Loren Data's SAM Daily™

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF AUGUST 25, 2023 SAM #7941
SPECIAL NOTICE

A -- 2024 Request for White Papers: NASA SBIR Phase II Sequential

Notice Date

8/23/2023 3:48:21 AM
 

Notice Type

Special Notice
 

NAICS

541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
 

Contracting Office

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS 39529 USA
 

ZIP Code

39529
 

Solicitation Number

80NSSC24SEQUENTIALWP
 

Response Due

10/5/2023 2:00:00 PM
 

Archive Date

10/20/2023
 

Point of Contact

Kenneth E. Albright, Phone: 8776772123
 

E-Mail Address

Agency-SBIR-STTRSolicitation@mail.nasa.gov
(Agency-SBIR-STTRSolicitation@mail.nasa.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

SBA Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
 

Description

1. Background NASA is considering inviting companies to propose for Sequential Phase II awards with higher award values ranging between $2.5 Million to $4 Million through the Agency�s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program in 2024. These awards would facilitate rapid post Phase II development of technologies with the goal to infuse key technologies that reach specific milestones into specific NASA programs. 2. Purpose Why is NASA requesting this information? The SBIR program is performing a portfolio evaluation exercise with the aim of determining what NASA SBIR Phase II technologies show the promise of risk reduction for key programs, and what firms are capable candidates for further investment through a potential Sequential Phase II award. NASA has a large SBIR Phase II portfolio to evaluate, and this exercise will help accomplish two objectives: 1. Highlight and map SBIR Phase II technologies to key programs with white papers providing additional context and details about opportunities for small business technology development. 2. Provide a participatory method for interested parties to communicate that they are engaged and ready to support a subset of NASA�s priorities that may be appropriate for small business participation, as described in this call for white papers. 3. Disclaimer NASA reserves the right to use the information received from these white papers in any way it chooses, including determinations to invite companies to propose for a Phase II Sequential award. A Phase II Awardee may receive one additional, Sequential Phase II award to continue the work of an initial Phase II award without additional competition. Responding to this call for white papers is not a prerequisite to participating in any post Phase II program. This white paper can be used for programmatic planning to assess the state of small business capability and does not constitute a funding opportunity or a formal competition. Respondents should be advised that NASA takes no financial responsibility for any expenses incurred for responding to the white paper call. Respondents should not expect to receive feedback or response to their submission. Future awards (if any) will be subject to and contingent upon the availability of funds. If proposal invitations do occur, NASA notionally anticipates reaching out to firms around January 2024. 4. Timeline and Method for Responses NASA uses electronically supported business processes for the SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. An offeror must have internet access and an email address. Paper submissions are not accepted. The Electronic Handbook (EHB) for submitting white papers is located at http://sbir.nasa.gov under the Handbooks section; please refer to the SBIR/STTR Proposal Submission EHB link therein for the portal to submit a white paper. The EHB guides firms through the steps for submitting a white paper. All EHB submissions are through a secure connection. Communication between NASA�s SBIR/STTR programs and the firm is primarily through a combination of EHB and email. The submissions site will be available from August 23, 2023, to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to October 5, 2023. A complete white paper package shall be received no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on October 5, 2023, via the NASA SBIR/STTR website (http://sbir.nasa.gov), under the Handbooks section. The EHB will no longer accept submissions after this deadline as reflected by the internal EHB clock. Submission after the deadline will result in the offeror receiving an access denied message from the EHB; this reflects that the deadline has been exceeded. Any remaining parts of the white paper package will not be uploaded or able to be completed. If a complete white paper package, containing all requested content per section 8 of this Request for White Papers, is not received by the 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time deadline, the white paper package will be determined to be incomplete and will not be assessed. Neither the NASA SBIR/STTR Technical Support Help Desk nor the NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office will be able to accept white paper packages after the 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 5, 2023, deadline has been exceeded. 