SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- EXTREME SHORT TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIR VEHICLE SIMULANEOUS NON-INTERFEREING OPERATIONS STUDY
- Notice Date
- 5/28/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
- ZIP Code
- 94035-1000
- Solicitation Number
- NNA04Z-AZ001L
- Response Due
- 6/30/2004
- Archive Date
- 5/28/2005
- Point of Contact
- Michael J. Hutnik, Contracting Officer, Phone (650) 604-4195, Fax (650) 604-6990, Email Michael.J.Hutnik@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Michael J. Hutnik
(Michael.J.Hutnik@nasa.gov)
- Description
- NASA/ARC is hereby soliciting information about potential sources for an Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing (ESTOL) Air Vehicle Simultaneous Non-Interfereing (SNI) Operations Study. Introduction As the air transportation system approaches saturation, it has become increasingly difficult to keep pace with demand through the addition of conventional runways. New runways are often prohibitively expensive and airport expansion is frequently a politically charged issue. One approach to remedy this problem is to introduce a new class of air vehicles that could operate independent from conventional aircraft in a simultaneous non-interfering (SNI) manner while operating from short, underutilized runways at either large hub or small airports. This approach supports one or more of the NASA Vehicle System Theme Objectives: Enable more people and goods to travel faster and farther with fewer delays; Protect local and global environmental quality by reducing aircraft noise and emissions; and Enhance the Nation?s security through aeronautical partnerships with DOD, DHS, and other U.S. or international government agencies. Simultaneous Non-Interfering (SNI) operations would form a key aspect of this new aircraft's capability. In contrast to conventional jets, and in addition to steep approaches, ESTOL aircraft could also have a new capability to operate tight simultaneous descending, decelerating, and curved approaches and ascending, accelerating, curved departures. ESTOL aircraft, operating in an SNI manner with CTOL traffic, could make use of under-used airport facilities, such as stub runways, hub cargo areas, and/or regional airports. A new class of ESTOL vehicles could make maximum use of existing airspace by adding aircraft into the system without impacting current air traffic operations from a throughput standpoint. In addition, there could be joint technology development opportunities with the Air Force. The Air Force is exploring ESTOL solutions in the same general vehicle size to meet a number of Air Mobility missions. While commercial and military ESTOL aircraft would each have unique requirements, there are areas of potential commonality, particularly in powered-lift systems, which could be exploited to minimize the development and production cost for a family of ESTOL vehicles. Objective: The goal of this RFI is to obtain information on the technical, operational and economic issues associated with the development and introduction of such a class of aircraft and to identify interest and qualifications for participation on the program. At this time, NASA is interested in identifying and understanding the physical, operational, and economic constraints rather than a specific aircraft design. This information will be used to support the NASA Vehicle System?s Extreme Short Takeoff and Landing (ESTOL) Vehicle Sector technology development plan. Each industry response to this RFI may address all of the areas addressed above or any appropriate sub set of issues. Assumptions for an ESTOL Class Vehicle: At this time, the assumptions for the proposed ESTOL class vehicle are as follows: Operational scenario timeframe: Year 2022. Assume that certification procedures and operational regulations will be developed to allow SNI Operations for an ESTOL class vehicle. Number of air traffic passengers will have doubled as compared to 1997. Same adverse weather capability as year 2022 CTOL vehicles. Nominal cruise speed: Mach = 0.8. Nominal passenger capability: 50 to 150 passengers. Takeoff & landing: FAR 25 Balanced Field Length ? 2,000ft. Technical Challenges: Technical challenges of particular interest include: Identification of the optimum combination of technologies to yield an operationally and economically viable vehicle within the National Airspace System. Robustness for both scaling and off-design operations. System integration. Common technologies (dual use) for both civilian and military transports. Safety of flight and minimal acoustic and environmental impact for both passengers and the community. Operational and Affordability Challenges: It is critical that the ESTOL aircraft developed be economically attractive and operationally feasible for the commercial airlines and air cargo industry. Additionally, benefits should be identified for passengers, airlines, airports, and the National Transportations System (NAS). Responders are asked to provide their insight into the business case for ESTOL. Operational and affordability challenges of particular interest include: Operational procedures for optimizing airport efficiency and passenger throughput. Minimal environmental impacts (noise, additional runways, etc). Acceptable ground terminal area (tarmac) effects (limits on outwash, surface erosion, etc.). Optimal vehicle characteristics such as: ? Range, number of passengers, cruise speed, takeoff and landing distance, pavement and aircraft classification number (PCN/ACN), including floatation, etc. ? Number and types of containers, overall payload-range and speed, preferred loading technique (roll-on/roll off, side door etc.) for air cargo and express cargo operations. ? Combination passenger/cargo "combi" aircraft operations. Minimal operational cost and integration penalties for ESTOL performance. Anticipated demographics of emerging markets as they relate to airfield access/operational requirements?global regions, climate, regional routes, available infrastructure, etc. The identification of appropriate cost metrics, especially those that may enable relative economic viability to be deduced as a function of aircraft physical characteristics. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offeror?s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Interested offerors/vendors having the required specialized capabilities to meet the above requirement should submit a capability statement of no more than ten (10) pages indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort described herein. The ten (10) page response may be marked "company proprietary." If the response is marked "company proprietary" an eleventh (11th) non-proprietary page must be provided that includes the responding company name, a technical point of contact, the technical objectives, and unique development qualifications. Appendices may be provided with supporting information. RFI responses should be submitted electronically. E-mail responses shall be sent to Michael.J.Hutnik@nasa.gov Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in FAR 2.101. 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. All responses shall be submitted to Michael J. Hutnik III no later than June 30, 2004. Please reference NNA04Z-AZ001L in any response.
- Web Link
-
Click here for the latest information about this notice
(http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=21#110579)
- Record
- SN00594728-W 20040530/040528212443 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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