NASA Solicitation: Space Exploration Technologies and Systems
Synopsis – Jul 08, 2005
General Information
Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: 8-SETS-1
Posted Date: Jul 08, 2005
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jul 08, 2005
Original Response Date: Jul 25, 2005
Current Response Date: Jul 25, 2005
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541710 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Contracting Office Address
NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Description
This is a notice of our intent to award a contract on a noncompetitve basis to the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) for the following services.
a) Concept Development – Research, development, prototyping, engineering design, and studies of technologies (e.g., sensors, instrumentation, devices, materials, technology, displays, and informatics) necessary to survive, acquire data, and perform required functions in the lunar, planetary, and space environments.
b) Systems Engineering and Analysis – Systems engineering activities essential to defining problems and requirements, assessing or devising technical approaches and concepts, and developing baselines (e.g., models, architectures, specifications) useful for continued development and/or integration. This includes performing bench marking and evaluation activities such as critical experiments, analyses, simulations, trade studies, and tests.
c) Advanced Engineering Development – Development, fabrication, and deployment of advanced prototype flight hardware.
d) Project Management Assistance – Oversight, assessment, and assistance to NASA program management and contractors engaged in research, development, fabrication, launch processing, operational deployment, and sustaining engineering activities relating to space exploration.
e) Basic and Applied Research – Research and development necessary to acquire a fundamental understanding of lunar surface and subsurface constituents, terrain features, and characteristics of the lunar environment. Research and development necessary to acquire a fundamental understanding of similar attributes of celestial bodies being considered for exploration.
The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3), to maintain essential engineering, research, and development capability to be provided by an educational or other non-profit institution. More specifically, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center requires that the essential NASA-related capabilities established at JHU/APL be maintained as authorized in FAR 6.302-3(b)(2)(ii). Specific expertise resident at JHU/APL in the development of precision space navigation and communication systems, and the application of that expertise in the development of navigation and communication infrastructure systems in the form of prototype small, mini, and micro-satellites is essential to successful accomplishment of the NASA exploration mission. JHU/APL’s status as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) gives it a unique and trusted standing within the industry, and allows JHU/APL to function as an extension of a program or project office in providing oversight and problem solving capability in conjunction with traditional aerospace contractors in a manner that ensures the best interests of the government and the contractors are protected. In addition, the JHU/APL’s expertise in lunar science investigation provides an essential component to future expeditions to the lunar environment. It is intended that lunar navigation and communication infrastructure assets be designed in consonance with scientific exploration initiatives by accommodating the requirements of scientific payloads and experiments. The synergistic development of exploration infrastructure and accomplishment of scientific investigation on and around the lunar surface is a prominent tenet of future systems development.
These services are not available elsewhere in a UARC or Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) environment in their entirety and, while not quantifiable, could not be duplicated without substantial investment of effort and other resources over a period of years. The essential capabilities sought to be maintained include JHU/APL’s ability to provide independent evaluation required by NASA while at the same time working closely with industry, including the transition of the technology to industry.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) local time on July 25, 2005. Such capabilities/qualifications will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. If responding to this synopsis, interested firms should address the following capabilities as related to the desired services described in items a through e. Responses should be thorough, but succinct.
1. Experience in acting as a “trusted agent” of the government that would not be viewed as a competitor to contractors engaged in a traditional contractual relationship with NASA. The trusted agent would act on behalf of NASA in the development of requirements and provide insight/oversight of traditional contractors.
2. Facilities and personnel, including facilities clearance and personnel clearances, to conduct analyses and develop systems classified as Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmental Information, and to work with other government agencies and contractors engaged in classified work.
3. Demonstrated capability to rapidly conceive, develop, fabricate, and operate advanced technology prototype spacecraft systems.
4. Demonstrated expertise in the development of precision space navigation and communication infrastructure.
5. Scientific expertise specific to exploration of the lunar environment and is the firm recognized as a leader in this field within the larger scientific community.
6. Relevant organizational structure, locations, and major technical capabilities as related to this activity.
7. Cost, schedule, and performance history of comparable work.
8. Experience in the use of successful Earned Value Management (EVM) systems including a statement of government certification that your system is compliant with NASA or DoD EVM system criteria.
Responses received after the due date will be considered nonresponsive to this synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract on a full and open competition basis based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit a response which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note “B”.
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Name: Wayne T. Harmon
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: (256) 544-5336
Fax: (256) 544-3223
Email: wayne.harmon@msfc.nasa.gov
Name: George E. Harvey
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: (256) 544-0406
Fax: (256) 544-6488
Email: george.harvey@msfc.nasa.gov
