NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

V -- ALTERNATE ACCESS TO STATION VEHICLE ACQUISITION SOL RFI-04-21-2000 DUE 050300 POC Betty C. Kilpatrick, Contract Specialist, Phone (256) 544-0310, Fax (256) 544-4080, Email betty.kilpatrick@msfc.nasa.gov -- George E. Pendley, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-2949, Fax (256) 544-2812, Email george.pendley@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=62#RFI-0 4-21-2000. E-MAIL: Betty C. Kilpatrick, betty.kilpatrick@msfc.nasa.gov. THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center is hereby soliciting information for potential sources for the Alternate Access to Space Station (AAS)acquisition. This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center for comments and statement of interest for the Alternate Access to Space Station (AAS) acquisition. The International Space Station (ISS) will nominally utilize the Shuttle, the Russian Progress, or the Automated Transfer Vehicle for re-supply. In the event that these delivery methods are unavailable, NASA desires a contingency re-supply service for the ISS that would enhance ISS operability (e.g., relieving the manifest demands of the aforementioned primary re-supply carriers) or meet critical ISS needs (e.g., launch on demand). This notice is to seek industry comments and statements of interest about NASA's possible acquisition of a contingency re-supply service for the ISS. The contingency re-supply service consists of two payload types: 1) Progress equivalent contingency (heavy), and 2) small contingency (light). The heavy payload mission shall be available for launch in a response time to be defined by potential contractor capabilities. The light payload mission shall have the capability to launch in rapid response or emergency situation, i.e., within a few days. The AAS service encompasses a number of major phases. These phases are the same for both the heavy and light payload missions, and are as follows: 1. Build up of launch vehicle and integration of payload 2. Launch of the re-supply vehicle with payload to LEO 3. Phase maneuvers to Approach Ellipsoid (AE) of the station 4. Proximity operations within AE at station 5. Transfer of cargo into the station 6. Transfer of trash into the re-supply vehicle 7. Departure from ISS and controlled destructive re-entry NASA is considering the possibility of soliciting proposals from industry in Calendar Year 2000 for a study to assess the feasibility of a contingency ISS re-supply service. The current schedule indicates a Study Request for Proposals (RFP) release in the May 2000 timeframe. The study results will be used to develop an approach for NASA to contract for alternate access to station contingency re-suply services. NASA is interested in determining the number of potential participants and any of their technical or performance issues. Comments regarding the AAS service as described above are also welcome. Please forward all comments and statements of interest to this notice by May 3, 2000 to Mr. Betty C. Kilpatrick at the following address: NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office/PS52-G, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the identified point of contact. Posted 04/21/00 (D-SN447661). (0112)

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