NASA Solicitation: Systems Analysis Capability for NASA Independent Assessments
Synopsis – Aug 12, 2010
General Information
Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: SACD-1
Posted Date: Aug 12, 2010
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Aug 12, 2010
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Aug 26, 2010
Current Response Date: Aug 26, 2010
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001
Description
NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is hereby soliciting information with regard to potential sources for support to the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate (SACD). A complete systems design and analysis capability for conducting independent assessments is the primary capability being sought; respondents should describe the analysis and design tools used for this capability. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. One of the primary goals of this synopsis is to assist NASA Langley in determining whether a Small Business Set-aside is an acceptable strategy for this potential procurement. If a full and open competition is ultimately pursued, responses to this synopsis will be used to aid in establishing small business subcontracting goals. As no decision on a set-aside has yet been made, all qualified firms are encouraged to respond. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 541712, and the size standard under this code is 1000 employees.
Background: The Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate (SACD) is the NASA Langley organization that develops and delivers advanced concepts, systems analyses, and multidisciplinary methods in support of Agency Projects, Programs and Mission Directorates as well as for the NASA Chief Engineer and the Office of the Chief Technologist. Additional information can be found at http://sacd.larc.nasa.gov . Potential work under this solicitation would primarily support two specific branches within SACD, the Vehicle Analysis Branch and the Space Mission Analysis Branch.
The Vehicle Analysis Branch (VAB) is actively involved in supporting the Hypersonics Project within the Fundamental Aeronautics Program in the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. As part of a multi-center team, VAB supplies systems analysis support to the Hypersonics Project. This support comes in several forms including conceptual vehicle design, analysis, and optimization, technology assessment, and systems analysis related design environments and analytical tool development, verification and validation. VAB has also supported multiple programs and projects within NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate such as Ares I, Ares V, Orion and Altair from the Constellation Program as well as the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office. VAB support to these efforts has included individual discipline support such as structural analysis, flight mechanics and aerodynamic database development.
The Space Mission Analysis Branch (SMAB) engages in activities that help support the definition and refinement of the U.S. National Space Policy. As an example of recent work, SMAB led the assessment and integration of a diverse set of lunar surface architecture design configurations that aimed to yield sustainable and affordable solutions for human and robotic campaigns in support of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Directorate Integration Office (DIO) and the Constellation Program Office (CxPO) Lunar Team.. This activity included: * The definition and assessment of Level 1 and Level 2 exploration architecture requirements * The integration of the human lunar campaign concept including mission design and campaign analyses * The identification and prioritization of capability and technology needs
SMAB also actively supports the Science Mission Directorate / Space Operations Mission Directorate in design activities and provides element-level definition required for strategic campaign analysis. This capability requires the ability to define / examine the performance, cost, and risk characteristics of the systems to support development / assessment activities on robotic systems, crewed / uncrewed Vehicles, and surface Systems. SMAB also provides independent science mission analysis evaluating technical scope, trajectory analysis, orbital mechanics assessment, and feasibility of cost and schedule.
Respondents should be aware that this potential procurement is for independent assessment capabilities for space transportation, human and robotic architectures, campaign analysis, and life cycle assessments. Therefore, you are advised that any resulting solicitation will contain stringent requirements with regards to Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), non-disclosure agreements to protect sensitive and proprietary information, and limitations on future contracting. As part of the capability statements, the offeror should address its capability and willingness to comply with Organizational Conflict of Interest avoidance, including limitation on future contracting requirements.
Respondents should describe their capability to provide the following services in support of VAB:
1) A complete vehicle conceptual design/analysis capability serving either as a surge/overflow capacity to VAB capabilities or as an independent assessment capability. The scope of these tasks covers performance and life cycle analyses (including but not limited to cost, reliability, operability) of Earth to orbit (ETO) designs and related systems and/or trade studies on such designs producing deterministic and probabilistic results.
2) A technology assessment capability that can quantify the benefits of advanced technologies on vehicle performance and related figures of merit (FOMs). This effort may include the collection and compilation of technology data, development of a baseline vehicle upon which technology trades will be made, development of fast-acting surrogate models of vehicle discipline analyses to be used in probabilistic analyses, as well as the probabilistic analyses and quantification of impact to FOMs.
3) Support to help advance the development of VAB’s suite of analytical tools used to design and analyze launch vehicles and related systems. Respondents should address experience in the use and development of systems analysis tools for vehicle design.
4) In addition to providing a complete vehicle design capability for independent assessments, provide individual discipline support serving as a member of a design team in one or more of the following areas: (a) Vehicle / Configuration Design, Layout and Packaging (b) Aerodynamics and Aerothermodynamics (c) Thermal Analysis and Thermal Protection Systems (d) Propulsion Systems (e) Airframe and Engine Subsystems (f) Trajectory / Flight Mechanics (g) Vehicle Integration, Sizing and Closure (h) Life Cycle Analyses (Cost, Reliability, Operations, etc)
Respondents should describe their capability to provide the following services in support of SMAB:
1) Campaign integration and integrated performance analyses of Human and Robotic missions/architectures. This shall include independent assessments of deployment concepts, surface element manifesting options (launch vehicle manifesting and lander packaging), and sustainability/resupply requirements, as well as the updating of current models as appropriate to support the analysis needs.
2) The design and analysis of spacecraft systems and subsystems including mass estimation, assessments of engineering structures and materials for element concepts and architectures to establish system requirements for these elements. The definition of structural analysis requirements and capabilities for advanced systems analyses within the areas of modular systems and multi-functional structures, and advanced structural designs including machining, assembly, and integration with Earth-to-orbit systems considered for future space exploration missions and architectures.
3) Analytical support and conceptual trade studies for spacecraft subsystems including, but not limited to, communications, power, thermal, and propulsion subsystems for in-space, planetary descent, and planetary ascent trajectories. The utilization of “stand alone” analytical tools and existing software applications to map resource utilization to mission phases as well as analytical support for life-cycle-cost (LCC) methods and costing of mission elements for future space exploration missions and architectures as well as science/Decadal Survey missions. Affordability analysis, tool development and affordability methodology development is required.
4) The development and delivery of the analytical methods and software required to analyze, perform trade studies, archive, and visualize these concepts as well as the identification of technology performance requirements.
5) Support in the determination of system and architecture analysis requirements, assess existing SMAB capabilities and tools, and identify and implement improvements needed in those tools and capabilities in order to support space exploration mission and architecture studies utilizing near-term and advanced technologies.
Interested offerors/vendors having the required specialized capabilities to meet the above requirements should submit a capability statement of 6 pages or less (can include references to publicly available sources) indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort described above.
In addition, responses must include the following: name and address of firm, size of business; average annual revenue for past 3 years and number of employees; ownership; whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran-owned and/or woman-owned; number of years in business; affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past three years (highlight relevant work performed, contract numbers, contract type, dollar value of each procurement; and procurement and technical points of contact – address and phone number).
Technical questions should be directed to: Jeff Robinson at 757-864-3782 or Jeffrey.s.robinson@nasa.gov.
Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in FAR 2.101.
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. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.
The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All responses shall be submitted to rosemary.c.froehlich@nasa.gov by August 26, 2010. Please reference SACD-1 in any response.
Point of Contact
Name: Rosemary C. Froehlich
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 757-864-2423
Fax: 757-864-8541
Email: Rosemary.C.Froehlich@nasa.gov
