NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771

18 -- MARKET RESEARCH FOR THE RAPID II ACQUISITION SOL RapidII DUE 033199 POC Leif L. Grotos, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 286-7586, Fax (301) 286-0530, Email Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Sharon M. Collignon, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-9874, Fax (301)286-0530, Email Sharon.M.Collignon.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#RapidII. E-MAIL: Leif L. Grotos, Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information from COMMERICIAL ENTERPRISES THAT OWN OR BUY SATELLITES FROM THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is conducting market research for the recompetition of the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition (RSA). The RSA will award multiple Fixed-Priced/Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts for satellite core systems and all necessary design, development, fabrication, integration, test, launch support and on-orbit check-out and operations support to meet the Government's space science, earth sciences and technology needs. This information will be used to develop the terms and conditions for use in the re-competition of the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition. The acquisition may be conducted using FAR Part 12 "Acquisition of Commercial Items" procedures. The results of this RFI are expected to benefit both NASA and industry by allowing NASA to procure satellites in a more commericial manner. GSFC welcomes any information submitted by interested parties in response to this request. Specifically, please respond to the following: 1. Generally, what payment terms are agreed to in the commercial sector and what is a typical payment profile? 2. Are there any most favored customer, productivity improvement, and/or discount practices in the commercial sector? 3. Who is responsible for contracting the launch services and what are the typical Quality/Performance Assurance Requirements? 4. How is the risk of loss liability assigned? Do you have a preferred loss liability profile? 5. What sort of insight into the design, construction, and test of your satellite do you request and are you successful in obtaining such insight? 6. Are any audits or unique terms and conditions implemented to ensure delivery of a satellite that meets the requirements? 7. What are your typical inspection and acceptance provisions? 8. Are acquisitions conducted on a sole source or competitive basis and what is a typical cycle time to complete an acquisition? 9. Is insurance purchased? If so, who purchases it and generally how much does it cost? 10. Would you be willing to provide an example of your standard contract for satellites? 11. If you could change the way you acquire satellites, what would you change? If you would like to provide any other information associated with customary commercial practices in the satellite industry, please do so. Your help in answering these questions will be beneficial in conducting the upcoming re-competition of the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition. NASA GSFC plans to release a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for RSA in June 1999. A final RFP is expected to be released in July 1999 with proposals expected to be due in August 1999 and award of contracts in January 2000. Interested parties may submit information by February 19, 1999 to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Attn: Leif Grotos, Code 214.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771. For further information please contact,by phone or e:mail, Mr. Leif Grotos at 301-286-7586 or Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov or Mr. Ron Miller at 301-286-6331 or Ronald.A.Miller.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. Information submitted separately and apart from commercial brochures will be treated as proprietary, if so marked. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Posted 03/05/99 (D-SN305336). (0064)

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