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

43 -- LIQUID OXYGEN PUMP FOR ORBITER UPGRADE SOL 9-BE13-89-8-44Q DUE 082198 POC Richard L. Rodriguez, Contract Specialist, Phone (281) 483-1869, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email richard.l.rodriguez1@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-BE13-89-8-44Q. E-MAIL: Richard L. Rodriguez, richard.l.rodriguez1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA/JSC plans to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a prototype liquid oxygen pump for orbiter upgrade. JSC is evaluating an upgrade to the existing Space Shuttle Orbiter s RCS and OMS propulsion systems. By purging the toxic propellants currently used and with LOX and ethanol, the non-toxic OMS/RCS prototype LOX pump is expected to improve safety, reduce ground operations cost, increase mission capability, and provide leverage for future exploration missions that will rely on oxygen based propulsion systems. The new system will maintain thermal control, conditioning the sub-critical LOX in the storage tanks and distribution system providing flow to the engines. Minimum performance requirements are for: A nominal 7 day orbiter mission is targeted. The LOX will be stored and distributed at 350 pounds per square inch, absolute (psia) and maintained at an average bulk temperature of between 165 degrees ranking and 185 degrees ranking. The high degree of sub-cooling is required to meet interface requirements for the OMS engine. To ensure a thermally well-mixed tank, an active mixing system will be required to provide circulation and ullage gas de-stratification within the storage tank. To preclude formation of hot pockets within the feed lines due to engine soakback and ambient heat leak, a re-circulation system will be required to maintain proper conditioning of the LOX in the distribution system. The prototype pump will be required to facilitate the tank mixing and feedline recirculation. The prototype pump, and ultimately, the flight design will emphasize LOX compatibility, incorporating materials and design practices to ensure a robust design insensitive to ignition and flammability in the presence of credible ignition mechanisms (i.e. friction and particle impact). The design will also require parent metal between the wetted portions of the pump and any electrical components that could become an ignition hazard. While the prototype pump may not require a thermally optimized design, the flight pump will be sensitive to thermal inefficiencies. Since the tank mixing system and recirculation system are expected to operate at a 2% to 5% duty cycle, excessive heat generation and transfer to the working fluid could result in an unacceptable rise in the bulk temperature of the LOX over a 7 day or longer mission. Similarly, excessive heat build-up during steady state operation and subsequent conduction into the fluid at the impeller region during extended shut-down periods could result in cavitation at start-up. Both of these effects must be minimized in the flight pump design. While the development may not necessarily be a thermally optimized design, its design should reflect a concept that could evolve into a more thermally efficient design with relatively minor modifications. All key technology areas that would be required for a flight performance design should be demonstrated on the prototype unit. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR PART 12. The SIC Code and Size Standard are __3769 and _1000, respectively. The DPAS Rating for this procurment is DO C9. The anticipated release date of RFQ 9-BE13-89-8-44Q is on or about 10 Aug 98 with an anticipated quote due date of on or about 21 Aug 98. All qualified responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered by the agency. 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, or 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 for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential quoters 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. Posted 08/07/98 (D-SN234304). (0219)

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