NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

A -- REVOLUTIONARY AERO-SPACE ENGINE RESEARCH" (RASER) PROGRAM SOL GRC-RASER-SmallBusinessInterest DUE 062800 POC Carl L. Silski, Small Business Officer, Phone (216) 433-2786, Fax (216) 433-5489, Email Carl.L.Silski@grc.nasa.gov -- Albert A. Spence, Contracting Officer, Phone (216) 433-2797, Fax (216) 433-6624, Email Albert.A.Spence@grc.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=22#GRC-RASER-SmallBusinessInterest. E-MAIL: Carl L. Silski, Carl.L.Silski@grc.nasa.gov. SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS "REVOLUTIONARY AERO-SPACE ENGINE RESEARCH" (RASER) PROGRAM To determine the appropriate level of competition and/or subcontracting goals in the RASER program, the NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking capability statements from small, small disadvantaged (SDB), women-owned small (WOB), HUB Zone small businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Educational Institutions (OMEI). BACKGROUND The primary components of the RASER program are (1) the Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) program which addresses two of the most critical propulsion issues -- performance/efficiency and reduced emissions; (2) the Base Research and Development program which seeks to maintain superiority of U.S. engine technology that will ensure long term environmental compatibility of engine systems while improving safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness of global air transportation systems; (3) the Space Transportation program which aims to demonstrate and verify advanced air breathing and rocket engine technologies that is a part of NASA's on-going, long-term aerospace research program addressing a wide variety of propulsion issues; and (4) the High Performance Super Computing and Communications (HPCC) program which aims to demonstrate computing tools necessary for designing aerospace vehicle propulsion systems. We expect program objectives to be met by the awarding of several contracts and the concomitant issuance of completion-task delivery orders for such efforts as analytical and experimental investigations under those contracts. On May 9, 2000, NASA Glenn announced it was in the process of planning for the RASER requirement, which included efforts under the four component areas. The majority of responses, due May 26, to that announcement were from prospective large companies wanting to be prime contractor participants. Consequently, NASA Glenn continues to seek interest from the small business community for not only subcontracting opportunities but perhaps a prime contracting opportunity as well, should strong priming capability become apparent. On January 28, 2000, NASA Glenn had also announced it was seeking interest from small business to determine the appropriate level of subcontracting goals and/or potential participation in the UEET program. Those responses, which addressed capabilities in systems integration and assessment; NOx emissions reductions; highly-loaded turbomachinery; high-performance materials and structures; and propulsion airframe integration, have come in and have been reviewed. Therefore, at this time, we are no longer seeking further responses in those areas. WHAT WE ARE NOW SEEKING Capabilities now being sought include those applicable to the remaining portion of the RASER program. These include the following eight focus areas: Intelligent Propulsion Controls, Low Noise Propulsion Technologies, Pulse Detonation Engine Technology, Auxiliary Power Systems, Combined Cycle Propulsion Systems, Propulsion Systems Design Tools, Integrated Component Technology Demonstrations, and Cross-cutting Technologies. 2.1.5 Intelligent Propulsion Controls Advanced algorithms, actuators, sensors and instrumentation will be developed for application in closed and open-loop control algorithms for fans, compressors, combustors, turbines and exhaust nozzles to increase engine performance, reduce emissions and control instabilities. These algorithms will include adaptive control logic, neural networks and fuzzy logic technologies. 2.1.6 Low Noise Propulsion Technologies Advanced noise reduction concepts will be developed to reduce the perceived noise levels of future aircraft by a factor of two within ten years and by a factor of four within 25 years. Emphasis will be on reducing engine inlet and fan noise, engine jet noise, engine core noise and propulsion/airframe aero acoustic noise. Technology demonstrations will include rig, engine and flight tests. 2.2 Pulse Detonation Engine Technology Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) Technology includes establishing the feasibility of pulse detonation engine-based hybrid cycle and combined cycle propulsion systems for achieving NASA's aviation and access to space goals. The approach is to combine emerging pulse detonation engine technology with other more conventional engine cycles to evolve new propulsion systems that take advantage of the thermodynamic efficiency benefits of near-constant volume combustion while overcoming the deficiencies of "pure" pulse detonation engines. PDE efforts include "clean sheet" system designs of pulse detonation propulsion systems, component and system analyses inclusive of high-frequency unsteady phenomena, design of robust components for the detonation environment, and the fabrication and "breadboard" testing of appropriately scaled PDE components and systems. 2.3 Auxiliary Power Systems The objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept lightweight, low-costs, and high reliability advanced electrical power generation for use in a reusable launch vehicle(RLV) system. Future launch vehicles are envisioned as being all-electric vehicles with power for all on-board requirements including electric actuators for valves and flight controls that are provided by the advanced electrical power generation system. Technology efforts are intended to demonstrate that the electrical power generation system and the associated ground service equipment will contribute significantly to reducing payload launch costs to hundreds rather than thousands of dollars per pound, increasing reliability (safer and longer life), and reducing maintenance and operation costs. 