SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- NOTICE OF PARTNERING OPPORTUNITY WITH NASA GRC FOR THE PLANETARY INSTRUMENTDEFINITION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
- Notice Date
- 7/29/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135
- ZIP Code
- 44135
- Solicitation Number
- NNC11ZMA003L
- Response Due
- 8/15/2011
- Archive Date
- 7/29/2012
- Point of Contact
- Mark J Hyatt, Engineer/Project Manager, Phone 216-433-3248, Fax 216-433-8000, Email mark.j.hyatt@nasa.gov - Ernest C. Mensurati, Contracting Officer, Phone 216-433-2727, Fax 216-433-2480, Email Ernest.C.Mensurati@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Mark J Hyatt
(mark.j.hyatt@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NASA/GRC is hereby soliciting information about potential partnering opportunitiesfor the purpose of openly soliciting a partner to assist in the preparation of a proposalwith NASAS GRC for the PLANETARY INSTRUMENT DEFINITION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, to besubmitted to NASA Headquarters. PREFACEThe NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) seeks partners for proposal development in responseto Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2011, Solicitation:NNH11ZDA001N, C.16 Planetary Instrument Definition and Development. This Notice ofPartnering Opportunity (NPO) seeks potential partners to participate in a proposaldevelopment activity that addresses the definition and development of scientificinstruments to characterizing the near-surface soil mechanics properties and providinggeophysics and prospecting data of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), the Moon, Mars, orPhobos. The offeror(s) chosen will participate directly as a member of the proposalteam in the various stages of the instrument definition, design, technology developmentand integration, and the proposal process.SECTION 1 INTRODUCTIONGENERAL INFORMATIONThe Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP) supports theadvancement of spacecraft-based instrument technology that shows promise for use inscientific investigations on future planetary missions. The goal of the program is not todevelop flight- qualified hardware, but rather to define and develop scientificinstruments or components of such instruments to the point where the instruments may beproposed in response to future announcements of flight opportunity without additionalextensive technology development. Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program Status: The Appendix C.16Announcement of Opportunity (AO) was released, as amended, on June 10, 2011. http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={AEF75D0F-2272-7DE7-D52A-295B47C8F5CF}&path=openThe Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program has contributed to thedevelopment of flight hardware flown on, or selected for, many of NASAs planetarymissions. The proposed instrument technology must address specific scientific objectivesof likely future science missions. More information on the Earth Venture project isavailable athttp://science.nasa.gov/about-us/smd-programs/earth-system-science-pathfinder/PURPOSE OF NOTICEThe GRC planetary instrument team is issuing this Notice of Partnering Opportunity forthe purpose of openly soliciting an instrument partner to assist in the preparation of aPIDDP proposal to be submitted to NASA HQ. This open and competitive process is beingconducted in accordance with NASA FAR Supplement 1872.308. By this Notice, the GRC teamis seeking information from partners regarding their availability, capabilities, pastperformance, and anticipated development costs that relate to planetary scienceinstruments, technologies and capabilities for the PIDDP AO. This Notice also authorizesNASA GRC to award contracts to its selected spacecraft partner without furthercompetition or justification, should the proposal be selected.This partnering opportunity is being issued to select a teaming partner for the GRCplanetary instrument technology development and integration, and to support the teamthroughout the instrument definition and development. The offeror(s) chosen willparticipate directly as a member of the proposal team in the various stages of theinstrument design and proposal process.PARTICIPATIONParticipation in this partnering synopsis is open to all categories of U.S. and non-U.S.organizations, including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit institutions,the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as NASA Centers and other U.S. GovernmentAgencies. