MODIFICATION
A -- HEAVY LAUNCH AND PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY
- Notice Date
- 5/4/2010
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall SpaceFlight Center, AL 35812
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- RFI05042010PS40
- Response Due
- 5/21/2010
- Archive Date
- 5/4/2011
- Point of Contact
- Melinda E. Dodson, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-961-7454, Fax 256-961-7524, Email Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Melinda E. Dodson
(Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a modification to the synopsis/RFI entitled HEAVY LAUNCH AND PROPULSIONTECHNOLOGY Request for Information (RFI) (Reference Number: RFI05042010PS40 which wasposted on May 4, 2010]. Due to an error made at posting the RFI is hereby revised asfollows:Heavy Lift Launch System and Propulsion TechnologyRequest for Information (RFI)I. Background/ObjectiveNASA has requirements for heavy lift launch to extend human and robotic presencethroughout the solar system. NASA desires to enable exploration of multiple potentialdestinations, including the Moon, asteroids, Lagrange points, and Mars and its environsin the most cost effective and safe manner.NASA is in the planning phase to develop strategies for enabling a heavy lift launchsystem. At the same time, NASA desires to develop liquid chemical propulsion technologiesto support a more affordable and robust space transportation industry.This approach will strengthen Americas space industry, and could provide a catalyst forfuture business ventures to capitalize on affordable access to space. It will alsoleverage a broader range of American ingenuity to keep our nation onthe leading edge of human space exploration capabilities.II. Market ResearchIndustry involvement early in the development phase is essential for NASA to formulate astrategy to meet the national objectives of enabling heavy lift systems and developingpropulsion technologies that are both affordable and used bymultiple customers. Any resulting acquisition approach will utilize these guidingprinciples:a. Focus on affordability and low development and recurring costsb. Maximize competitionc. Satisfy multiple users inside and outside of NASAd. Apply the appropriate set of performance measures and incentives.e. Leverage existing industry programs.f. Review all requirements from a zero-based approach.g. Maximize the use of small businessesIII. InputsUsing the information above with the overall goal is to provide heavy lift systems andpropulsion technologies that are both safe and affordable and will serve multiplecustomers. NASA is inviting industry, academia, Internationals and other non-Governmentresearch organizations to provide inputs in the following specific areas:1. Propulsion Systemsa. Provide information regarding your potential launch or spacetransportation architectures (expendable, reusable, or a hybrid system) that could meetmultiple customer needs (e.g., NASA, DoD, and Commercial). Describe potential referencemissions. Describe the engine or engines required to meet your requirements to includethose for different stages and potential in-space utilization. Outline known developmentefforts and technology insertion; sharing of information, sharing of facilities; etc.b. For vehicle providers, provide your top-level requirements including: operability andaffordability (low life cycle cost); safety (minimize catastrophic failures, loss ofvehicle, etc.), and performance (thrust, ISP, throttle range if any, mass to LEO/GTO,etc.), both current and future upgrade plans. Provide rationale as to how theserequirements were derived.c. Identify strategies to lower propulsion system costs and improve operability includingoverhead; improved manufacturing processes; lower staffing; and elimination/tailoring ofspecific Government requirements.d. Describe methods to effectively manage to a lower per production unit cost (forexample, lot buys, design to cost, cost incentive structures, non-traditional businessarrangements, anticipated business, sensitivity to business base, etc.).e. Describe how you would leverage any existing efforts to include hardware, designs,analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedules.f. Describe potential acquisition strategies for enabling development of large propulsionsystems and pros and cons of the strategies.2. Basic Propulsion Researcha. Provide general areas where you believe gaps exist in liquid chemical propulsiontechnologies that could lead to breakthroughs in mission affordability and capability.Liquid chemical propulsion technologies include discipline-focused research into suchthings as materials, manufacturing, combustion processes, propellant chemistry, and otherpropulsion system elements (such as tanks, valves, feed lines, and health management).Identify strategies for insertion of these technologies in new propulsion systems andalso how to make them available to the Industry for multiple applications.b. Describe methods to effectively manage the strategies for technology insertions,including non-traditional business arrangements.c. Identify how you would plan to bring existing mid-level Technology Readiness Levels(TRLs) to operational levels at an affordable cost through test programs, grounddemonstrations, and flight demonstrations.d. Describe how you would envision working with multiple customers (including DoD, NASA,and commercial) to identify top priority technologies and their associated payoffs.e. Describe approaches for utilizing the unique capabilities of our nations colleges anduniversities in addressing technology gaps, including identification of gaps theseacademic institutions may be uniquely qualified to address. Discussion may include avision for the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers in thespace launch propulsionarena through outreach, partnerships, and direct involvement in the technology program.f. Describe how you would leverage any existing efforts to include hardware, designs,analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedule. Identify any existingassets in which you require or obtain benefit to support the technology maturation in atimely, affordable, and efficientmanner.3. Program and Business ManagementNASA is seeking Industry inputs into methods to manage these programs to includeeffective and affordable business practices.a. Describe processes for the overall management of the program to most effectivelydevelop propulsion systems and technologies.b. How would you propose to participate in systems analysis andassessments?c. How would you propose to serve in an advisory capacity for the program providing inputon content and objectives and evaluation of performance and results?d. Identify barriers to competition and mitigation strategies.e. Discuss procurement approaches to include alternative businessarrangements.f. Discuss effective methods of utilizing international partnerships while maintainingappropriate safeguards for U.S. developed technologies.g. Recommend process improvements and efficiencies, both in theacquisition phase as well as the performance phase, along withidentification of non-value added steps and requirements.IV. SummaryThe information obtained will be used by NASA for planning and acquisition strategydevelopment. NASA will use the information obtained as a result of this RFI on anon-attribution basis. Providing data and information that is limited orrestricted for use by NASA for that purpose would be of very little value and suchrestricted/limited data/information is not solicited. No information or questionsreceived will be posted to any website or public access location. NASA does notplan to respond to the individual responses, but will provide an update to developmentand acquisition plans.This RFI is being used to obtain information for planning purposes only. The Governmentdoes not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for theinformation solicited. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e),responses to this notice are not considered offers, shall not be used as a proposal, andcannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Inputs shall becompliant with all legal and regulatory requirements concerninglimitations on export controlled items.All responses should be provided in MS Word document format via electronic media. Fontshould be Times New Roman, size 12. Responses should not exceed 50 pages total. Responsesare requested to be submitted in Microsoft Office products in a user friendly environmentto facilitate review. One hard copyand 3 CDs or DVDs are requested.This RFI will be issued and posted from Marshall Space Flight Center. Please submitresponses no later than May 21, 2010, to NASA/MSFC Office of Procurement, Attn:PS52/Melinda E Dodson, Contracting Officer, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 or viae-mail at melinda.e.dodson@nasa.gov. Additional questions should also be provided to Melinda E Dodson via e-mail.An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note 'B'.The due date for responses is not extended.Documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. Thesedocuments will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWWbrowser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/MSFC Business Opportunitieshome page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=62
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