NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BE

18 -- OBSERVATION PERIOD FOR AN X-38 TRANSITION TO A CRV FOR ISS SOL 9-BE13-18-8-38R DUE 071598 POC Yolande B. Harden, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-9953, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email yolande.b.harden1@jsc.nasa.gov -- Gail L. Boyes, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-5784, Fax (281) 483-6200, Email gail.l.boyes1@jsc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/JSC/date.html#9-BE13-18-8-38R. E-MAIL: Yolande B. Harden, yolande.b.harden1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA Johnson Space Center intends to conduct an observation period for potential prime contractors in conjunction with the establishment of a transition plan for the development of an operational Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) for the International Space Station (ISS). This observation period is designed to allow opportunities for potential prime contractors to participate in on-going Experimental Crew Return Vehicle (X-38) program meetings and discussions, review data and to observe ground and flight tests conducted at the Johnson Space Center and Dryden Flight Research Center, or X-38 activities at other locations. Periodic assessments will be solicited from the participants. Only those firms capable of demonstrating the experience and ability to undertake the CRV contract as a prime contractor will be considered for participation in this observation period. Firms must possess the following qualifications in order to participate in this observation period: 1) demonstrated ability to build airframes; 2) demonstrated experience with the integration of complex avionics systems; and 3) demonstrated ability to manage space related programs with an annual volume of $50M or more. Firms not interested in proposing as a prime contractor, or not possessing prime contractor qualifications, may want to consider participation with a potential prime as a teaming subcontractor. It is JSC s intent to allow as much latitude as practical in allowing participants access to information concerning the X-38 program and the development and planning of a CRV program. However, during the observation period, each firm selected to participate will be allowed a maximum of four persons on-site at the Johnson Space Center during any given time. That same maximum will also apply to any X-38 observation period activities at other locations unless expressly modified by the Government. Participating potential prime contractors will be selected on the basis of the degree to which they meet the qualifications specified above. To facilitate selection, please explain in detail your company s experience in meeting the cited criteria. Please limit all responses regarding qualifications to 5 pages. Please provide a point of contact, telephone and facsimile numbers with the response. Responses should be received at the following address not later than 4 p.m. CDT, July 15, 1998, via facsimile at 281-244-5331or by email to: Gboyes@ems.jsc.nasa.gov NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Attn: Gail Boyes/BE 2101 NASA Road One Houston, Texas 77058 Notification of the firms selected for participation will be made as soon as possible thereafter. Responses received after the indicated date will be handled in a manner which best suits the Government s interest. The anticipated time frame for the observation period is July 20, 1998 through release of the final Request for Proposals (RFP) for the CRV project (currently planned for early CY99). Please note that the Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information or otherwise pay for the information solicited or for any activities of participating firms. Further, while it is anticipated that this observation period will end with the issuance of a RFP, the Government may cancel the observation period and not issue (or delay the issuance of ) any RFP, as budget and program needs may dictate. The technical point of contact for this effort is Joe Maloy -- 281-483-0451. The procurement points of contact are Yolande Harden 281-483-9953 and Gail Boyes 281-483-5784. Posted 07/02/98. (0183)

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