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Other MinorityUniversities (OMUs), small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs)(8a), veteran-owned smallbusinesses, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses,and women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) are encouraged to apply. Participation bynon-U.S. organizations is welcome but subject to NASAs policy of no exchange of funds, inwhich each government supports its own national participants and associated costs.SECTION 2 SCOPEOVERVIEWThis Notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into acontract. This Notice is subject to revision or cancellation at any time.Based on the responses to this Notice, GRC anticipates selecting one or multipleinstrument suppliers with which GRC would then immediately work directly with indevelopment of the multifunctional cone penetrometer. During the proposal developmentphase, more specific roles and cost estimates for the selected partners will bedeveloped. If the GRC instrument proposal is selected, GRC intends to negotiate withoutfurther competition or justification, a contract with the proposal partner, consistentwith their agreed upon role and this Notice. During these contract negotiations, thespecific statement of work, contract terms and conditions, and contract value will beformalized. There will be no exchange of funds between NASA and the selected partner for the GRCplanetary instrument proposal development. That is, NASA will not be responsible for anycosts incurred by respondents in preparing a response to this Notice or by the selectedpartner in preparation of the GRC planetary instrument proposal.DETAILS OF THE OPPORTUNITYGRC Planetary Instrument Schedule: Schedule: The following schedule describes the major milestones for the Earth Ventureproposal.AO release (amended):June 10, 2011Proposals Due:August 26, 2011Selection Announced:NASA Fiscal Year 2012ATP:Six months after proposal due datePre-selection proposal supportThe potential partner shall provide support using their own resources.This willinvolve:Weekly telecom meetings with the science and engineering teamHelping to define the end-to-end performance requirements, including instrumentinterfaces and technology developments, etc.Identifying study topics, prediction performance, and conducting trade studiesCost estimation for all proposal phasesPreparation of the instrument proposal for submittal to NASA Updates to technical, cost and schedule inputs as required for integrated proposalsubmittalIt is expected that the selected partner would provide (at no cost to NASA), conceptualdesigns, technical data, proposal inputs, schedule and cost estimates consistent with theproposal AO when released.PLANTARY INSTRUMENT Multi Functional Cone PenetrometerThe offeror shall propose an instrument (or subsystem thereof) capable of characterizingthe near-surface soil mechanics properties and providing geophysics and prospecting dataof near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), the Moon, Mars, or Phobos. This instrument, amultifunction cone penetrometer, will provide data to reduce risk, improve theoperability, and reduce the end-to-end mission cost of design and verification testing ofregolith-interacting mechanical systems for extraterrestrial surface operations. Sciencerequirements derived from prior NASA studies explicitly discuss surface penetration, inpart to characterize surface composition. The GRC instrument team seeks to develop a conepenetrometer (CP) to accomplish soil mechanics characterization goals, and willincorporate additional functions. This larger goal is accomplished by developing asmall-scale multifunction CP that integrates the full suite of currently developedterrestrial CP functions. This multifunction CP will provide geotechnical, geophysical,and resource prospecting data in a single compact package. Proposers should addresstechnical innovations required in measurement functions, and drive and anchoringmechanisms. In particular, integration of stress, shear modulus, and temperature sensingin a compact cone package are sought. Innovative approaches to self-anchoring mechanicaldevices and drive mechanisms enabling light weight, compact instrument packaging aresought. The plan should also identify major milestones and facilities available for assemblingand testing each component. SECTION 3 RESPONSES TO NOTICEThe evaluation team will use the following factors in selection and award. Thegovernment will evaluate the submitted proposal based on these factors that are listed inorder of importance:a.Technical capability: Offeror(s) will be evaluated on the approach for design,development, integration, and test of the proposed instrument innovations. The approachto infusion of instrument technology developments will be of primary importance.b.Relevant experience, past performance, and availability of key personnel: Thiscriterion evaluates the offerors relevant recent experience, past performance in similardevelopment activities, and key personnel available to support the development. Capability includes quality and management process certifications and systems.c.Cost and Schedule: Offerors will be evaluated on cost and schedule performance onsimilar development activities. Proposals will be evaluated on the affordability oftheir approach, and the overall probable cost, including the offerors willingness toshare cost risk. Top-level schedules will be evaluated as to the overall approach and tovalidate their reasonableness and risk. This criterion also evaluates the offerors ontheir resources commitment and ability to control both cost and schedule. d.Facilities: Offerors will be evaluated on the appropriateness of design and modelingcapabilities to support the effort, and appropriateness and accessibility of fabricationand testing facilities to support the effort. This criterion also evaluates theofferors facilities (development, integration, testing and analyses) to conduct theproposed effort.e.Proposal Preparation: Offerors will be evaluated on their prior proposal preparationexperience, and willingness to commit resources (skills and time) that would support theproposal phase.NASA GRC anticipates completing its evaluation and selection process by August 17, 2011. Selected partners will be contacted directly by the GRC project manager or managementsponsor to develop the proposal. At that time, GRC may ask for supplemental informationto your proposal. At a minimum, non-selected firms will be notified and provided thebasis for the selection decisions.All proposals will be treated as proprietary information and controlled as such.RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONSThe response is limited to a 40 page Powerpoint presentation that fully addresses theevaluation criteria in not less than 12-point font, submitted as an electronic PDFdocument. Excluded from the page count are the cover letter, title pages, table ofcontents, resumes, and an acronym list. Offerors are free to attach additionalappendices that further describe their capabilities. However, only the required 40Powerpoint pages will be evaluated for selection.The offerors proposals are due to NASA GRC no later than 5 p.m. EDT on August 15, 2011. Any responses received after this time and date will be handled as late proposals inaccordance with FAR 15.208.Responses to this Notice must be submitted in the form of an email. A response on compact disk can be submitted by mail or hand-carried, which includesdelivery by courier services to the following address:NASA Glenn Research CenterAttn: Ernest Mensurati MS 60-121000 Brookpark RdCleveland, OH 44135The written offer package shall include discussion of the following:The approaches for supporting PIDDP proposalThe approach for design, development, integration, and test of the proposed instrument. Identification of major subcontractors and suppliers. Planned for use of facilitiesincluding Government furnished facilities, The demonstration of a clear understanding of the technical challenges for theinstrument.Address instrument requirementsIdentification of major design and development risksAny unique capabilities, facilities, or experience with this type of instrumentA rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate, schedule, and a draft top level WorkBreakdown Structure (WBS).The proposal structure shall indicate implementation in accordance with NASA ProceduralRequirements (NPR) 7120.8 NID, NASA Research and Technology Program and ProjectManagement Requirements with the understanding that an update of cost, schedule andtechnical inputs may be necessary as part of the proposal development process.Additionally, the proposal shall:Discuss relevant experience, past performance, technical capability and availability ofkey personnel.Provide substantive evidence of successful participation in similardevelopments.Include originally proposed costs and schedules of similar developments and actual costsof the same with rationale explaining variances.Provide a proposed contract in either a fixed price or cost reimbursable environment andindicate the cost risk associated with either arrangement.Provide estimated cost breakdown at the major subsystem level. Also describe theofferors cost estimating methodology, whether it is based on parametric cost estimating,history of similar activities, or a bottoms-up estimating process.Provide names, telephone numbers, and email addresses for the principal technical pointof contact (POC) and contracting POC for work done on similar development activities.Discuss facility availability, access and the ability to meet the proposed objectives.Identify the pertinent mission for which you have provided proposal writing support andmission support beyond Phase A. Provide data on scope of the design, the role that youplayed in the proposal process, the portions of the proposal you have written or providedassistance in writing, and a customer reference POC.COMMUNICATIONSQUESTIONSAll questions pertaining to this Notice must be submitted to Jane M. Cochran,jane.m.cochran@nasa.gov via email. Responses to the questions will be posted on thesolicitation page.COMMUNICATION RESTRICTIONSGRC will impose local restrictions on communications regarding this notice and theprocessing of responses. All communications with potential respondents will berestricted to the technical and procurement points of contact identified in the synopsisof this Notice.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELEASESIt is the responsibility of potential respondents to monitor the NASA AcquisitionInternet Service (NAIS), GRC Procurement site for any further information concerning thisNotice.Evaluators of proposals, which are submitted under this process, may include non-USGovernment personnel (i.e. the Principal Investigator). Therefore, proposers are herebyon notice that proposals submitted hereunder may be released outside the Government, butshall be released solely for the purpose of evaluation of proposals as part of thisselection process. All proposers acknowledge acceptance of this condition by thesubmittal of their proposals.
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