A -- PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL (PEMFC) POWER PLANT TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Notice Date

May 25, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

44135

Solicitation Number

RFO3-6165

Response Due

July 15, 2001

Point of Contact

Timothy C. Pierce, Contract Specialist, Phone (216) 433-2147, Fax (216) 433-5185, Email Timothy.C.Pierce@grc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Timothy C. Pierce (Timothy.C.Pierce@grc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GRC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for the development of PEMFC power plant technology for application in future 2nd Generation RLVs. The nature of the RLV application is a full spectrum of environments (ground, launch, space, return, and landing). These vehicles are envisioned to support more missions (both manned and un-manned) than the existing Shuttle fleet, and be capable of quick turn-around ground processing. The support of un-manned missions will require the PEMFC power plant to be capable of fully autonomous operation. At the present time, the power level for the PEMFC power plant is anticipated to be nominally 20 kW. The reactants for the fuel cell will be pure (propellant grade) hydrogen and oxygen. Significant progress by the commercial sector in the development of PEMFC technology has occurred over the last decade for automotive and residential markets. The highly competitive nature of the commercial sector results in extensive vendor competition and lower costs. Fuel cell technology to be developed for space applications will likely differ from commercial fuel cell technology, but NASA still wishes to leverage technology advancements in the commercial sector, both now and in the future. It is therefore required that the PEMFC power plant technology developed in this procurement be, to the maximum extent possible, a derivative of commercial hardware. This requirement applies to PEMFC stack technology as well as ancillary component technology, both of which are necessary for the development of a PEMFC power plant. PEMFC stack technology for this procurement has the further requirement of demonstrated stable performance using pure oxygen as the oxidant, rather than air. It is also required that the PEMFC power plant be designed as a modular configuration, resulting in the PEMFC stack and key ancillary components being separate, distinct assemblies. This modular design approach should also result in vendor competition and lower costs. In addition, it should improve maintainability and allow configurations resulting in higher power and/or operating voltage. Another key requirement of this procurement is that the organization performing the actual power plant integration be an experienced space hardware integrator, with demonstrated credentials of this capability. It is further required that the PEMFC power plant be designed for safe and reliable operation. There will be a basic contract with one option. The objective of the basic will be to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of PEMFC power plant technology to the breadboard level. The basic shall have a 16-month period of performance and is anticipated to be Firm Fixed-Price. Efforts performed during the basic include the design, fabrication, assembly, and test of a breadboard PEMFC power plant, culminating in the delivery to NASA of the breadboard power plant for independent testing and evaluation. The option, if exercised, will commence within 6 months after completion of the basic contract (following independent NASA testing and evaluation of the breadboard PEMFC power plant). The objective of this phase of the effort will be to advance the TRL of PEMFC power plant technology to the engineering model level. The option shall have a 21-month period of performance and is anticipated to be Cost-Plus-Fixed Fee. During the option, the Contractor will continue PEMFC power plant technology advancement by accomplishing the design, fabrication, assembly, and test of an engineering model PEMFC power plant, culminating in the delivery to NASA of the engineering model power plant for independent testing and evaluation. NASA plans on utilizing the design information and performance data developed under the resultant contracts to determine the applicability of PEMFC power plant technology for use in future 2nd Generation RLVs. Because the 2nd Generation RLV community includes a number of different contractors and NASA centers responsible for various RLV technologies, all of which have to be integrated into a functional vehicle, it is imperative that the resultant PEMFC contractors openly share design and performance data with the broader 2nd Generation RLV community, and vice versa. This should allow NASA, at the end of the PEMFC contract period of performance, to be in a position to assess the integration characteristics of the PEMFC power plant hardware within the RLV, and to determine the remaining Design, Development, Test, & Evaluation (DDT&E) required bringing PEMFC power plant technology to the flight hardware level. NASA GRC anticipates issuing multiple awards for the basic contract, and may exercise the option. NASA GRC expects to invest approximately $4.5 million for RFO3-6165 activities. NASA anticipates funding no more than $2 million in basic contracts. In no event, will any basic contract awarded exceed $1 million. Performance and design requirements for this procurement, as well as general 2nd Generation RLV goals, will be included with the Statement of Work in the RFO. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 54171 and 500 employees, respectively. The DPAS Rating for this procurement is DO-C9. The provisions and clauses in the RFO and model contract are those in effect through FAC 97-25. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The anticipated release date of the RFO is on or about June 15, 2001 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about July 15,2001. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B". The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office 97 format and will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GRC Business Opportunities home page is http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=C&pin=22 Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=22#RFO3-6165)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010530/ASOL006.HTM (D-145 SN50N1W9)