SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- INVESTIGATE VENTING AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF MLI BLANKETS
- Notice Date
- 7/22/2008
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135
- ZIP Code
- 44135
- Solicitation Number
- 4200261513
- Response Due
- 8/1/2008
- Archive Date
- 7/22/2009
- Point of Contact
- Carol J. Cobbs, Contracting Officer, Phone 216-433-2771, Fax 216-433-2480
- E-Mail Address
-
Carol.J.Cobbs@nasa.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NASA/GRC has a requirement for implementation of the NASA Cryogenic FluidManagement (CFM)project sponsored research investigating venting and thermal prformanceof multi-layer insultion (MLI) blankets for cryogenic storage tanks during launch ascentby comparing the performane of a bounding case for maximum vacuum thermal performance buthighest risk for structural blanket damage (MLI blanket without perforations) to pervioustest dta from a perforated blanket in the same configuration. NASA/GRC intends to obtain this service from Ball Aerospace Corporation as an additionaltask under an existing contract.This research task will require specialized test equipment, hardware fabrication, andmodeling capabilities including a vacuum system capable of simulating a launch ascentpressure profile on a cryogenic tank of reasonable scale, high-fidelity (flight-like) MLIblanket fabrication, existing fluid and thermal modeling capability for the MLI venting,and models for assessment of blanket structural integrity during venting. BATC haspre-existing unique hardware, data and models required to conduct this research. Theywill fabricate a flight-like 40 layer MLI blanket (vented only at the seems), apply theblanket to a relevant scale cryogenic tank, test through simulated ascent profiles, andprovide the government with a direct comparison of this new data to existing data for aperforated MLI blanket in the same setup. The existing BATC thermal and fluid dynamicmodels will be anchored to this new data and provided to the government.The research services sought through this directed research contract are available atreasonable cost only from the BATC, as it will build on the unique research hardware anddata previously developed at BATC under internal research and development (IRAD) funding.BATC previously constructed the facility required for conducting the tests for thiseffort and tested and analyzed the ascent venting performance of a perforated MLIblanket. The data from this prior test was used in the development of BATCs ascentventing MLI performance model and will be used for direct comparison to the performanceof the MLI blanket tested in this effort. This data is not otherwise available to thegovernment. BATC also has unique expertise in fabricating MLI blankets for flightcryogenic vessels (Space Shuttle PRSD tanks) that will be leveraged in this effort toensure development of a flight-like test article. The research services are deemed to be available only from the BATC which is in this caseconsidered a add-on effort to the contract previously awarded as the Delivery andStorage of Cryogenic Propellants for Exploration Missions in which BATC applied theirMLI launch ascent venting model to analyze thermal performance and showed that the ascentventing portion of the mission could be a significant contributor to the overall thermalload on the propellants. Seeking other than a sole-source procurement would causesubstantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recoveredthrough competition and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agencys requirements anddeliverables under the IPP program. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfyagency requirements. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform theeffort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local timeon August 1, 2008. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for thepurpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and opencompetition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretionof the government.Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=90b9517e08427b3cbe7c03fb84beae14&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Record
- SN01620254-W 20080724/080722224230-90b9517e08427b3cbe7c03fb84beae14 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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