SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR STRATEGIC AND ACQUISITION STRATEGY PLANNING FORTHE COMMERCIAL SUPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY PROJECT AND LOW BOOM FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION
- Notice Date
- 6/2/2015
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 12, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton,VA 23681-0001
- ZIP Code
- 23681-0001
- Solicitation Number
- LOWBOOM-20160602
- Response Due
- 7/7/2015
- Archive Date
- 6/2/2016
- Point of Contact
- William Cann, Contract Specialist, Phone 757-864-2254, Fax 757-864-6641, Email william.f.cann@nasa.gov - Roberta I Keeter, Contracting Officer, Phone 757-864-2521, Fax 757-864-6966, Email Roberta.I.Keeter@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
William Cann
(william.f.cann@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Purpose of the RFI: This RFI has twofold intent. Firstly, NASA is seeking input from the Aerospace Research and Development community on NASAs strategic direction for its Commercial Supersonic Technology (CST) Project. Secondly, NASA is seeking specific information related to acquisition strategy for one element of the CST Project, a potential Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD). This information will help shape NASAs future plans and priorities for the CST Project and proposed LBFD. Programmatic Overview: NASAs Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) strategy is guided by six Strategic Thrusts identified in response to three overarching global mega-drivers that will, in large part, shape the needs of aeronautical research in the coming years as described in the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (ARMD SIP) ( http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov /strategic-plan.htm ). This Request for Information (RFI) focuses on Strategic Thrust 2: Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft. In the near term (2015-25), Strategic Thrust 2 outlines the ARMD objective of enabling the establishment of a standard for acceptable overland supersonic flight, in cooperation with international standards organizations. ARMD will develop and validate analysis tools and technologies intended to enable the design and development of supersonic aircraft with low sonic boom. In the longer term (2025-35), ARMD will continue research on technologies required to meet the desired boom level in larger aircraft, but will also conduct research in areas related to other challenges to successful supersonic transports. This research will include the development and validation of technologies and tools to reduce propulsion emissions and noise affecting the airport community. Additional research will address airframe, propulsion, structural and aeroelastic efficiency for low boom supersonic aircraft. CST Project Research Themes and Technical Challenges: The CST Project provides the research and leadership to achieve ARMDs objectives in Strategic Thrust 2. ARMD has formed Research Themes that support the desired outcomes for this strategic thrust (see ARMD SIP link above). Within these Research Themes, the project focuses a majority of its research on certain key Technical Challenges that are viewed as enabling to the Strategic Thrust 2 near-term outcomes. The current Technical Challenges are: 1) Low Sonic Boom Design Tools - tools and technologies enabling the design of supersonic aircraft that reduce sonic boom noise to 80 PLdB validated as ready for application in a flight demonstrator; 2) Sonic Boom Community Response Metric and Methodologies - validated field study methodologies including indoor and outdoor noise metrics, survey tools and test protocols to support community studies with a demonstrator aircraft and 3) Low Noise Propulsion for Low Boom Aircraft - design tools and innovative concepts for integrated supersonic propulsion systems with noise levels of 10 EPNdB less than FAR 36 Stage 4 demonstrated in ground test. Concurrent with these efforts, the CST Project is conducting concept studies and research to inform the decision process regarding LBFD. The overarching objectives of LBFD are defined as the flight validation of design tools and technologies applicable to low sonic boom aircraft and creation of community response data supporting the development of a noise-based standard for supersonic overland flight. To date, an LBFD concept formulation study has been completed, and a concept refinement study is ongoing. Low-Boom Flight Demonstration: The LBFD aircraft is envisioned as a subscale research aircraft that creates a shaped sonic boom signature with a loudness level of 75 PLdB or less during supersonic cruise (Mach ≥ 1.4) flight. This sonic boom ground signature must be traceable to a larger civil supersonic airliner. The cruise performance of the aircraft must allow it to perform a minimum of two supersonic overflight passes over a single community in one flight with passes that are nominally 50 miles in length, and a minimum of 20 minutes apart. The LBFD Project and potential follow-on activities are envisioned as three distinct phases. Phase 1 (Years 