA Solicitation: Nano-satellite Launch

By SpaceRef Editor
August 2, 2011
Filed under , ,
NASA Solicitation: Nano-satellite Launch
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Synopsis/Solicitation Combo – Jul 29, 2011

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNK11LB41Q
Posted Date: Jul 29, 2011
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jul 29, 2011
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Aug 10, 2011
Current Response Date: Aug 10, 2011
Classification Code: 18 — Space vehicles
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

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) in accordance with Subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only request; quotations are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is seeking a high altitude launch service for demonstration Nano-Satellites. This contract will consist of a single launch with potential extension at the Government’s discretion to up to four additional launches. LSP requires a launch service provider with proven flight experience and a rocket capable of both launch and safe return of Nano-Satellite payloads in order to collect/analyze NASA experimental data. The solicitation is under NAICS 541712 c for Space Vehicles and Guided Missiles, their Propulsion Units, their Propulsion Units Parts, and their Auxiliary Equipment and Parts.

The Contractor shall provide a launch vehicle with at minimum one successful previous launch. In the proposal the Contractor shall provide the Government with flight data (either telemetered or recovered) from previous launch attempts and insight into the Launch Vehicle propulsion system design that will be used on the contracted mission(s).

A firm fixed price for the first flight with four (4) options of one (1) additional flight per option shall be priced by the Contractor. Options for the additional flights shall be priced based on a flight rate of one launch every 6 to 12 months. Contracted flight(s) shall occur within 12 months from Authorization to Proceed (ATP).

As a separate price, the Contractor shall provide prices for the same flights where ejection of Nano-Satellites contained in the P-POD is not required.

Closing date set for receipt of offers is August 10, 2011 at 12:00 pm EST.

Offers should be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed (321-867-0337) prior to the established due date above. e-mail: Jennifer.L.Dorsey@nasa.gov. The postal address is:

NASA Procurement M/C OP-LS Attn: Jennifer Dorsey KSC, FL. 32899

Evaluation

Offers will be evaluated and the Contractor selected based on the following:

(1) Total overall price, (2) Technical capabilities, and (3) Past performance.

All evaluation factors other than cost or price are approximately equal to cost or price.

Past performance and Technical Capabilities. Past performance and technical capabilities will be evaluated as part of the evaluation process. “Past performance” refers to the quality of your work in the past. Past performance will be evaluated on the basis of information obtained from references and other sources. “Technical capabilities” refers to the ability of your company to meet the Government’s requirements. This shall be demonstrated by providing flight data from previous launch attempts and insight into the Launch Vehicle propulsion system design which shall be submitted with your quotation.

Past performance more than three (3) years old will not be considered.

Tradeoff Analysis and Contractor Selection:

The contract will be awarded to the offeror that has the best combination of price, technical capability, and past performance.

Contact Information:

Written questions as a result of this requirement should be directed to Jennifer Dorsey at Jennifer.L.Dorsey@nasa.gov by August 2, 2011.

Applicable Terms and Conditions:

52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration (04/08) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (07/10) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting With Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (09/06) 52.211-8 Time of Delivery (06/97) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (06/10) 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (07/10) 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (03/00) 52.219-28 Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (04-09) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (06/03) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (02/99) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (03/07) 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (09/06) 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disable Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans (09/06) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (02/09) 52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace (05/01) 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (06/08) 52.232-23 Assignment of Claims (01/86) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration (10/03) 52.233-1 Disputes (07/02) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (10/04) 52.243-1 Changes – Fixed Price Alternate I (04/84) 52.249-1 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price) (Short Form) (04/84) 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (02/98) 1852.215-84 Ombudsman (10/03) 1852.223-70 Safety & Health (04/02)

Statement of Work Scope:

The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is seeking a high altitude launch service for demonstration Nano-Satellites. This contract will consist of a single launch with potential extension at the Government’s discretion to up to four additional launches. LSP requires a launch service provider with proven flight experience and a rocket capable of both launch and safe return of Nano-Satellite payloads in order to collect/analyze NASA experimental data. The goal of this project is to provide high altitude flights to CubeSats in order to demonstrate new technologies before space flight.

Background:

The NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is investigating the feasibility of a mission which consists of launching a Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) with up to 3 “1U” Nano-Satellites and four individual “1U” Nano-Satellites. The Nano-Satellites located within the P-POD will require the ability to be ejected at a designated point during flight. The remaining four “1U” Nano-Satellites will be secured throughout flight without need for ejection capability.

