SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- HEAVY LAUNCH AND PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY
- Notice Date
- 5/4/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall SpaceFlight Center, AL 35812
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- RFI05042010PS40
- Response Due
- 5/21/2010
- Archive Date
- 5/4/2011
- Point of Contact
- Melinda E. Dodson, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-961-7454, Fax 256-961-7524, Email Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Melinda E. Dodson
(Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This notice is issued by the NASA/MSFC to post a Request for Information for HeavyLaunch and Propulsion Technology via the internet, and solicit responses from interestedparties. Heavy Launch and Propulsion Technology - Request for InformationI.Background/ObjectiveNASA is initiating an innovative new path for space exploration which strengthens thetechnical capability to extend human and robotic presence throughout the solar system.NASA is taking a new approach to this long-term goal: by strengthening the technologydevelopment and propulsion system ground work to enable exploration of multiple potentialdestinations, including the Moon, asteroids, Lagrange points, and Mars and its environs.This strategic approach is designed to more efficiently further and sustain the course ofhuman exploration. NASA is in the planning phase to develop strategies that will lead to a new U.S.developed chemical propulsion engine for a multi-use Heavy Launch Vehicle(s);demonstration of in-space chemical propulsion capabilities; and significant advancementin space launch propulsion technologies. The ultimate objective is to develop chemicalpropulsion technologies to support a more affordable and robust space transportationindustry including human space exploration. II. Technical Requirements a.First-Stage Launch Propulsion: NASAs efforts in this area will focus ondevelopment of a U.S. LOX/RP rocket engine with a minimum thrust of 1M lbs applicable tomultiple users in the first stage of future launch vehicles to include a futureheavy-lift rocket. In every aspect of the design, NASA will seek to incorporate featuresthat will reduce manufacturing, production, and operating costs for this engine and totallaunch system costs. b.In-Space Engine Demonstration: NASA will initiate development and flight testingof in-space engines. Areas of focus will include low-cost liquid oxygen/methane andliquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines applicable to multiple users for different in-spaceapplications. NASA will seek to incorporate features that will reduce manufacturing,production, and operating costs for this engine and total launch and space transfersystem costs.c.Foundational Propulsion Research: NASA will perform foundational research inchemical propulsion technologies in areas such as new or largely untested propellants,advanced propulsion materials and manufacturing techniques, combustion processes, andengine health monitoring and safety. NASA will engage industry and academia with thegoal of encouraging a broad range of innovative approaches focusing on cost andreliability. This effort will develop the next generation of scientists and engineers inthe space launch propulsion arena. III. Market Research NASA strives to develop a comprehensive acquisition approach to invest in enablingtechnologies and provide new chemical propulsion engines. Industry involvement early inthe development phase is essential for NASA to formulate a strategy to meet the nationalobjectives of developing future chemical propulsion systems that are both affordable andused by multiple customers. Any resulting acquisition approach will utilize theseguiding principles: a.Affordabilityb.Satisfy multiple customersc.Maximize competition d.Procure appropriate intellectual propertye.Leverage existing programs f.Apply the appropriate set of performance measures and incentives. g.Leverage existing industry programs. h.Review all requirements from a zero-based approach. i.Maximize the use of small businesses V. InputsUsing the information above with the overall goal to provide low-cost chemical propulsiontechnologies and ultimately engines that will serve multiple customers, industry,academia, Internationals and other non-Government research organizations are invited toprovide inputs in the following specific areas: 1.First Stage Launch Propulsion a.Provide information regarding your potential launch or space transportationarchitectures that could meet multiple customer needs (e.g. NASA, DoD, and Commercial). Describe potential reference missions and any known barriers that NASA canreduce/eliminate through technology insertion; sharing of information, sharing offacilities; etc. b.Provide your top level requirements including: affordability (low life cyclecost); safety (minimize catastrophic failures, loss of vehicle, etc,) and performance(thrust, ISP, throttle range if any, mass, etc.). Provide rationale as to how theserequirements were derived. c.Describe your approach to develop a high thrust LOX/RP engine, includingpotential use of precursor or prototype engine testing for multiple vehicle applications(to include non-Government) at an affordable cost, no later than 2020.d.Identify how you would integrate this engine into a vehicle system at anaffordable cost through test programs, ground demonstrations, and flight demonstrations. e.Identify strategies to lower both fixed and variable costs to include reducedoverhead; improved manufacturing processes; lower staffing; and elimination/tailoring ofspecific Government requirements. Describe methods to effectively manage to a lower perproduction unit cost (lot buys, design to cost, cost incentive structures,non-traditional business arrangements, anticipated business, sensitivity to businessbase, for example). f.Describe how you would leverage any existing efforts to include hardware,designs, analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedule.2.In-space