NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

V -- ALTERNATE ACCESS TO STATION STUDY SOL RFI-04-26-2000 DUE 050300 POC Betty C. Kilpatrick, Contract Specialist, Phone (256) 544-0310, Fax (256) 544-4080, Email betty.kilpatrick@msfc.nasa.gov -- George E. Pendley, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-2949, Fax (256) 544-2812, Email george.pendley@msfc.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=62#RFI-0 4-26-2000. E-MAIL: Betty C. Kilpatrick, betty.kilpatrick@msfc.nasa.gov. This notice supersedes and replaces the Request for Information RFI-04-21-2000 issued by MSFC on April 21, 2000. THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center is hereby soliciting information on potential sources interested in conducting studies of an Alternate Access to Station (AAS) service. THIS STUDY SHALL BE SET ASIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center for comments and statements of interest in the AAS study. THIS RFI SOLICITS INPUT FROM THE EMERGING COMMERCIAL LAUNCH VEHICLE SERVICE PROVIDER COMMUNITY. The International Space Station (ISS) nominally utilizes the Shuttle Transportation System (STS) or foreign launch systems to deliver cargo to the ISS. The foreign launch systems currently include or may use in the future the Russian Progress, ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), or the NASDA H II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) for re-supply. NASA is interested in studying potential augmentation of these re-supply methods with a United States (US) contingency capability utilizing emerging US based providers to meet ISS needs. This augmentation is envisioned to enhance ISS operability (e.g., selected payloads to relieve the Shuttle manifest) or meet critical station needs (e.g., launch on demand) in the event normal delivery methods are unavailable for some period of time. Potential US contingency re-supply service providers must be greater than 50% US owned and contain more than 50% US components to comply with current US statutory requirements. This notice is to seek industry comments and statements of interest about undertaking a study to examine the aforementioned contingency re-supply service for the ISS. The contingency re-supply services consist of two payload types: 1) Progress equivalent (heavy), and 2) unplanned small package/supply (light). The heavy payload mission would be available for launch in a response time to be defined by potential contractor capabilities. The light payload mission should have the capability to launch in a rapid response or emergency situation, i.e., within less than a week. The AAS service would encompass a number of major phases. These phases are the same for both the heavy and light payload missions, and are as follows: 1. Build up launch vehicle and integration of payload 2. Launch of the re-supply vehicle with payload to LEO 3. Phase maneuvers to Approach Ellipsoid (AE) of the station 4. Proximity operations within AE at station 5. Transfer of cargo into the station 6. Transfer of trash into the re-supply vehicle 7. Departure from ISS and controlled re-entry. NASA is considering the possibility of soliciting proposals from industry in Calendar Year 2000 for a study to assess the feasibility of a contingency ISS re-supply service. The current schedule indicates an AAS Study Request for Proposals (RFP) release in the May 2000 timeframe. The study results will be one part of a process (but not the only means) used to help develop an approach for an alternate access to station contingency re-supply services. NASA is interested in determining the number of potential study participants and any of their technical or performance issues. Comments regarding the AAS service as described above are also desired. Please forward all comments and statements of interest to this notice by May 3, 2000 to Mr. George E. Pendley at the following address: NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office/PS52-A, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the infromation solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to the identified point of contact. Posted 04/26/00 (D-SN449005). (0117)

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