5. Eligibility Firms are eligible to submit a white paper if they have a prior NASA SBIR Phase II award from Program Years 2014 to present as long as the prior Phase II contract has not already received a Sequential Phase II award, from any government agency including NASA. Technical Need Areas (TNAs) indicate subtopics which the SBIR program has assessed as having content that may be applicable to these TNAs. However, firms with prior SBIR Phase IIs from NASA Program Years 2014 to present who have not yet received a Sequential Phase II award on that prior Phase II from any agency may submit a white paper in response to a TNA so long as they justify in the white paper how the continued development of their prior Phase II innovation meets stated goals within the Technical Need Area. Prior Phase II awards must also be completed, including any option periods, by August 1, 2024. Completed awards are awards where contract period of performance has expired, and all deliverables have been accepted by the Government. The prior Phase II contract also must not have already received a Sequential Phase II award, from any government agency including NASA. Firms must justify in the white paper how the continued development of their prior Phase II innovation meets stated goals within the TNA. Development efforts should largely continue from the end status and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) development status of the prior Phase II development and/or any continued efforts that happened since the end of the Phase II effort. The detailed effort should involve and justify the continued development of at least one of the primary technologies already developed during the prior applicable Phase II. While some re-development may be required for the specific application purposes called out in these Technical Need Areas, any significant new developments that differ from the prior Phase II technology or re-developments that impact the technology should be justified as pertinent to the original Phase II award and the TNA the white paper is being submitted under. Likewise, impacts to the starting TRL should be justified. White papers on technologies that are not adequately justified as relevant continuations of the prior cited Phase II or are not compliant may not be assessed or considered. Additionally, only firms who continue to qualify as Small Business Concerns (SBCs), as defined here: http://sbir.nasa.gov/content/nasa-sbirsttr-program-definitions, are eligible to submit white papers. White paper submissions are limited to a maximum of 2 (two) responses per TNA. These Technical Need Areas may have multiple vested programs and/or use cases. Within that TNA, white papers may justify the technology as applicable to as few or as many of those applicable programs or cases as is appropriate; however, each white paper may only pertain to one TNA. These TNAs have been identified for this announcement due to their near-term NASA relevance. Topics/subtopics within the TNA were identified based on the technical applicability of the original solicitation subtopic to current needs, pertinence and timeliness to priority objectives and needs, evaluations against the current state of the art and available technologies, and cross program relevance. Note that the lack of inclusion of a given subtopic/program year and the technologies developed from that cycle does not reflect a NASA position on those technologies. Note that while some topics/subtopics in given program years are identified for a TNA, the original scope of those topics/subtopics, and original awards therein, may have been more expansive than the current stated need. While a given prior award may be included within that topic/subtopic and program year, please review the need statement for that TNA to decide if you think that your technology is pertinent to this current development opportunity. White papers on technologies that are not applicable, or whose development path diverges from the stated need, will not be considered. Developments must be directly related to and continue the prior Phase II work and must demonstrate relevance to both the applicable original solicitation subtopic and current cited NASA goals in this area. Note that any further development beyond the prior Phase II conducted (through various NASA SBIR program funding vehicles, other NASA mechanisms, or other development avenues), that may be completed or ongoing, should be discussed in establishing the current state of the technology leading into a potential future development effort. If there is ongoing work on the technology, detail the work, the anticipated completion timeframe, and any known risks/implications to a follow-on development resulting from the ongoing work. 6. Technical Need Areas 6.1 Technical Need Area 2024-1: �Autonomous Lunar Surface Assembly and Outfitting of Tall Towers for Communications and Solar Power Generation NASA is seeking to advance and implement capabilities for the autonomous robotic assembly of large structures for use on the lunar surface. In particular, infrastructure to provide continuous power and long-range surface communications is a critical near-term need for Artemis missions and in the long-term to support sustainable lunar presence. Development and demonstration of autonomous assembly capabilities will enable the construction of other infrastructure such as blast containment shields for landing pads, radiation and thermal shields/walls, shelters, and habitats. In addition, it is expected that future assemblies will be achieved by using In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) based structural elements, thus leading to a truly sustainable lunar construction paradigm. Demonstrating the assembly of truss-based communications and power tower is a valuable first step in providing early and useful infrastructure, leading to expanded infrastructure in the future. Power architecture building blocks are currently planned to start with 50 kWe, likely scaling over time to 100-200 kWe. Early ISRU pilot plant demos and construction demos will require power on the order of 100�s of kWe continuous. Full-scale industrial ISRU, Manufacturing, and Construction along with habitat and mobility systems will require power on the order of 1s-10s of MWe depending on the particular process or surface system. Thus, flexibility and scalability of the power architecture building blocks is required. It is anticipated that a combination of smaller deployable vertical solar arrays (e.g., VSAT) and larger permanent systems will be needed. One of the key challenges is that solar power generation at many of the proposed Artemis landing locations will have to contend with shadowing and extended periods of darkness due to the low light incidence angle and the lunar surface topology. However, at a height of 30 m, there are expansive areas that receive illumination 99% of the year. Thus elevation of the solar panels above 30 m would be required to maximize the illumination and power generation potential at these sites, with similar benefit from elevating the solar panels at other sites. To this end, this SBIR Sequential specifically targets the development and demonstration of capabilities for the assembly and outfitting of a tall communications and power tower.