The P-POD provides a standard interface between picosatellite class satellites and a launch vehicle. The purpose of the P-POD is to act as an interface between the picosatellites (also known as CubeSats) and the launch vehicle, as well as a deployment system for the CubeSats. The P-POD utilizes a tubular design and can hold up to 34cm x 10cm x 10cm of hardware. The most common configuration is three CubeSats of equal size (typically 10 cm cubes with a mass of less than 1 kg); however, the capability exists to integrate picosatellites of different lengths. The tubular design creates a predictable linear trajectory for the picosatellites resulting in a low spin rate upon deployment. The satellites are deployed from the P-POD by means of a spring, and glide along smooth flat rails as they exit the P-POD. After a signal is sent from the launch vehicle, a spring-loaded door is opened and the picosatellites are deployed by the main spring. Ground Rules and Assumptions: 1) The Contractor shall provide a payload section capable of accommodating up to 20Kgs of NASA payload consisting of the following: a. One P-POD with up to 3 “1U” CubeSats and 4 individual “1U” CubeSats; and b. Harness and Telemetry hardware. 2) The Contractor shall be responsible for attaining all required approvals necessary for launch. 3) Successful operation of the Contractor’s Launch Vehicle shall not be inhibited by NASA payloads being powered on and transmitting RF to a level of 5 watts output prior to and during flight. 4) The Contractor shall designate to the Government a sufficient area on the body of the rocket to affix NASA-provided decals. (Details of the specifications of these decals will be determined after award through agreement between the Government and the Contractor.) 5) The Contractor shall be able to accommodate a T-0 disconnect with a minimum of 12 wired connectors. 6) The Contractor shall provide support (e.g., telemetry, internet access, and phone) on launch day at the launch site facility for at minimum two (2) NASA-specified personnel and provide an upper limit for the total number of personnel the Contractor can support on launch day at that facility 7) The Government will be responsible for the Nano-Satellites originally contained in the P POD after they are ejected from the launch vehicle. 8) The Government plans to broadcast the launch during an educational webcast to schools throughout the US. The launch countdown needs to be flexible to accommodate the webcast.

Task Description

The Contractor shall provide a launch vehicle with at minimum one successful previous launch. In the proposal the Contractor shall provide the Government with flight data (either telemetered or recovered) from previous launch attempts and insight into the Launch Vehicle propulsion system design that will be used on the contracted mission(s).

A firm fixed price for the first flight with four (4) options of one (1) additional flight per option shall be priced by the Contractor. Options for the additional flights shall be priced based on a flight rate of one launch every 6 to 12 month. Contracted flight(s) shall occur within 12 months from Authorization to Proceed (ATP). As a separate price, the Contractor shall provide prices for the same flights where ejection of Nano-Satellites contained in the P-POD is not required.

Deliverables:

1) The Contractor shall deliver a schedule including, but not limited to, launch location processing time and mission integration milestones. 2) The Contractor shall deliver the rocket payload section to the Government for offsite integration of the P-POD and Nano-Satellites no less than 60 days prior to the specified launch date. 3) The Contractor shall provide a launch vehicle instrumented in a manner to ensure data recovery in the case of a contingency during flight (e.g., telemetered, protected recoverable recording device). 4) The Contractor shall provide a launch vehicle capable of reaching a minimum launch altitude of 15 thousand feet. 5) The launch vehicle shall provide command for turn on of the Nano-Satellites prior to liftoff, a minimum of six pairs. 6) The Contractor shall provide video of major flight events in a format that is capable of being streamed via the web in real-time (e.g., liftoff, separation of stages (if designed with staging), ejection of Nano-Satellites from P-POD, deployment of parachute or other recovery devices, etc.). 7) The Contractor shall provide video of major flight events in a format that is digitally recorded and delivered to the NASA POC within five (5) working days of launch (e.g., liftoff, separation of stages (if designed with staging), ejection of Nano-Satellites from P-POD, deployment of parachute or other recovery devices, etc.). 8) The payload section shall be designed so that a P-POD can eject its CubeSats at a designated point during flight. 9) The Contractor shall provide a post flight data package to include collected data from the mission.

Period of Performance: The initial period of performance shall be September 1, 2011, through September 1, 2012, but may be extended if the Government exercises any of the four (4) optional launches.

NASA Technical Points of Contact:

NASA Mission Manager Garrett L. Skrobot: Garrett.L.Skrobot@nasa.gov Phone 321-867-5365 Mailstop: VA-C Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

NASA System Manager: TBD

Point of Contact

Name: Jennifer L Dorsey
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 321-867-0337
Fax: 321-867-4884
Email: jennifer.l.dorsey@nasa.gov

Name: Gina E Hudak
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 321-867-1274
Fax: 321-867-4848
Email: gina.e.hudak@nasa.gov

SpaceRef staff editor.