AFFTC/PKA Directorate of Contracting, 5 S Wolfe Ave, Edwards AFB CA 93524-1185

A -- SOLAR ORBIT TRANSFER VEHICLE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PROGRAM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT (PRDA) 97-01-PKAE SOL PRDA 97-01-PKAE DUE 010397 POC Martin Baca, Contract Negotiator, 805.277.3900, ext. 2278 Liliana Michaleski, Contracting Officer, 805.277.3900 Alan Sutton, Project Manager, 805.275.5504. INTRODUCTION: The Phillips Laboratory (PL), Propulsion Directorate (OL-AC PL/RK), Edwards AFB, CA, is interested in receiving proposals for an innovative, conceptual design of a Solar Orbit Transfer Vehicle (SOTV) based upon an advanced propulsion system for a space flight demonstration. To date, efforts to improve accessibility to space have focused on improvements in booster technology, however, there are significant economic and technical benefits from investing in OTVs that incorporate advanced propulsion concepts. These benefits include fabrication and operations cost reductions, primary launch vehicle step-down, and system and payload scalability and flexibility. The PL has been working on advanced propulsion technologies to develop such an SOTV that will be capable of transferring payloads from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to an operational Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO), or some other high energy orbit. In the future, PL plans to demonstrate the concept of an advanced SOTV and validate that all system and subsystem technologies are mature. Currently, PL is soliciting conceptual designs to assist in defining the space demonstration effort, assess the maturity of all advanced SOTV related technologies, and determine which advanced propulsion systems can be successfully and economically launched and operated (Phase I of the SOTV Initiative). The space demonstration effort (Phase II) is tentatively scheduled to begin in Government fiscal year 1998 and will be an aggressive two to three year effort based on design results from the first phase. This announcement addresses the Phase I requirements only. Concepts not selected from the first phase may still be matured by industry for competition in Phase II. This is an unrestricted solicitation, responses from all responsible sources will be considered. Foreign owned or influenced firms and foreign governments, however, are advised they will not be allowed to participate as prime contractors. The standard industrial classification (SIC) applicable to this acquisition is 8731 with 1,000 employees. The cost for preparing proposals in response to this Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or any other contract, but it is an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. The Air Force reserves the right to select for contract award any, all, part, or none of the responses received to this announcement. The type of contract contemplated is firm-fixed-price covering eight and one-half months, estimated at a six month technical effort and a two and one-half month reporting period. The Government anticipates making two awards for approximately $250 thousand each in February of 1997. The funding is only an estimate and is not a promise for funding, as all funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. The Government desires unlimited data rights for all deliverables. Questions on technical issues shall be directed to the project manager, Alan Sutton, PL/RKES, 4 Draco Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7139, phone 805.275.5504. Contracting questions shall be directed to the contract negotiator, Martin Baca, 5 South Wolfe Ave., Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1185, phone 805.277.3900, ext. 2278. The Government reserves the right to amend this PRDA to allow for subsequent submission proposal dates. Offerors are cautioned that only Government Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. This notice constitutes the actual solicitation for this requirement. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) will not be issued. Responses to this PRDA must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on 03 Jan 97 to AFFTC/PKAE, Directorate of Contracting, Attention: Martin Baca, Bldg. 2800, 5 South Wolfe Avenue, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1185. Proposals submitted after the cutoff date specified herein shall be treated in accordance with the restrictions of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) part 52.215-10, ''Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Proposals.'' REQUIREMENTS: The overall goal for this effort is to define creative solutions to reduce the cost of lifting a spacecraft from LEO to GEO or other high energy orbit. Design concepts are limited to solar-thermal and solar-bimodal propulsion systems. Offerors shall submit designs for a follow-on SOTV space flight demonstration effort that is tentatively scheduled to start in Government fiscal year 1998. Offerors are encouraged to submit at least one concept in each of these two areas. The proposal (one proposal per design concept) shall address the technology maturity of the proposed components and integrated system, and shall also present cost/benefit analysis related to these new technologies. The proposal shall discuss the pros and cons of each concept design, describe the offeror's strengths and expertise in the applicable areas, and recommend one concept for further development. The design parameters shall include: (a) a single, integrated, functioning system (b) with a proposed payload, greater