� Specific needs include one or more of the following: Autonomous/automated robotic truss-based assembly Truss and joint design Truss manipulation (robotic tools, autonomy) Verification & validation of assembly (proof testing, in-situ inspection) Joining technologies Including but not limited to welding, bonding, mechanical In-situ inspection Outfitting of power systems: solar arrays (50kWe - 200kWe), power distribution cables Modularity and attachment approaches for system integration, maintenance, and repair Outfitting of communications systems: antenna, cables Modularity and attachment approaches for system integration, maintenance, and repair Optimized use of lightweight materials and components This includes technologies described under TX07.2.3 Surface Construction and Assembly of the 2020 NASA Technology Taxonomy. White papers should discuss the development of the technology.� White papers should discuss the feasibility of using this technology to assemble and outfit a power and communications tower.� White papers should discuss component, subsystem, and/or system integration and interface features, requirements, and challenges. White papers should define targeted key performance parameters of the proposed system(s). White papers should emphasize structural and mechanical innovations, not photovoltaics, electrical, or energy storage innovations, although a complete solar array systems analysis is encouraged. Solar array concepts should be compatible with state-of-the-art solar cell technologies. Similarly, white papers should not emphasize innovations in communication systems, although a complete communication system analysis is encouraged. Design, build, and test of scaled flight hardware or functioning lab models to validate proposed innovations is of high interest. The technologies and systems developed in this effort would enable the autonomous assembly of critical infrastructure including tall communications and solar power towers with extensibility to the construction of other infrastructure such as blast containment shields for landing pads, radiation and thermal shields/walls (e.g., radiation shields for fission surface power (FSP), or shadowed regions for cryogenic propellant storage), shelters and habitats for protection of crew and surface assets. Technologies and systems developed would address technical gaps identified and defined in the Strategic Framework on NASA�s TechPort https://techport.nasa.gov/framework, including: Primary Gaps Photovoltaic arrays up to 50 kWe increments Large (>30m) Inexpensive Communication Towers Power/Communication Tower assembly Supporting Gaps Assembly of Vertical Structures Structural Joints/joining technology Autonomy and robotics to assemble and outfit the tower In-Space Welding, bonding, mechanical joining Outfitting � Power distribution: Harness Integration Outfitting - Connections: power grid, lights, comm system, etc. TNA 2024-1 Applicable NASA Subtopics by Solicitation Year: 2014 � Z1.01, H5.02 2015 � H5.01, H5.02, H5.03, Z2.01� 2016 � H5.01, H5.04, S2.02, Z4.01 2017 � Z4.01, S2.02 2018 � H5.01, Z4.02 2019 � H5.01, Z4.02, Z4.03 2020 � H5.01, H5.02, S2.02 6.2 Technical Need Area 2024-2: �Technologies for Lunar Resource Extraction and Processing NASA is seeking to advance and implement technologies that improve/advance In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems for the lunar and Mars surface. These solutions will allow systems, subsystems, and components to function reliably and efficiently in the relevant surface environment for a minimum of 1 year of operation on the Moon and 26 months on Mars. Specific needs include one or more of the following: Oxygen/metal extraction from regolith. NASA is interested in developing oxygen and/or metal extraction systems that can be proven to handle large amounts of lunar regolith throughput while minimizing consumables, mass, and energy. NASA is particularly interested in developing the technologies that can enable or enhance the ability to extract, isolate, and purify oxygen and/or metals from lunar regolith.� Proposed technologies for oxygen/metal extraction need to consider and define how regolith will be fed into processing systems as well as how processed regolith will be removed continuously or in batches.� Technologies need to operate during sunlight periods but will need to consider temporary shutdown scenarios of up to several days during eclipse periods.� Technologies should focus on processing highland-type regolith found at the lunar poles.� For oxygen/metal extraction processes that utilize solar energy, NASA is interested in developing large scale integrated solar concentrator systems (primary and secondary mirrors, concentrators, and transmission) to support or in conjunction with the oxygen/metal extraction systems. Solar concentrator systems should consider transmission of the concentrated solar energy at least 10 meters from the primary collecting device with concentration to reach a minimum of 1600 C and that allow for collection and concentration of sunlight (10 KW minimum, 30 KW nominal) at the lunar south pole (~1,350 W/m2) for a minimum of 4000:1 concentration ratio.� ISRU for Mars Oxygen or Oxygen/Fuel Production. NASA is interested in developing large scale production of oxygen or oxygen and methane fuel from carbon dioxide in the Mars atmosphere and water that can be extracted on Mars.� Technologies must operate under Mars environmental conditions and collect and pressurize carbon dioxide obtained in the Mars atmosphere to a minimum of 1 bar for oxygen production and 4 bar for oxygen/fuel production.