SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- RLLD REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
- Notice Date
- 9/24/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall SpaceFlight Center, AL 35812
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- 09242010PS21
- Response Due
- 10/29/2010
- Archive Date
- 9/24/2011
- Point of Contact
- Stacey E. Crocker, Contract Specialist, Phone 256-544-3506, Fax 256-544-5028, Email Stacey.E.Crocker@nasa.gov - Lizette M Kummer, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-544-3457, Fax 256-544-5028, Email Lizette.M.Kummer@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Stacey E. Crocker
(Stacey.E.Crocker@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This notice is issued by the NASA/MSFC to post a RFI via the internet, and solicitresponses from interested parties. This document is for information and planningpurposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibilityof the requirement, as well as promote competition. RLLD REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ________________________________________Synopsis September 24, 2010________________________________________General InformationSolicitation Number:09242010PS21Reference Number:RFI09242010PS21Posted Date:September 24, 2010FedBizOpps Posted Date: September 24, 2010Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action:NoOriginal Response Date: October 29, 2010Current Response Date:October 29, 2010Classification Code:A Research and DevelopmentNAICS Code:541712 Contracting Office Address NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space FlightCenter, AL 35812Description I.Background :The Robotic Lunar Lander Development (RLLD) Project Office at NASA Marshall Space FlightCenter (MSFC) is currently studying several mission concepts that involves landing on anairless body.Trade studies of launch vehicle options for these mission conceptsindicate that in all cases the spacecraft design will be significantly mass-constrained.Initial propulsion concept designs for these missions show that high performance andlight weight thrusters, such as high thrust-to-weight thrusters used in other atmosphericapplications, will potentially fulfill the mass allocation requirements. However, thesethrusters are generally not typical of NASA designed propulsion systems and thus have notbeen flight qualified for NASA spaceflight environments/applications. II.Objective This Request for Information (RFI) is to determine what applicable designs and existingthruster hardware are currently available, their technology readiness levels (TRLs) andany programmatic issues related to NASA applications. III.Technical Requirements NASA is considering the use of high thrust-to-weight thrusters on NASA robotic landermissions. The current design uses MON-25 and MMH, but other hypergolic bi-propellantoptions may be considered upon review of information received.This selection is basedon the propellants capable of handling low temperature conditions; subsequently, usage ofheater power for the propulsion during flight can be reduced.Constraints on vehiclemass, volume and (heater) power lead to consideration of high-performance andlight-weight thrusters that are generally not typical of NASA designed propulsionsystems. NASA is interested in mature thruster designs that can be applied to the NASAprograms with relatively minor design enhancements.The vehicle concept includes up to twelve 100-lbf thrust (vacuum) class thrusters forlunar descent and twelve 5-lbf thrust (vacuum) class thrusters for attitude control. Alternate concepts for descent propulsion will be also considered: i.e. six 200-lbfclass thrusters. Although, the current baseline requires 1200lbf of thrust for thedescent engines, this value may be increased or decreased as the design matures. Thepreferred class for the descent engine is either 75 100lbf or 150 200lbf. Furthermore, these engines will be operated in a pulsing mode. The preferred class forthe attitude control engines is 5 8lbf.Conceptual specification sheets for two thrusters are attached. See Attachment 1: Designand Performance Parameters for Attitude Control System Thruster (5-7 lbf Class), andAttachment 2: Design and Performance Parameters for Descent Thruster (75 100-lbf thrustClass). As part of this RFI, we are seeking detailed specifications using the same specificationsheet layout for the thrusters that you recommend. Also, please indicate the degree towhich design modifications are recommended.IV.Requested InformationThe mission currently under consideration involves a launch in 2015. The RLLD projecthas an aggressive, success-oriented schedule. Industry is invited to provide inputorganized according to the following specific areas: 1) Provide information regarding potential thruster design or existing hardware thatcould meet the needs of RLLD. Specify if an applicable thruster currently exists in thedesired classes. State the technology readiness level for each, with supportingrationale. Describe potential reference missions and any known barriers that NASA canreduce/eliminate through technology enhancement; sharing of information, sharing offacilities; etc.2) Specify whether or not the proposed thrusters are currently in production or when theywere last produced. If thrusters are no longer in production, declare any existinginventory that may be available for utilization. Define risks (schedule, skill, tooling,facility, material availability, etc.) associated with restart of production.Describeany restrictions NASA may encounter on related test data and/or detailed design includingsecurity levels and company proprietary information. 3) Identify rough order of magnitude (ROM) recurring and non-recurring costs. Declareassumptions used when preparing ROM. Specify whether these costs are for individuallyproduced thrusters or a complete ship set. Specify lead time used in estimate and howcost would be affected by compressing schedule to meet key schedule milestones.4) Identify the degree of design/technology optimization that is required, as well as therisks associated with any enhancements/upgrades made for performance. Risks shouldencompass cost, technical, and schedule.5) Provide special features or other information including but not limited to:affordability; safety (minimize catastrophic failures, loss of vehicle, etc,) andperformance (ISP, mass, etc.). Provide rationale as to how these requirements werederived.6) Describe your approach to develop a suitable MMH/MON-25 engine, including potentialuse of precursor or prototype engine testing at an affordable cost, for lunar missionlaunch in the latter half of 2015. Specify location of planned thruster/system testing.7) Describe how you would leverage existing efforts, if any, to include hardware,designs, analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedule.V.Summary As stipulated in FAR 52.215-3, (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract onthe basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited exceptas an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid andproposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although 'proposal' and'offeror' are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated asinformation only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Inputs shall be compliant with alllegal and regulatory requirements concerning limitations on export controlled items.All responses should be provided in Microsoft Office document format. Font should beTimes New Roman, size 12. Responses should not exceed 10 pages total and should beclearly labeled if responses include proprietary information. Responses are requested tobe submitted in Microsoft Office products in a user friendly environment to facilitatereview. One hard copy and 1 CD is requested. NASA has the right to duplicate additionalcopies for internal use. Please submit responses no later than October 29, 2010 to NASA/MSFC Office ofProcurement, Attn: PS21/Stacey E. Crocker, Contract Specialist, Marshall Space FlightCenter, AL 35812. Additional questions should also be provided before October 15, 2010for review and feedback to Stacey E. Crocker via e-mail, stacey.e.crocker@nasa.gov. Procurement will send an acknowledgement response after submittals have been received andcoordinate responses to RFI inquiries with technical POC within the times specified forinquires. Thereafter, procurement will not be involved in communication regarding thisRFI. When responding please reference: RFI09242010PS21An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note 'B'.
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