than or equal to 300 pounds total weight, less than 300 W orbital average power, a resting power level of less than or equal to 75 W, and a volume of less than or equal to 18 cubic inches, c) a LEO to GEO orbit transfer with a trip time of no more than 30 days, (d) the use of advanced SOTV propulsion concepts, limited to solar-thermal or solar-bimodal propulsion, demonstrating high Isp (greater than 700 sec.). This effort shall define the SOTV integrated system including propulsion and all mandatory functions necessary to successfully conduct an orbit transfer demonstration and flight operations, including the estimated timeline required for a complete system space flight. Offerors shall also estimate fabrication rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs, as well as the required ground resources necessary for the entire orbit transfer mission (e.g., integration, operations manning, satellite control, etc.). Additionally, offerors shall include a description of the complete system operations for the orbit transfer mission. Offerors are encouraged to identify possible low- to no-cost launch opportunities, and address how the conceptual design will integrate with existing launch vehicles and vehicles under development, given the limitations of those vehicles. The design effort shall be based upon the anticipated, separately funded and awarded, SOTV space flight demonstration tentatively scheduled for Government fiscal year 1998. The technical effort identified within each proposal shall address the flight readiness of other necessary OTV technologies such as: (a) secondary propulsion (thrust vector control or reaction control system), (b) command and control/autonomy, (c) acquiring, pointing and tracking (guidance, navigation and control), (d) vibration control, and (e) propellant tankage, feed system, and margin on an integrated system. DELIVERABLE ITEMS: Deliverables for this design concept effort include: (a) Contractor's Progress, Status and Management Report (DI-MGMT-80227/T), submitted monthly, (b) Presentation Material (DI-ADMN-81373) (one package submitted following the technical effort), and (c) a Final Scientific and Technical Report (DI-MISC-80711/T). Final presentation and report shall include a complete system design, including sub-system descriptions, figures, diagrams, and engineering drawings as required, and an artist's conception of the SOTV on orbit. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: Proposals must reference PRDA 97-01-PKAE, and be valid for 180 days from submission. The Government reserves the right to award contracts up to one year from issuance of this announcement. In order that proposals are afforded proper handling, offerors must mark their proposals with the restrictive language stated in FAR 15.509(a). Proposals shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. Additional information on prior work in this area and resumes of key personnel who will be participating in this effort and to what extent they will be involved shall also be included. The technical proposal shall include a Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. A SOW preparation guide is available upon request. There is a 100 page limit for the proposal (12 pitch or larger type, double spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches). An original and eight copies of each proposal are requested. BASIS OF AWARD: The Government reserves the right to select for contract award any, all, part or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Multiple awards are probable. The selection will be based upon an integrated value assessment considering technical merit and price. A scientific and engineering evaluation will be conducted on all proposals received. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the relative merit of the technical approach proposed in response to this announcement. This evaluation shall consider technical aspects and price as related to technical effort. Full proposals will be evaluated and categorized as Category I, II, or III. Only proposals receiving a rating of Category I or II will be eligible for selection for award. The technical evaluation area will be ranked as first priority in the evaluation. The price, while considered substantial, will be second in priority. The technical evaluation will be based upon the following criteria, ranked in descending order of importance: (1) The offeror's understanding of the scope of the technical effort and the soundness of the technical approach, (2) Innovation and creativity of the proposed solution to meeting the technical objectives as stated and progress of the effort towards a complete, final OTV design, (3) The availability of qualified technical personnel and their experience with applicable technologies, and (4) The offeror's past experience in satellite/OTV design, fabrication, integration and operation. No further evaluation criteria will be used in selecting the proposals. The Government anticipates adequate price competition (APC) on this acquisition. Offerors are advised that employees of Aerospace Corporation, General Physics Corporation and Utah State University may assist the Government as advisors in performing technical evaluations of proposals submitted under this announcement. These advisors will be authorized access to only those portions of the technical proposal data and discussions that are necessary to enable them to provide specific technical advice on specific matters, or on particular problems. (0317)

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