� Technologies should consider the separation and recirculation of unreacted gases, separation of water for subsequent processing, and the drying of oxygen (and methane) before downstream liquefaction.� Technologies need to consider a minimum production of 1 kg/hr of oxygen (and corresponding methane) to 3 kg/hr oxygen.� Use of multiple modules to obtain the desired production rate is acceptable. This includes technologies described under TX7.1 of the 2020 NASA Technology Taxonomy. White papers should discuss the development of the technology.� White papers should include feasibility of using this technology and how the technology would be infused into or onto an asset.� White papers should discuss component, subsystem, and/or system integration and interface features, requirements, and challenges. White papers should define targeted key performance parameters of the proposed system(s) with respect to NASA mission studies such as the Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA) 5.0 and Evolvable Mars Campaign for Mars ISRU and the ISRU Envision Futures Priority and mission studies such as the NASA COMPASS Lunar Production System for Extracting Oxygen from Regolith and the COMPASS Permanently Shadowed Crater ISRU Ice Pilot Plant studies. The technologies and systems developed in this effort would enable/enhance human missions to Mars through the in situ production of ascent vehicle oxygen (and fuel) and would enhance sustained human surface exploration of the Moon and enable long-term commercial operations in cis-lunar space Technologies and systems developed would address technical gaps identified and defined in the ISRU Envisioned Future Priorities released in May 2023 at https://techport.nasa.gov/framework TNA 2024-2 Applicable NASA Subtopics by Solicitation Year: 2015 � H1.01, H8.02,� 2016 � H1.01 2017 � H1.01, Z1.02 2018 � H1.01 2019 � Z1.04, Z12.01 2020 � Z12.01 2021 � Z12.01 7. Formatting Constraints: Note: The government administratively screens all white papers and may not assess any response that does not conform to the following formatting requirements and page limitations. Page Limitations and Margins A white paper shall not exceed a total of 10 standard 8 1/2 x 11 inch (21.6 x 27.9 cm) pages. White papers uploaded with more than 10 pages may not be accepted by the Electronic Handbook (EHB) system or assessed. Each page shall be numbered consecutively at the bottom. Margins shall be 1.0 inch (2.5 cm). The space allocated to each part of the white paper will depend on the project chosen and the company�s approach. The additional fields required for submission in the system will not count against the 10-page limit. Type Size� No type size smaller than 10 point shall be used for text or tables, except as legends on reduced drawings. White papers prepared with smaller font sizes may not be assessed. Header/Footer Requirements Header must include firm name, Phase II contract number, and white paper title. Footer must include the page number and proprietary markings if applicable. Margins can be used for header/footer information. Classified Information� NASA does not accept white papers that contain classified information. Project Title The white paper project title shall be concise and descriptive of the proposed effort. The title should not use acronyms or words like ""Development of"" or ""Study of."" The research topic title or TNA title must not be used as the white paper title. 8. Requested Content of White Paper This part of the submission must consist of all seven (7) parts listed below in the given order. All seven parts of the white paper must be numbered and titled. Parts that are not applicable must be included and marked �Not Applicable.� The requested table of contents is provided below: Part 1: � Table of Contents - Page 1 Part 2:�� Identification and Significance of the Innovation and Results of the Phase II Contract Part 3:�� Technical Objectives for the Sequential Phase II Part 4:�� Work Plan Part 5:�� Key Personnel Part 6:�� Facilities/Equipment/Corporate Capabilities Part 7:�� Related, Essentially Equivalent and Duplicate Proposals and Awards � � 8.1 Detailed White Paper Content Requirements Part 1: Table of Contents The white paper shall begin with a brief table of contents indicating the page numbers of each of the parts of the white paper. Part 2: Identification and Significance of the Proposed Innovation Succinctly describe: The proposed innovation. The proposed innovation relative to the state of the art. Current development status, including any work beyond the initial Phase II. The relevance and significance of the proposed innovation to an interest, need or needs described in section 5 (Eligibility and Technical Need Areas). The product-market fit, identifying specific NASA programs or missions and/or commercial services or capabilities as the intended market. Please be advised that the evaluators may review the Phase II final technical report to verify accuracy of this summary. However, respondents should not rely on this and should include relevant high-level Phase II results in the white paper. Part 3: Technical Objectives Define the specific objectives of the Sequential Phase II research and technical approach. This section should be high-level. Part 4: Work Plan Include a high-level description of the Sequential Phase II R/R&D plan to meet the technical objectives and to align with the identified NASA program or mission and/or commercial services or capabilities. The work plan should indicate what will be done, where it will be done and how the R/R&D will be carried out. Discuss the methods planned to achieve each task or objective. High-level task descriptions and planned accomplishments including high-level project milestones shall be included. Milestones should include major tests and/or resulting points of TRL advancement within the overall development effort. Identify the estimated milestone payments and schedule (at a high level) and