1-4) includes the LBFD aircraft development activities from design through fabrication, concluding with functional checkouts and supersonic envelope expansion. NASA anticipates being a significant participant in this phase. NASA support may include in-flight and ground systems, instrumentation and operations; simulation; wind tunnel testing and safety and mission assurance. NASA may also supply aircraft components and systems as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) whenever feasible and considered to add value to the development of the LBFD aircraft. In Phase 2 (Year 5), a NASA-led team will perform low-boom acoustic validation flights of the LBFD aircraft in NASAs Dryden Aeronautical Test Range to characterize atmospheric effects on the shaped sonic boom ground signature carpet by measuring near-field, mid-field, far-field and ground signatures from the LBFD aircraft. Phase 2 will conclude with an initial community response overflight study involving communities near NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center. The purpose of this study will be validation of the community test design and to explore acceptance of low-boom noise. As in past similar studies, NASA envisions significant opportunities for collaboration with industry and academia, both domestic and international, during both elements of this phase. For Phase 3 (Year 5+), a NASA-led team will conduct low-boom community response overflight studies with multiple test campaigns using the LBFD aircraft over varied locations. Studies may include multiple deployments over a 2-year period to capture a representative spectrum of communities, geography and meteorological conditions across the United States. The primary data from these studies would be community response, with limited aircraft, ground and meteorological observations. Like Phase 2, this phase is envisioned to offer numerous collaboration opportunities. The ultimate goal of these studies will be to develop a low-boom community response database that will be provided to the FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). Response Details: NASA will consider all technical and cost collaboration opportunities (both domestic and international organizations) and acquisition strategies available to implement the CST Project and proposed LBFD. This RFI is seeking strategic information, collaboration opportunities and technical inputs required to assist in the formulation of an acquisition strategy that includes determining the most desirable methods for performing collaborative research, including technical/cost sharing with industry via cooperative agreements, FAR-based contracts, and other agreements. Interested parties are requested to respond to either or both topic Sections outlined below. Section 1 - Strategic Planning for CST/LBFD Projects NASAs Strategic Implementation plan defines near- and long-term outcomes for Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft. The CST project has defined Research Themes and Technical Challenges that will contribute to these outcomes. 1.1 Does your organization agree with the outcomes, research themes and technical challenges that NASA has defined? If you agree, please provide a brief statement that addresses how the outcomes align with your organizations strategy. If not, please provide a brief statement on what other near-term objectives, themes, challenges and/or prioritizations your organization recommends that NASA should consider. 1.2 Given your recommendations, does your organization agree with NASAs assessment that overcoming the barriers to low-noise sonic boom aircraft development and the prohibition against commercial supersonic overland flight via a Low-Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) is the next logical step to a achieving a commercial supersonic aircraft? If you agree, please provide a brief statement that addresses how the LBFD aligns with your organizations strategy. If not, please provide a brief statement on what your organization recommends are the next logical steps. 1.3 Provide a brief statement expressing your organizations position on NASAs leadership role and recommended collaborations and roles with industry and academia in achieving CSTs current Technical Challenges and planning and conducting an LBFD. Provide a brief statement on a) how your organization plans align with and might support NASAs vision for Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft (including NASA near and long-term outcomes) and b) how your organization would proceed if NASA did not conduct its planned research contribution to this vision. 1.4 Assuming successful achievement of NASAs Strategic Thrust 2 near-term outcome and the possibility of supersonic overland flight, provide a brief statement expressing your organizations view of the economic impact of this achievement to your organization and larger domestic and international markets. Section 2 - Acquisition Strategy Planning for Proposed LBFD Project Interested parties are invited to respond to any or all of the following LBFD Phases: 2.1 Phase 1 Aircraft (X-Plane) Development. Industry collaboration and participation through cost-sharing or in-kind cost or technical contributions is highly desirable, but not required. NASA will also consider any specific cost saving measures as long as the basic mission and airworthiness certification requirements are not compromised. 