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

16 -- THERMAL PROTECTION ABLATOR TEST ARTICLES SOL 98135ES2 DUE 061198 POC Caroline M. Root, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4140, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email caroline.m.root1@jsc.nasa.gov -- Caroline M. Root, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4140, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email caroline.m.root1@jsc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/JSC/date.html#98135ES2. E-MAIL: Caroline M. Root, caroline.m.root1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA/JSC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for thermal protection ablator test articles which are required to perform convective thermal tests of thermal protection conceptual designs. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Applied Research Associates, Inc. The purchase is supported by an approved justification for other than full and open competition pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1). Applied Research Associates has developed a proprietary process which takes advantage of modern manufacturing techniques to reinforce the material with imbedded fiber or fabric. This new heat-shield manufacturing process replaces existing processes that use either reinforcement honeycomb, monolithic slabs, or mosaics of ablator tiles. The method also ulitizes current computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing techniques to manufacture the material to the exact shape and thickness required, reducing installation time and assembly processing. This new innovative fabrication brings a major advancement in thermal-ablation performance and system reliability. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communicationsare 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 Internet Note "B". (0141)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0236 19980526\16-0016.SOL)