NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 215, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- PARTICIPATION IN CETDP INVESTIGATION, "MANEUVERABLE LIGHTER-THAN-AIR PLATFORM FOR EARTH SCIENCE, PLANETARY SCIENCE, AND ASTROPHYSICS" SOL 730-68185-920 DUE 020200 POC Mary E. McKaig, Contract Specialist for Simplified Acquisition, Phone (301) 286-4240, Fax (301) 286-1720, Email Mary.E.McKaig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#730-68185-920. E-MAIL: Mary E. McKaig, Mary.E.McKaig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for contractor participation in the Cross-Enterprise Technology Development Program (CETDP) investigation, "Maneuverable Lighter-Than-Air Platform for Earth Science, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics." This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/GSFC intends to acquire the support from Southwest Research Institute (SRI) in San Antonio, TX. SRI is uniquely qualified to do this concept study because of their extensive experience in developing, building, and successfully flying a stratospheric airship at 72,000 feet for the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center (JCCWC) under contract to the Department of Defense. A preliminary report on the CETDP concept design is due on June 1, 2000. It is important that this completion date be met. An extensive literature search, web search and, exhaustive network search was performed with fellow professionals at appropriate technical meetings. SRI is the only group that has done a successful flight of a maneuverable airship at the high altitude. They have developed unique and proprietary software for design and performance modeling of stratospheric airships similar to the platform proposed in "A Maneuverable Lighter-Than-Air Platform Concepts for Earth Science, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics." They have accumulated a large repository of design data on propulsion designs for such a stratospheric airship. In addition, they also have built unique facilities for testing and assembling an airship. SRI is an integral member of the team identified in the subject proposal. The proposal was developed based upon the unique experience that SRI brings to the team, which will enable culmination of the design studies in an expedient manner. The time delay required to bring any other company up to the level of competence currently held by SRI would preclude timely successful completion of the proposed effort. The time required for another company to develop the knowledge base and tools inherent within SRI would constitute an unacceptable program delay. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications, with respect to being able to provide this type of support, in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on January 31, 1999. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications ARE 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". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 01/12/00 (D-SN415563). (0012)

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