2.1.1 Describe the technical capabilities and concepts that your organization can provide to meet the requirements outlined for LBFD Phase 1. 2.1.2 Recommend any modifications to the overall LBFD goals or plans that would have a positive technical/cost impact or enhance LBFD collaboration opportunities. 2.1.3 List, in order of preference, acquisition mechanisms and types that would best implement this phase of the LBFD effort. 2.1.4 Where applicable, describe cost sharing goals and collaboration opportunities 2.1.5 Intellectual Property (IP) Rights - describe IP rights challenges and/or contributions by your organization that would be provided with less than unlimited or unrestricted rights. Also identify any contributions that may be provided with unlimited or unrestricted rights. 2.2 Phase 2 Low Boom Acoustic Validation Flights Opportunities for collaboration with industry and academia will be considered. Participation through cost-sharing, or in-kind cost or technical contributions on a non-reimbursable basis is highly desirable, but not required. Describe the technical capabilities that your organization can provide to meet the requirements outlined for LBFD Phase 2. For Phase 2, respond to the same items requested in 2.1.1 through 2.1.5. 2.3 Phase 3 Low Boom Community Response Overflight Studies - Opportunities for collaboration with industry and academia will be considered. Participation through cost-sharing, or in-kind cost or technical contributions on a non-reimbursable basis is highly desirable, but not required. Describe the technical capabilities that your organization can provide to meet the requirements outlined for LBFD Phase 3. For Phase 3, respond to the same items requested in 2.1.1 through 2.1.5. Other Response Information Interested parties should submit a written response in Microsoft Word or pdf format via electronic submission. Responses should be no more than 10 pages for each Section (Section 1 and/or 2) using a minimum of 12-point font, including the cover page and tables and graphics if needed. For all responses, please include a cover page with the: 1) Name and address of institution or organization 2) Size or category of institution or organization 3) Affiliate information: parent company, joint venture or potential teaming partners 4) Primary point of contact (POC) and title 5) POC email and phone 6) Interest in attending Industry Day Please indicate YES or NO 7) Desire for private discussions with NASA Please indicate YES or NO Responses to this RFI may be submitted directly to william.f.cann@nasa.gov (encrypted email is acceptable and recommended if proprietary information is included). If so indicated in your response, all information received from this RFI will be considered confidential and proprietary; however, NASA intends to use responses for strategic purposes and acquisition strategy planning. Proprietary and export controlled information should be marked appropriately in your response to the RFI. Respondents are advised that NASA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. NASA may contact respondents to this RFI if clarifications or additional information is desired. NASA plans to conduct a one-day Industry Day meeting with respondents that is currently proposed for July 16th at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting will be for group discussions with regard to strategic planning (see Section 1) for the CST Project and LBFD in the morning, followed by private discussions in the afternoon (if desired) with respondents regarding acquisition strategy planning (see Section 2) for the proposed LBFD Project. NASAs expectation is that respondents be prepared to discuss their RFI response (Section 1 and/or Section 2) as appropriate. Respondents attending Industry Day will be notified via e-mail to the POC identified in your response and provided more detailed information with regard to the meeting location, agenda, and other details. NASA requests that each respondent identify a maximum of 3 individuals by name, affiliation, and citizenship that will be participating in the Industry Day discussions - this information will required to process visit requests. It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 titled Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes, and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement. The Government will not pay for information submitted in response to this RFI. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the FedBizOpps or NASA Acquisition Internet Service websites. It is the responsibility of any potential offerors/bidders to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation, synopsis, or related documents.
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- Record
- SN03750329-W 20150604/150602235253-ba3821e08cb4f4542f7f2a6217607bff (fbodaily.com)
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