2.5 Combined Cycle Propulsion Systems Combined Cycle Propulsion Systems encompass innovative ideas, applications of computational and experimental techniques, and hardware support and fabrication that will facilitate the integration of propulsion cycles and components into engine systems such as "Rocket Based Combined Cycles" (RBCC), "Turbine Based Combined Cycles" (TBCC), and other cutting-edge hypersonic air breathing cycles. Also included is innovative system-oriented research that supports development and/or enables advanced hypersonic engine technologies that could impact the design and optimization of future air-breathing hypersonic vehicles for both launch vehicle applications and cruise. This research includes: 1) advanced lightweight, actively cooled and passively cooled high-temperature materials, 2) innovative structural architectures and fabrication techniques, and 3) improved life prediction techniques to reduce required design margins. Also included in this research are advanced controls, advanced instrumentation, and advanced actuators necessary to bring RBCC's, TBCC's, and cutting-edge hypersonic cycles to fruition. 2.6 Propulsion Systems Design Tools Design tools include the development of rapid synthesis and simulation tools for cost and risk management technology, collaborative engineering environment, and life-cycle integration and validation. Design and simulation tools will cover the full life cycle of engines, including design, manufacturing and operations and maintenance. The knowledge learned from higher-fidelity simulation tools will be made available to the designer earlier in the design cycle to reduce hardware test iterations and cost. Multi-disciplinary and probabilistic analysis tools will be developed and applied to model effects of materials properties variations, geometric deflections and clearance changes due to aerodynamic, structural and thermal loads. Multi-fidelity analysis tools and environmental simulation tools will be developed to simulate engine performance and emissions. High fidelity simulation applications will be run on parallel computing platforms to reduce the computing turnaround time. Advanced design tools are intended to increase design confidence and reduce risk and development time of aerospace engines. 2.7 Integrated Component Technology Demonstrations NASA has requirements for engine demonstrations of advanced technologies that will enable revolutionary reductions in emissions and noise with increased operating efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. These Integrated Component Technology Demonstrations will be implemented as completion task orders to be issued by NASA over the life of this contract. The objective of the Integrated Component Technology Demonstration (ICTD) task is to perform engine system validation of component technologies, thereby increasing them to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 for effective transition into the fleet. This demonstrator engine program may utilize the results of previous and on-going Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) propulsion system work to focus on the most beneficial technologies for reducing CO2 and NOx emissions. This task will incorporate selected technologies into existing engines with appropriate modifications. Technologies that are specifically targeted for engine demonstrations include Low NOx Combustors, Highly Loaded Turbomachinery, Materials and Structures for High Performance and Intelligent Propulsion Controls. 2.8 Cross-Cutting Technologies The objectives of this task is to develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept lightweight, low-cost, and high reliability advanced rocket propulsion systems for second and third generation reusable launch vehicles (RLV). These future RLV's are envisioned as highly reliable, inexpensive-to-operate vehicles. As such, rocket engine technology incorporated in these vehicles must support these objectives. Technology efforts are intended to demonstrate that the new rocket engine system technologies for OMS, RCS and orbital transfer stages can contribute significantly to the RLV goals of reduced payload launch costs of hundreds rather than thousands of dollars per pound to low earth orbit, high reliability (safer and longer life), and reduction in maintenance and operation costs. REQUESTED RESPONSE All interested small businesses, SDB's, WOB's, HUB Zone small businesses, HBCU's, and OMEI's, which have experience or capability in any or all of the eight specific focus areas described above, are invited to respond. A small business or school need not be qualified in all eight areas to be considered. Responses should be limited only to the focused areas described. Responses should be limited to no more than NINE pages, i.e., one page per focus area. These pages should consist of (1) a COVER letter which briefly describes your company or school, succinctly addressing, but not necessarily limited to, the number of years in business (or operating your program), annual sales over your last three business years, the number of employees you have now and over your last three business years, and your demographics, e.g., WOB, SDB, etc.; and (2) ONE page each for capability/experience demonstration for each or any of the eight focused areas your organization feels qualified in. Make sure to identify your interested focus area(s) at the top of the respective page. You need not respond to all the focused areas, but to only those you have capability in. Also, please provide your e-mail address in your cover letter. Interested respondents should submit their capability responses to Carl L. Silski, NASA Glenn Small Business Officer, 21000 Brookpark Road, Mail Stop 500-313, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. They may also be e-mailed to Carl.L.Silski@grc.nasa.gov or faxed to 216-433-5489. Inquiries of a general nature may be directed to Carl Silski at 216-433-2786 or to Dr. Sunil Dutta (HBCU/OMEI program manager) at 216-433-8844. Inquiries of a technical nature may be made to Edwin Graber at 216-433-5900 or Albert Spence at 216-433-2797. Responses should be submitted no later than June 28, 2000. Responses received after this date may not be considered. ANTICIPATED PLAN The NASA RASER Team will review all responses. Once screened, those companies or schools making the first "cut" may be contacted for further detailed information and/or invited to a small business "forum" at the NASA Glenn Research Center for more one-on-one dialogue about the program. This "forum" -- while not yet certain -- may be planned for possibly August 1, 2000. The forum may also provide an opportunity for companies and/or schools to interact and form business relationships. Please note that this synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Further, the RASER Program will not be financially responsible for information solicited or travel expenses incurred. Posted 06/12/00 (D-SN463838). (0164)

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