Engine Demonstrationa.Provide information regarding your potential launch or space transportationarchitectures that could meet multiple customer needs (e.g. NASA, DoD, and Commercial). Describe potential reference missions and any known barriers that NASA canreduce/eliminate through technology insertion; sharing of information, sharing offacilities; etc. b.Provide your top level requirements including: affordability (low life cyclecost); safety (minimize catastrophic failures, loss of vehicle, etc,) and performance(thrust, ISP, throttle range if any, mass, etc.). Provide rationale as to how theserequirements were derived. c.How would you develop and/or demonstrate LOX/CH4 and LOX/H2 engines for multiplevehicle applications (to include non-Government) for in-space applications at anaffordable cost? Identify strategies to lower both fixed and variable costs to includereduced overhead; improved manufacturing processes; lower staffing; andelimination/tailoring of specific Government requirements. Describe methods toeffectively manage to a lower per production unit cost (lot buys, design to cost, costincentive structures, non-traditional business arrangements, anticipated business,sensitivity to business base, for example). d.Describe how you would leverage any existing efforts to include hardware,designs, analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedule. Describeapproaches for low-cost flights that demonstrate relevant critical capabilities.e.Describe design reference missions and need dates specific to the differentengines.3. Foundational Propulsion Researcha.Provide general areas where you believe gaps exist in chemical propulsiontechnologies that could lead to game changing breakthroughs in mission affordability andcapability. Chemical propulsion technologies include discipline focused research intosuch things as materials, manufacturing, combustion processes, and propellant chemistry,and other propulsion system elements (such as tanks, valves, feed lines, healthmanagement). Identify strategies for insertion of these technologies in new propulsionsystems and also how to make them available to the Industry for multiple uses.b.Describe methods to effectively manage the strategies for technology insertions,including non-traditional business arrangements.c.Identify how you would plan to bring existing mid-level Technology ReadinessLevels (TRLs) to operational levels at an affordable cost through test programs, grounddemonstrations, and flight demonstrations. d.Describe how you would envision working with multiple customers (include DoD,NASA, and commercial) to identify top priority technologies and their associated payoffs.e.Describe approaches for encouraging and developing the next generation ofscientists and engineers in the space launch propulsion arena through outreach,partnerships, and direct involvement in the technology program.f.Describe how you would leverage any existing efforts to include hardware,designs, analysis, and facilities to save cost and accelerate schedule. Identify anyexisting assets in which you require or obtain benefit to support the technologymaturation in a timely, affordable, and efficient manner. 4. Program and Business ManagementNASA is seeking Industry inputs into methods to manage these programs to includeeffective and affordable business practices. a.Describe processes for the overall management of the program to most effectivelydevelop propulsion systems and technologies.b.How would you propose to participate in systems analysis and assessments?c.How would you propose to serve an advisory capacity for the program providinginput on content and objectives and evaluation of performance and results? d.Identify barriers to competition and mitigation strategies. e.Discuss procurement approaches to include alternative business arrangements.f.Discuss effective methods of utilizing international partnerships whilemaintaining appropriate safeguards to U.S. developed technologies. g.Recommend process improvements and efficiencies, both in the acquisition phase aswell as the performance phase, along with identification of non-value added steps. VII. Summary The information obtained will be used by NASA for planning and acquisition strategydevelopment. NASA will use the information obtained as a result of this RFI on anon-attribution basis.Providing data and information that is limited or restricted foruse by NASA for that purpose would be of very little value and such restricted/limiteddata/information is not solicited. No information or questions received will be postedto any website or public access location. NASA does not plan to respond to theindividual responses, but will provide an update to development and acquisition plans.This RFI is being used to obtain information for planning purposes only and theGovernment does not presently intend to award a contract. As stipulated in FAR15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted bythe Government to form a binding contract. This RFI is subject to FAR 52.215-3. Inputsshall be compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements concerning limitations onexport controlled items.All responses should be provided in MS Word document format via electronic media. Fontshould be Times New Roman, size 12. Responses should not exceed 50 pages total. Responses are requested to be submitted in Microsoft Office products in a user friendlyenvironment to facilitate review. One hard copy and 3 CDs or DVDs are requested. Please submit responses no later than May 21, 2010, to NASA/MSFC Office of Procurement,Attn: PS52/Melinda E Dodson, Contracting Officer, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812or via e-mail at melinda.e.dodson@nasa.gov. Additional questions should also be providedto Melinda E Dodson via e-mail.When responding please reference RFI05042010PS40An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note 'B'.Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
- Web Link
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