18 -- AUXILIARY INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM UPGRADE ACQUISITION

Notice Date

October 25, 2001

Contracting Office

United Space Alliance (USA), 600 Gemini Avenue, Houston, TX 77058

ZIP Code

77058

Solicitation Number

USM-081-AMF-01

Response Due

November 16, 2001

Point of Contact

Cheryl A Linville, Subocntract Administrator, Phone (281) 282-4161, Fax (281) 282-4065, Email cheryl.a.linville@usahq.unitedspacealliance.com -- Alan M Fuller, Project Lead for Upgrades Subcontracts Mgmt., Phone (281) 282-5621, Fax (281) 282-5811, Email alan.m.fuller@usahq.unitedspacealliance.com

E-Mail Address

Cheryl A Linville (cheryl.a.linville@usahq.unitedspacealliance.com)

Description

Auxiliary Instrumentation System Upgrade Acquisition Overview United Space Alliance, LLC (USA) is providing this informational notice to assess interest from potential suppliers for a Space Shuttle Upgrades acquisition in support of the NASA Space Flight Operations Contract. The purpose of this acquisition is to acquire a digital acquisition system for integration and operational use on the Space Shuttle. USA is seeking a subcontractor or supplier team that has experience in the development, production, test, integration, and qualification for space operations and environments of solid state recording and digital signal processing. This supplier, working in an Integrated Product Team environment with USA, must be capable of system requirements refinement and allocation to the end-item level; analysis to insure proper system operation and integration; development of teaming arrangements with other suppliers and vendors where necessary; manufacturing, testing and integrating system components at the system level; and working with vehicle and ground systems test and integration teams. This supplier will support but will not be responsible for vehicle integration activities. USA is responsible for the procurement activities, and coordinates the system upgrade acquisition activities with its customer, NASA. USA will be responsible for selection and subsequent oversight of the supplier team. The goal is to provide an upgraded system based on best overall value to NASA. This Best Value assessment will be based on an integrated evaluation of the proposed approach, proposal risk (technical, schedule, programmatic, cost), performance risk, and estimated cost (including lifecycle cost). Along with meeting the technical requirements, the supplier must understand and manage those factors that contribute to system lifecycle costs and impact project control milestones. The primary objective of the AIS program is to upgrade the existing hardware and software of the Space Shuttle Modular Auxiliary Data System (MADS) with a digital data acquisition system. The AIS will replace the MADS Control Module (MCM), System Control Module (SCM), Frequency Division Multiplexers (FDM s), and Orbiter Experiments (OEX) Tape Recorder systems. The purpose of the AIS is to receive, store, retrieve, and route non-mission critical data from existing MADS and OEX Orbiter subsystems as well as accommodate instrumentation data from other Orbiter systems, and future upgrade system projects. To insure the system goals of modularity, LRU and SRU sparing, Orbital Vehicle space savings, reliability, and growth, the AIS system and its functions shall be contained within the MMU LRU. This means that all AIS SRU hardware modules developed for this upgrades program shall be installed and integrated into the existing MMU VME chassis. Currently, the MMU LRU is comprised of the Orbiter Solid State Recorder (SSR) function which contains the Single Board Computer (SBC), SSR I/O module and associated Memory module that combine to replace the current Orbiter Operational Recorder (OPS) and Payload Recorder (PL) LRU s. Also, the MMU LRU contains the Solid State Mass Memory Unit (SSMM) which replaces the current tape-based design Mass Memory Unit LRU. This specification shall add the AIS function to the MMU which, combined with the MMU, will replace the current MADS/OEX System with a digital data acquisition and a control system. Potential upgrade suppliers are encouraged to propose the best upgrade solution based on value. A more detailed description of the upgrade objectives and constraints description may be obtained by contacting the Subcontract Administrator identified below. This informational synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor does its issuance restrict USA or the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. Neither USA nor the government will reimburse the contractor for any cost associated with preparing or submitting a response to this informational notice. Anticipated Contract Award is March 2002 with an early turn-on phase for Level-of-Effort for approximately 3 months with full Contract Award as an Option for the remaining scope in late May 2002. Anticipated Program period of performance is 2002 through 2006. A Request for Proposal is expected to be released by November 2, 2001. A bidders' conference is tentatively scheduled for November 16, 2001. Suppliers wanting to be kept informed on its status and to receive future correspondence related to the RFP should notify, in writing, the Buyer Procurement Representative identified below. Responses of Interest can be submitted at any time up through the Bidders Conference. Potential suppliers are cautioned that future dialog concerning this acquisition may be limited solely to those suppliers who respond to this notice.

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=73#99293)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011029/18SOL001.HTM (D-298 SN5115K1)