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

A -- ITERATIVE BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLIZAION (IBC) IN ISS MICROGRAVITY ENVIRONMENT -- CRYSTAL GROWTH CELL SOL 8-1-0-SD-RFIB3 DUE 071200 POC Todd A. Holloway, AST, FLIGHT ACTIVITY PLANNING, Phone (256) 544-2073, Fax (256) 544-5848, Email Todd.Holloway@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#8-1-0-SD- RFIB3. E-MAIL: Todd A. Holloway, Todd.Holloway@msfc.nasa.gov. THIS IS NOT A NOTIVE OF SOLICITATION. NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center is hereby soliciting comments, information and assessing the feasibility of developing an IBC Crystal Growth Cell Subsystem (CGCS). This request for Information (RFI) is being issued by NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center for industry comments, statements of interest and to evaluate the feasibility of developing space-based versions of crystal growth cell systems typically used in ground laboratories for macromolecule crystallization. This system would be a component of a space-based system for performing iterative biological crystallization experiments in the microgravity environment provided by the International Space Station (ISS). Companies who have existing crystal growth cell systems or fabricate, or have a demonstrable expertise which would enable them to design and fabricate, such units will be considered. Based on the result s of this evaluation NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for anIBC Crystal Growth Cell Subsystem (CGCS). An overview of the IBC concept and functional design may be viewed at the following URL: http://crystal.nasa.gov/procure/forecast/ Growth Cell capabilities shall include the ability to: -- Accommodate vapor diffusion, dialysis, and batch crystal growth methods -- Accept fluids dispensed from a robotic dispensing system -- Seal the growth cells from leakage following dispensing -- Be made of optical grade material and transparency at an area on each growth cell for in-situ viewing of the crystal growth process -- Accommodate opening of growth cell or access to the solution therein for the purpose of harvesting crystals -- Accommodate total volumes on the order of 0.5 ml per growth cell The IBC system is being developed in two stages, with basic capabilities ready for launch by April 2002 and subsequent additional capabilities ready for launch by December 2003. The IBC subsystems will initially be designed to operate in an ISS EXPRESS rack accommodation with possible migration to a dedicated International Standard Payload Rack at a later date. The design lifetime of IBC components is to be five years. A complete statement of work and flight unit specifications will be provided in a RFP. Interested firms have 28 days from the publication date of this synopsis on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS) and in the CBD to submit in writing the following information: 1. Qualifications/Capabilities 2. Existing products or systems which may be directly applicable or adaptable to provide the capabilities stated above 3. Proposed implementation approach (optional) 4. Rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs associated with developing an IBC FMDS (optional) All responsible sources may submit the requested information, which shall be considered by the agency. Responses received will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to proceed with issuing the RFP. A determination by the Government not to proceed with this proposed contract, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. This RFI is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as promote competition. Prospective offerors are invited to sumbit comments or questions to: NASA, SD45/Todd Holloway, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, no later than July 12, 2000. In responding reference 1-0-SD-RFIB3. Comments may be forwarded to Todd Holloway via electronic transmission (todd.holloway@msfc.nasa.gov) or by facsimile transmission (256) 544-5848. 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 System (NAIS). It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. This Request for Information is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information 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. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside on responses hereto. [OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT IS REQUIRED] An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B". Posted 06/14/00 (D-SN464876). (0166)

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