if these subset efforts can be accomplished in parallel or in sequence. Discuss the rationale for why these milestones have been chosen and how their completion enables the further infusion, commercialization, and/or the next appropriate ground or flight demonstration of this technology. Period of performance can be determined by the firm based on the specific project, but 24 months can be used as a general guideline. Please also mention any significant subcontracts or consultants and the approximate percentage of work they will be performing. Subcontractors are subject to the same limitations as in a regular Phase II project as shown in the below: SBIR Phase II Subcontracts/Consultants The proposed subcontracted business arrangements including consultants, must not exceed 50 percent of the research and/or analytical work [as determined by the total cost of the proposed subcontracting effort (to include the appropriate OH and G&A) in comparison to the total effort (total contract price including cost sharing, if any, less profit if any)]. Part 5: Key Personnel/ Corporate Capabilities Identify the Principal Investigator and any other critical participants and provide an abbreviated description of their experience and credentials. Please do not provide full curriculum vitae (CVs). Briefly describe the workforce plan to perform the proposed work and the company�s overall resources and capability to manage larger ($2.5M-4M) contracts. Also include a description of any corporate or subcontractor/consultant flight hardware development experience. Part 6: Facilities/Equipment Briefly describe the necessary instrumentation and facilities to be used to perform the proposed work, Companies must ensure their resources are adequate and address any reliance on external sources, such as government furnished equipment or facilities. Part 7: Related, Essentially Equivalent, and Duplicate Proposals and Awards WARNING � While it is permissible with proposal notification to submit identical proposals or proposals containing a significant amount of essentially equivalent work for consideration under numerous federal program solicitations, it is unlawful to enter into funding agreements requiring essentially equivalent work. This white paper submission is being used for informational purposes only, but in the case that NASA chooses to invite a full proposal based on the white paper, it would be beneficial to be aware of any potentially related, essentially, equivalent, or duplicate proposals/awards. Please list any such proposals/awards in this section, indicating: The name and address of the agencies to which proposals were submitted or from which awards were received. Date of proposal submission or date of award. Title, number and date of solicitations under which proposals were submitted or awards received. The specific applicable research topics for each proposal submitted for award received. Titles of research projects. Name and title of principal investigator or project manager for each proposal submitted or award received. 8.2 Additional Information and Uploads� Briefing Chart A briefing chart is required to assist in the review of white papers. The following information fields will be included during the submissions process which will provide NASA with the information needed to generate a briefing chart: Technical Abstract Identification and Significance of Innovation Technical Objectives Proposed Deliverables NASA Applications Non-NASA Applications Graphic Note: The briefing chart is public information and may be disclosed. Do not include proprietary information in this form. Summary Budget Please provide a high-level estimated total cost for each of the following elements in the template that has been provided in the EHB: Direct Labor Overhead General & Administrative (G&A) Profit Subcontractors/Consultants Materials Supplies Equipment Travel Other Direct Costs The minimum budget that can be requested is $2.5 Million, and the maximum is $4 Million over the period of performance of the effort. Additional Uploads Additional uploads other than those requested (white paper, budget, graphic) will not be considered during the review of the white paper. Please do not upload letters of support. 9. Help and Support For any questions regarding clarification of white papers instructions and any administrative matters, the Help Desk may be contacted by email at agency-sbir@mail.nasa.gov. Note: The requestor must provide the name and telephone number of the person to contact, the organization name and address, and the specific questions or requests. Acronyms Abbreviation� � � � � � � � � � � � �Meaning DRA� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Design Reference Architecture EHB� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Electronic Handbook (End-to-end proposal and contract management software) FSP� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Fission Surface Power G&A� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �General and Administrative ISRU� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �In-Situ Resource Utilization OH� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Overhead R/R&D� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Research / Research and Development SBC� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Small Business Concern SBIR� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Small Business Innovation Research STTR� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Small Business Technology Transfer TRL� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Technology Readiness Level TNA� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Technical Need Area
 

Web Link

SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/14829a8719e44cacb5367ee6a4661ddc/view)
 

Place of Performance

Address: USA

Country: USA
 

Record

SN06802918-F 20230825/230823230052 (samdaily.us)
 

Source

SAM.gov Link to This Notice
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