SOLICITATION NOTICE
15 -- ARES AIRFRAME SUBSYSTEM
- Notice Date
- 5/21/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001
- ZIP Code
- 23681-0001
- Solicitation Number
- 1-041-ARES
- Response Due
- 7/7/2003
- Archive Date
- 5/21/2004
- Point of Contact
- Nancy M. Sessoms, Contract Specialist, Phone (757) 864-2471, Fax (757) 864-7709, Email n.m.sessoms@larc.nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Nancy M. Sessoms
(n.m.sessoms@larc.nasa.gov)
- Description
- NASA/LaRC has a requirement for an airframe subsystem in support of the Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey (ARES) Program that is contingent upon selection of the LaRC ARES proposal under step 2 of NASA Office of Space Science Mars Scout Announcement of Opportunity (AO) 02-OSS-02, and the availability of funds. The ARES mission extends and complements the Mars Exploration Program by addressing two critical scientific themes: Near-surface Atmospheric Chemistry and Crustal Magnetism. ARES will obtain simultaneous, contiguous, and complementary measurements of the Mars atmosphere, surface, and interior at a scale not previously achieved. Measurements will be obtained in-situ, near the Mars surface, and over regional scale distances, yielding scientific advances in our understanding of the nature and variability of the Mars atmosphere, surface and interior. This mission is accomplished with a flight-proven airplane system in one of the most scientifically intriguing regions of Mars, the Southern Highlands. The airframe subsystem includes the design, fabrication and testing of an engineering model, structural/thermal mass model, flight unit, and atmospheric data system. Additionally, this requirement involves trade studies, development of interface requirements, support of wind tunnel testing, high altitude drop testing, and mission operations. Contingent upon selection of the ARES Program under the above AO, and upon the availability of funds, NASA/LaRC intends to issue a contract on a sole source basis to Aurora Flight Sciences (AFS) Corporation for the airframe subsystem and other requirements as defined above. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, "Only one responsible source". AFS was competitively selected under step 1 of the ARES mission based on their extensive and unique experience with at least three significant Mars Airplane development studies that resulted in both definitive reports as well as flight worthy hardware that successfully demonstrated the capabilities of their respective airplanes. Step 2 of this work involves the selection of a team under AO 02-OSS-02 for full development as the first Mars Scout Mission. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), along with teaming partner AFS, has submitted a Step 2 Proposal as part of the Step 2 process. The step 2 selection is planned for August 2003. As a current partner to NASA LaRC, AFS has played a key role in the development of the Phase A Concept Study Report (Step 2 proposal) and in the overall mission. The key risk element of the ARES mission concept is the extraction of the stowed airplane from the Mars atmosphere entry body, and the unfolding and deployment of the wings and tail to form a flying airplane. AFS has successfully performed a demonstration of the initial stowing and deployment concept for the ARES mission in a test of a half-scale version of the ARES airplane. This test represents the first-ever successful test of an airplane unfolding, deployment, orientation, and pullout maneuver in aerodynamic conditions. This test and results from the work performed by AFS during the ARES proposal development process will provide a significant knowledge base for the ARES mission and reduce the development and schedule risks. The combination of flight experience and the capabilities of AFS to design and develop airplanes are unique qualifications that directly address the needs of the ARES mission. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer, which shall be considered by the agency. See note 22. Any questions should be directed to Nancy Sessoms at (757) 864-2471 or by email: n.m.sessoms@nasa.gov
- Web Link
-
Click here for the latest information about this notice
(http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=23#105877)
- Record
- SN00330148-W 20030523/030521214053 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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