Sources Sought Notice: Advanced Chemical Propulsion for In Space Applications
General Information
- Document Type: Sources Sought Notice
- Solicitation Number: RFI-8-1500303
- Posted Date: Feb 28, 2003
- Original Response Date: Mar 28, 2003
- Original Archive Date: Feb 28, 2004
- Current Archive Date:
- Classification Code: A — Research & Development
Contracting Office Address
NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Description
THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION. IT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI).
NASA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this synopsis. This document is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as promote competition. Prospective offerors are invited to submit comments or questions to the identified point of contact, no later than March 28, 2003.
NASA/MSFC is seeking ideas and information from potential offerors on the development of chemical propulsion technologies. MSFC’s particular interest is information or ideas that address the challenges and issues that advance these technologies from their current state to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. This request is not for information concerning flight demonstrations, technologies beyond TRL 6 or at development stages less than TRL 3. It is requested that the potential offeror provide a self-assessment of performance, schedule, and system goals for the chemical propulsion technology. Research conducted by the In-Space Propulsion Investment Area is at the forefront of NASA’s efforts to seek new means of enabling faster and more cost efficient missions to the outer planets. Advanced propulsion technologies are being developed to contend with NASA’s unique challenges of enabling missions with fast access throughout the solar system and the ability to rendezvous with, orbit and conduct in situ exploration of planets, satellites and small bodies.
The sought information is for the advanced chemical propulsion technology area as follows: Chemical propulsion systems have historically been baseline for primary propulsion and other phases of planetary missions. Advanced storable propellants and/or advanced thrusters, with higher Isp than current systems, may offer significant performance improvements benefits for a range of aggressive planetary missions. Cryogenic propellants may offer similar improvements. The challenges associated with cryogenic propellant utilization include the control of propellant boil-off so that the system is not penalized by the additional propellant mass required to accommodate typical boil-off conditions. Lightweight or optimized components, resulting in improved propellant system propellant mass fraction, also may offer significant improvements.
Only United States companies/citizens are requested to respond to this announcement. Interested parties should submit information not to exceed three pages (per technology area) and a maximum of two resumes (not to exceed two pages each). The format is at the discretion of the potential offeror.
All proprietary information should be marked. Any responses, questions, comments, ideas and/or information regarding this announcement should be directed to the Marlyce R. Alexander via electronic transmission or by facsimile transmission. In responding, please reference RFI-8-1500303. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited.
Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. An ombudsman has been appointed — See NASA Specific Note “B”. The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office 97 format and 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?group=C&pin=62 It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Internet cite for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments, if any. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html
Original Point of Contact
Marlyce E. Alexander, Contract Specialist, Phone (256) 544-8344, Fax (256) 544-6062, Email marlyce.alexander@msfc.nasa.gov – Cynthia B. Hollingsworth, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-1656, Fax (256) 544-6062, Email cynthia.hollingsworth@msfc.nasa.gov
Email your questions to Marlyce E. Alexander at marlyce.alexander@msfc.nasa.gov
