NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BE

18 -- X-38 RECHARGEABLE NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE AND LEAD ACID BATTERIES SOL 9-BE13-39-8-23P POC Krystine O. Bui, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4186, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email krystine.o.bui1@ jsc.nasa.gov -- Lisa Rea-Phillips, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-8395, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email lisa.r.phillips1@ jsc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/JSC/date.html#9-BE13-39-8-23P. E-MAIL: Krystine O. Bui, krystine.o.bui1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA/JSC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for X-38 rechargeable nickel metal hydride and lead acid batteries. The X-38 program is an activity to demonstrate key technologies associated with the development of the Crew Return Vehicle for the International Space Station. The X-38 will consist of a lifting body spacecraft and a Deorbit Propulsion Stage (DPS). The DPS provides on-orbit attitude control and 28V power for the CRV for up to 7 hours. After performing the deorbit burn, the DPS will be jettisoned to allow the CRV to re-enter. Thereafter, the vehicle will be powered by 28V nickel metal hydride batteries inside the CRV for 2 hours. Additionally, 270V lead acid batteries will power electromechanical actuators that move flight control surfaces and parachute risers for a 25 minute mission. Contractors are encouraged to submit a proposal for one or both battery chemistries. Each battery program will consist of a basic program followed by two options. The basic program will design, assemble, and meet the qualification requirement for a modular battery using a commercial cell design as the building block cell. The two cell designs are as follows: a) NiMH 4/3A cell (P/N TH-3500 from Toshiba or equal) b) Lead-acid Cyclon Tall D (P/N 0860-0004 from Hawker Energy Products or equal) In the basic program, the contractor shall deliver enough flight battery modules to satisfy a 7.2 kWh at 28V and a 4 kWh at 270V mission requirement prior to 10 months after contract start date. The first option consists of delivering another flight set of battery modules within 9 months of option start date for a second unmanned X-38 flight test. The second option consist of modifying the design, requalifying it, and providing up to 5 flight sets of batteries for the operational CRV. This option must be completed within 4 years of its start date. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The SIC Code and Size Standard are 3769 and 1000 employees, respectively. The DPAS Rating for this procurement is DO-C9. The provisions and clauses in the RFO and model contract are those in effect through FAC 97-04. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The anticipated release date of the RFO is on or about 4/2/98 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about 5/4/98. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See Internet Note "B". The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office Suite (Word 6.0, Excel 5.0, PowerPoint 4.0) format and will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The WWW address, or URL of the NASA/JSC Business Opportunities home page is http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/JSC/class.html. Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site and/or the CBD for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. (0077)

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