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

25 -- X-38/201 VEHICLE, CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE WRAPPED TILES SOL 9-BH3-75-0-06P DUE 050500 POC Genefer D. Brice, Contract Specialist, Phone (281) 483-3052, Fax (281) 483-2991, Email genefer.d.brice1@jsc.nasa.gov -- Carrie L. Ash, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4151, Fax (281) 483-2991, Email carrie.l.ash1@jsc.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=73#9-BH3-75-0-06P. E-MAIL: Genefer D. Brice, genefer.d.brice1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA/JSC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for 12 ceramic matrix composite (CMC) wrapped tiles for the X-38/201 vehicle. The tiles are to be utilized in an area of the X-38/201 vehicle above the body flaps which will be exposed to a combined convective and radiating heating environment resulting in a surface temperature of approximately 3100 degrees F. The CMC-wrapped tiles must be capable of surviving exposure to convective and radiative heating for one reentry cycle. They must also be able to withstand the launch and reentry vibroacoustic environment. NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Northrup Grumman Corp. Currently Northrup Grumman is the only company capable of fabricating this type of tile. They have proprietary process trade secrets relating to the design, fabrication, and assembly of the CMC-tiles, as well as the materials used. In addition Northrup Grumman has fabricated a similar tile for the Department of Defense use on the B-2 Bomber. This justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition under the authority of 10 U.S.C 2304 (c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 04/17/00 (D-SN445635). (0108)

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