SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Centennial Challenges Program Space Robotics Challenge Request for Information (RFI) - Space Robotics Challenge Rules and Response Template
- Notice Date
- 7/19/2016
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Office of Procurement, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama, 35812, United States
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- NNM16ZZP003L
- Archive Date
- 9/5/2016
- Point of Contact
- Melinda E Swenson, Phone: 2565440381
- E-Mail Address
-
melinda.e.swenson@nasa.gov
(melinda.e.swenson@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- RFI Response Template Space Robotics Challenge Rules 1. SUMMARY The Centennial Challenges Program is NASA's flagship program for technology prize competitions (www.nasa.gov/challenges). The program is an integral part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing, and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. The Centennial Challenges Program directly engages the public, academia, and industry in open prize competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies that have benefit to NASA and the nation. For more information about NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech. The Centennial Challenges program is seeking input on a Space Robotics Challenge being considered for start in 2016. This Challenge seeks to foster the creation of new or advance existing humanoid robotic dexterous capabilities. The purpose of this RFI is to: (1) to gather feedback on the competition draft rules. Responses should be submitted in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format and are limited to five (5) pages in length. Responses should include (as applicable): name, address, email address, and phone number of the respondent, business, or organization, with point of contact for business or organization. This RFI is seeking feedback from potential challengers. Comments must be submitted in electronic form no later than 5:00 pm EDT, August 5, 2016 to Ms. Monsi Roman at e-mail address: HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov. Use Space Robotics Challenge on the Subject line. NASA welcomes all segments of industry, academia, and government, including associations, innovators, and enthusiasts to reply to this RFI. This RFI is for informational/planning purposes only and the Government will not be responsible for any cost associated with preparing information in support of this RFI. This RFI is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the government to enter into any agreement or other obligation or to conduct a Space Robotics challenge. This notice is issued in accordance with the NASA Prize Authority, 51 U.S.C. § 20144. Responses may be made available for public review and should not include proprietary information. Submitted information will be shared within NASA and with contractor personnel associated with the NASA Centennial Challenges Program. All responses are to be for general access by government reviewers. For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program see: http://www.nasa.gov/challenges. The point of contact is Ms. Monsi Roman, Program Manager, Centennial Challenges Program, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. 2. BACKGROUND The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Inc. (hence forth referred to as Space Center Houston) has partnered with NASA to develop and execute the Space Robotics Challenge. Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Inc. (MSFEFI) seeks to foster the creation of new or advance existing humanoid robotic dexterous capabilities. Humanoid robots, like NASA's R5, may one day venture ahead of or work side-by-side with our nation's astronauts. 3. CHALLENGE DESCRIPTION The Space Robotics Challenge focuses on developing software to increase the autonomy of dexterous mobile robots-particularly those of humanoid format-so they can complete specific tasks during space travel or after landing on other planets (such as Mars), as well as on Earth. Eventually, these robots will assist us with tasks such as: • Deploying and preparing habitats, power systems and other infrastructure on Mars before humans arrive. • Disaster relief and industrial plant maintenance on our own planet. The following virtual challenge scenario serves as a backdrop for developing coding advancements that enable the autonomy of humanoid robotics: In the not too distant future, R5 (also known in industry as Valkyrie) has arrived on Mars along with supplies ahead of a human mission. Overnight a dust storm damaged the habitat and solar array, and caused the primary communication antenna to become misaligned. R5 must now repair an air leak in the habitat, deploy a new solar panel, and align the communication antenna 4. DRAFT CHALLENGE RULES See attached document: SRC Rules 5. INFORMATION SOUGHT Feedback is sought on the draft challenge rules (attached), specifically any rule modifications that would make the competition more appealing or that would further encourage technology development. • Are there any modifications to the rules would make the challenge more appealing to you? • Are there other barriers that can be addressed in the timelines, requirements, and formulation of these challenges? • Are there specific changes that could be made to make the rules more clear and concise? • Do you have any comments to the competition format or the prize structure? • Are the evaluation criteria sufficient? If not, how would you change them? Responses can be submitted in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format and are limited to 5 pages in length. Responders should include: name, address, email address, and phone number of the respondent, business or organization with point of contact for business or organization. 6. ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE In the event that NASA does initiate this challenge, NASA will post a public notice in the Federal Register. At that time, all individuals or entities that wish to participate in the challenge must register as members of a team and enter into an agreement with the designated challenge management organization. Teams foreign and domestic may compete in the challenge, although teams that include foreign nationals who are not permanent residents of the United States may not receive prize money for these competitions. The sole exception is for U.S based educational institutions and entities, which may have up to 50% foreign national members on their teams. No team members may be from countries listed on the NASA list of designated countries. (The current list of designated countries can be found at http://oiir.hq.nasa.gov/nasaecp/). Teams cannot include any Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment. This includes any U.S. Government organization or organization principally or substantially funded by the Federal Government, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, Government-owned, contractor operated (GOCO) facilities, and University Affiliated Research Centers. NASA and other federal agencies may work with and provide technical support to participating teams as long as it is done on an equitable basis. That is, similar requests are dealt with in a similar fashion, be it access to facilities, testing, scientific consultation, or other services. This does not obligate NASA or other federal agencies to provide the support. These services may be at no cost or on a cost reimbursable basis as determined by the subject federal agency in accordance with law and policy. Registration and participation in a challenge does not entitle a participant to a NASA-funded prize. To be eligible to win a NASA funded prize, the competitor must (1) register and comply with all requirements in the rules and enter into a team agreement; (2) in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and (3) shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment. 7. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This RFI seeks feedback on the competition rules and structure and/or interest in competing in any or all Challenge phases. Comments must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on August 5, 2016 to Ms. Monsi Roman at e-mail address: HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov. Use Space Robotics Challenge on the Subject line. For general information on the NASA Centennial Challenges Program see: http://www.nasa.gov/challenges. The point of contact is Ms. Monsi Roman, Program Manager, Centennial Challenges Program, Marshall Space Flight Center at e-mail address: HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov.
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