NASA Solicitation: Sample Preparation Device for Mars 2020 Rover
Synopsis – Nov 13, 2013
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNA14ZSS001L
Posted Date: Nov 13, 2013
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Nov 13, 2013
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Dec 09, 2013
Current Response Date: Dec 09, 2013
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 334516
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0001
Description
This notice is issued by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center (ARC) to solicit responses to seek a possible industry partner to team on a development that includes design and manufacture of a Sample Preparation Device (SPD) that will be part of a proposal for the Mars 2020 rover Announcement of Opportunity (AO). This Sources Sought Notice will close on 09 December 2013.
Prospective responders are invited to submit written comments or questions to the ARC Point of Contact (POC) for this opportunity for partnering with Ames: Mr. Anthony Strawa at Anthony.W.Strawa@nasa.gov. No later than 22 November 2013. When emailing comments or questions, provide Reference Number NNA14ZSS0001L in the subject line.
Special Notice Response Instructions:
(Questions) Potential partners are encouraged to submit questions to the identified POC in writing (email). Pertinent information from questions and answers will be shared with all interested parties, without disclosing the identity of the sources of the questions. 22 November 2013 (5 PM PST) is the cutoff for questions. This will afford enough time for the questions to be answered and posted to this notice before the closing date (09 December 2013: 5 PM PST).
(Responses) Written responses shall be on 8.5×11 pages and: 1. Not exceed 10 pages (Note: insert pages and each page (8.5×11) fold of an insert constitutes a page). 2. Use Arial font text at 12 point. 3 Include all information requested in this notice. 4. Provide a POC and email address to address questions from NASA. 5. Submit responses via email in a PDF document to Mr. Strawa no later than 09 December 2013 by 5 PM PST. ARC reserves the right to complete its evaluation of responses in a time frame necessary to support timely submission of the ARC proposal for the Mars 2020 Rover Announcement of Opportunity. ARC reserves the right to hold optional oral presentations or written email exchanges with potential proposal partners. Responses will include a specified period of time to present and a specified time for questions and answers. Responses to this notice will not be returned. All responders to this notice should be aware that NASA support service contractors may have access to their proposals. All information received in response to this notice that is marked ‘Proprietary’ will be handled and protected accordingly. NASA support service contractors are under an obligation to keep third-party proprietary information in confidence. By submitting a response to this notice, the responder is deemed to have consented to release of proprietary information to such NASA support service contractors.
The SPD Description
The SPD prepares samples for a detector system where the samples are analyzed. To accomplish this, the SPD must provide the following functions:
*Intake powdered sample (0.1-2 grams) of rock cuttings or soil samples through a port.
*Add fluid to the sample at 5 times the sample volume. This fluid must be stored on board and consists of liquid water and a salt solution.
*Perform sonication of the sample to separate organic compounds and/or biologically produced compounds from the mineral matrix.
*Filter the sample to remove the mineral particles.
*Flow the sample into another chamber where it will be analyzed.
*Storage of waste fluid and used particulate samples.
The above requirements are illustrated as such: Conceptually, it is anticipated that the functionality of the hardware of the SPD will allow a particulate sample to enter a sealable chamber through a port. Liquid solution is added to the chamber, which is then sealed and sonicated. The liquid is then filtered to remove the particulates and introduced into another chamber that is an existing analysis system/analytical chamber already built by a third party. After analysis, the fluid is pumped to a waste storage container, also included in the SPD system. The waste particulates must also be stored.
If possible, it is desirable for a responder to provide a diagram in its proposal to better illustrate how the above system would be constructed or if a system is already developed that can perform the functionality specified.
The criteria for evaluation are listed below: ARC will evaluate the responses based on alignment with Agency’s goals, compliance with the announcement requirements, feasibility and suitability of the concept and its match to Ames’ interest and capabilities.
Responders must provide responses to the following:
1. Address payload, instrumentation and/or subsystem(s) mission element capabilities the responder has to offer. 2. Identify equivalent, particularly critical or challenging, areas that have been overcome in previous work. 3. Identify payload, instrumentation, and/or subsystem relevance and compliance to the applicable mission class (class A). 4. Discuss current capabilities for Integration and Test (I&T) flow for the payload(s), instrumentation, or subsystem(s). 5. Identify Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) schedules and costs for payload, instrument and/or subsystem development. 6. List the skills available to support a payload through all mission phases. 7. Identify responder’s support facilities for payload(s) e.g. fabrication, I&T, storage, etc. 8. Indicate the resources (skills and time) that could be allocated to a potential proposal development phase. 9. Indicate the location of personnel and facilities dedicated to the work.
In addition to the information requested above, the following areas are considered highly important in the evaluation of responses to this notice:
* Ability to work as part of a government-industry team that may include other industrial partners, academia, and/or foreign partners.
* Innovative technical and partnering approaches that could be used to minimize cost without increasing overall mission risk.
* Demonstrated track record of developing low-cost spaceflight instrumentation and systems on-time in a schedule-constrained environment and at the agreed upon cost.
* History of delivering payloads with proven technical and cost performance.
Also, if applicable, Depth of experience in payload management/development, including but not limited to: systems engineering, payload fabrication and test, subcontract management, quality management, safety management, materials and processes/contamination control, payload integration and test support, functional and environmental testing.
Responses should include the following: Name and address of company or organization; Point of contact – address, website or email address, and phone number; answers to the relevant questions listed above; a list of relevant partners/customers over the past five years, highlighting work performed.
Responses should also include: Size of business and number of employees; Average annual revenue for past 3 years; Ownership -whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned and whether the company is U.S. or internationally-owned; Number of years in business; and Affiliate information: parent company (US or international), joint venture partners potential teaming partners (prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed and point of contact and phone number.
If responder is a commercial firm, responses should also include: Size of business and number of employees; Average annual revenue for past 3 years; Ownership -whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned and whether the company is U.S. or internationally-owned; Number of years in business; and Affiliate information: parent company (US or international), joint venture partners potential teaming partners (prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed and point of contact and phone number.
This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html .
No solicitation exits; therefore, please do not request a copy of a solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/ARC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=21 . It is the responder’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Potential partners will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this notice and amendments, if any.
Point of Contact
Name:Timothy B. Joyce
Title:Contract Specialist
Phone:650-604-0395
Fax:650-604-0912
Email:timothy.b.joyce@nasa.gov
