Request for Information to Identify Technology Science & Exploration System Demonstration Payloads

Synopsis – Aug 05, 2013
Modification 01 – Posted on Aug 05, 2013 
Solicitation – Posted on Aug 05, 2013 

General Information

Solicitation Number: 08052013
Posted Date: Aug 05, 2013
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Aug 05, 2013
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Aug 31, 2013
Current Response Date: Aug 31, 2013
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712

Contracting Office AddressNASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center is seeking broad community inputs from all interested parties, including Small, Small Disadvantaged (SDB), 8(a), Woman-owned (WOSB), Veteran Owned (VOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SD-VOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) businesses, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals in support of a study focused on the development of technology, science, and exploration system payload concepts for demonstration on the International Space Station (ISS). The goal of the study is to identify technology, science, and exploration system demonstrations payloads that (1) align with NASA’s mission and goals, (2) leverage MSFC’s expertise in propulsion systems, space transportation, exploration space systems, and scientific research, and (3) utilize the unique capabilities available on the ISS. MSFC is issuing this notice to identify and gather information from potential partners interested in mission-enabling science and technology development aboard the ISS that satisfy the three objectives stated above.

MSFC encourages submission of concepts that address the above objectives, make innovative use of NASA capabilities and/or anticipated commercial services, and/or incorporate innovative processes or partnership arrangements.

Based on the interest received, MSFC’s intent is to seek interested and available partners to respond to future opportunities for ISS utilization and technology development. Examples of recent opportunities included NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ13ZBG001N, “Exploration Technology Demonstration and National Lab Utilization Enhancements”, and the Second Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON-2) NNH12ZDA006O.

1.0 Background

1.1 Strategic Space Technology Investment Plan (SSTIP) In February 2013, the NASA released its draft Strategic Space Technology Investment Plan (SSTIP) – a comprehensive strategic plan that prioritizes space technologies essential to the pursuit of NASA’s mission and achievement of national goals. The SSTIP was created following development of a series of agency draft Space Technology Roadmaps. After careful review of the roadmaps by the National Research Council (NRC), with input from the public and key stakeholders, NASA finalized this new investment plan. It provides guidance for NASA’s space technology investments during the next four years, within the context of a 20-year horizon. The draft SSTIP is available for download here: NASA Strategic Space Technology Investment Plan (http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/home/sstip.html )

1.2 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center NASA MSFC plays a lead role in engineering, designing, developing, integrating, and testing complex rocket, spacecraft, and science instruments that enable exploration and scientific discovery. MSFC scientists and engineers are preparing the way for human and robotic excursions to points all across the solar system, and developing robust science missions to further our understanding of our planet and our universe. All these efforts contribute to enabling and preparing the way for long-term, high-value research and discovery missions in deep space and to creating real benefits for the people of Earth. NASA MSFC has a rich history in successfully managing instrument and payload development. From the Apollo Skylab mission to the Space Shuttle/Spacelab experiments to today’s International Space Station instruments and payloads, MSFC continues to provide the necessary research and technology required for future space missions.

2.0 Information Sought

NASA is seeking information from all interested parties who have concepts for practical and cost effective experiments or demonstrations that utilize the ISS as a platform or test bed for scientific investigation or the demonstration of new, advanced or improved technologies, in-space capabilities, and exploration systems that lay the technical foundation for future NASA missions.

The MSFC is considering mission-enabling ISS payloads in four principal areas. A thorough, though not exhaustive, list of high-priority technologies are identified for each principal area. 1. Propulsion Systems • Propellant Storage and Transfer • In-space Propulsion • Micro-Propulsion • Active Control of Cryogenic Systems 2. Space Transportation • Small Body/Microgravity Mobility • Communication and Navigation 3. Space Systems • Radiation Protection Systems • Radiation Prediction • Radiation Mitigation • Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) Waste Management • Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) Water Recovery and Management • In-Space Manufacturing and Repair 4. Scientific Research • Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems • Physical Science

3.0 Instructions for Submissions

All submissions must be received no later than 4:00 PM Central Standard Time on August 31, 2013. Prospective offerors are invited to submit written comments or questions to Michael R. Sosebee, Contracting Officer, 256-544-0415 or via electronic transmission at email-michael.r.sosebee@nasa.gov, and the following points of contacts: Technical questions and/or questions of a general nature should be directed to ghee.fry@nasa.gov. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. The subject line of the submission should include “PAYLOADS RFI”. Attachments should be in PDF format, except for the 4-quadrant summary chart described below. The body of the email message should identify a point-of-contact and provide his or her name, address, telephone numbers, and email address.

Responses must be received by the due date above and shall not exceed a total of five pages with one-inch margin. Font size shall be no smaller than 12-point type and table and graphics font size must be easily readable. The 5-page requirement shall include a concept description and a 4-quadrant summary chart. Included is an example of a 4-quadrant summary chart. Please complete the indicated fields and provide the 4-quadrant summary chart in Microsoft PowerPoint format as a separate attachment. The PowerPoint slide will not count against the 5-page limitation.

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.

This RFI synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. Respondents will not be notified of the results.

An Ombudsman has been appointed- See NASA Clause 1852.215-84. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html . Any potential solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The internet site, or URL, for the NASA/MSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=62 . It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Internet cite for the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments, if any.