A -- STERLING POWER SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY

Notice Date

July 10, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

ZIP Code

44135

Response Due

September 30, 2001

Point of Contact

Glen M. Williams, Contracting Officer, Phone (216) 433-2885, Fax (216) 433-2480, Email Glen.M.Williams@grc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Glen M. Williams (Glen.M.Williams@grc.nasa.gov)

Description

All responses shall be submitted to Jeffrey Schreiber (see phone no./address below) no later than September 30, 2001. In responding reference Sterling power system technology. NASA/GRC is hereby soliciting information for potential sources for The NASA Glenn Research Center is seeking to identify qualified sources to participate in an advanced Stirling power system technology project. The objective of the project is to develop advanced technologies for use in a radioisotope space power generator comprised of a free-piston Stirling power convertor, along with the associated thermal management technologies and electric controller technologies. It is envisioned that these technologies will provide the basis for an advanced version (2nd generation) Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG), with performance improvements beyond the SRG that is presently being developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) for NASA long-life Mars surface and deep space missions.(Ref http://www.oak.doe.gov/procure/main_pg.html). Specific areas of interest are thermal management (heat transport into the Stirling convertor and heat rejection from the convertor), the Stirling convertor (a free-piston Stirling engine with a linear alternator), along with the Stirling controller and power conditioning (AC/DC) circuits. It should be assumed that all systems will be heated by DOE's General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules (250Wth 16) with no modifications, and that the system waste heat will either be radiated to deep space or be made available to the spacecraft or rover. The advanced version of the SRG should maximize specific power of the generator based on the use of two (2) or more GPHS modules per generator. The goal is to develop and demonstrate technologies that will allow 2nd generation Stirling power systems to have increased system efficiency (heat to electric power) and reduce system mass to achieve specific power of approximately 10We/kg. All other characteristics being incorporated into the SRG, such as long life, high reliability, fault tolerance, low vibration, etc.) must either be maintained at the levels in the aforementioned DOE effort, or be improved upon. The purpose of this announcement is to obtain information from interested parties that may be used by the Government to formulate a competitive procurement for the development of this technology. Estimated period of performance is anticipated to be 24 months. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these cites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references. Technical questions should be directed to: Jeffrey Schreiber (216) 433-6144, NASA GRC, 21000 Brookpark Rd. MS 301-2, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in Internet "Note A". This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=22#GRC-5490)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010712/ASOL013.HTM (D-191 SN50R411)