Loren Data's SAM Daily™

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF DECEMBER 22, 2023 SAM #8060
SPECIAL NOTICE

16 -- Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS)

Notice Date

12/20/2023 2:19:04 PM
 

Notice Type

Special Notice
 

NAICS

336415 — Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

NASA MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER HUNTSVILLE AL 35812 USA
 

ZIP Code

35812
 

Response Due

1/4/2024 1:00:00 PM
 

Archive Date

01/19/2024
 

Point of Contact

Beth Winfield, Faith Hernandez
 

E-Mail Address

beth.a.winfield@nasa.gov, faith.e.hernandez@nasa.gov
(beth.a.winfield@nasa.gov, faith.e.hernandez@nasa.gov)
 

Description

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a requirement for additional work within scope related�to the design, development, test, and evaluation of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) first stage solid�rocket motor and Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system, and a second solid rocket motor system�(including spin and de-spin motors). Also included is the acquisition of materials to support�flight tests. This effort is required to meet program launch date. NASA/MSFC intends to issue future modifications to contract number 80MSFC21C0010, awarded Mar 04,�2021, to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 6.302-1�required to supply the first and second stage rocket motors for the MAV. Throughout the history of NASA Mars missions using solid propulsion, NGSC is the only contractor to�provide these motors. NGSC is the only solid propulsion provider with data on solid propellant�samples from long-term exposure to the space environment, and NGSC�s deceleration motor on the�Magellan Spacecraft used solid propulsion to successfully fire after being in space for more than�15 months. NGSC has a proprietary propellant for the MAV mission that has been used on three other�Mars Missions (Mars Exploration Rover: Spirit; Mars Exploration Rover: Opportunity; and Mars�Pathfinder). The first stage motor for MAV employs Thrust Vector Control (TVC). NGSC is also the�only domestic contractor who has flight experience with Supersonic Split Line (SSSL) nozzle�concepts. Due to the long Mars surface duration, extremely low temperatures, near vacuum ambient�pressure, and prevalent dust, a Super Sonic Split Line (SSSL) was selected for which NGSC has the�most experience in design and implementation. In response to a MAPS RFI dated September 16, 2019,�NGSC described a detailed compliance approach for each of the TVC requirements quoted in the RFI�with a SSSL design. They showed a clear understanding of the TVC technical issues. They reported�having a flight proven SSSL system as part of the Multi-Mission Propulsion Technology (MMMPT),�MOKV, MK103, and Dream Chaser. NGSC has the greatest experience with design and flight for SSSL�nozzle vector designs. Development of this design has been underway since the contract was awarded�and testing has been successful to date raising the SSSL TRL from 5 to 6. The MAV development, design, and manufacture process to date has been tailored to the selected�propellant Carboxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (CTPB) binder propellant designated TP-H-3062, a�proprietary formulation belonging to NGSC. This propellant is the only solid propellant with proven�flight experience on previous Mars missions. The motor systems will be exposed to extremely low�temperatures while having long non-operation storage time requirements on the order of 10-years.�TP-H-3062 is the only propellant with the material properties required. Other propellant concepts�were considered, but development and testing of a new propellant typically requires 5 years while�maintaining a risk that the resulting propellant will not meet requirements. The Mars Pathfinder�and Mars Exploration Rover Rocket Assisted Descent flight histories provide relevant data and�proven performance for this propellant on similar Mars missions. Considering these factors, this�propellant is at a Test Readiness Level (TRL) 8, which is higher than any other propellant. Based on NGSC�s knowledge and experience with its proprietary propellant, along with design and�testing of the SSSL TVC, it is in the Government�s best interest to continue forward work with�NGSC. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort�electronically via email to Beth Winfield at beth.a.winfield@nasa.gov not later than 3:00 P.M. Central Standard Time on�January 4, 2024. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of�determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by�the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon�responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be�found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf
 

Web Link

SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/431766a1e1444862895c91f38345fd6a/view)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Elkton, MD 21921, USA

Zip Code: 21921

Country: USA
 

Record

SN06918102-F 20231222/231220230043 (samdaily.us)
 

Source

SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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