A -- TEAMING OPPORTUNITY FOR A MARS AERIAL PLATFORM SCOUT MISSION (MARS)

Notice Date

October 10, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

ZIP Code

23681-0001

Response Due

October 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Richard J. Siebels, Contracting Officer, Phone (757) 864-2418, Fax (757) 864-6131, Email R.J.SIEBELS@larc.nasa.gov -- Mary Jane Yeager, Contracting Officer, Phone (757) 864-2473, Fax (757) 864-7709, Email M.J.YEAGER@larc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Richard J. Siebels (R.J.SIEBELS@larc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is performing a technical assessment to form the basis of a possible proposal for the NASA Office of Space Science Mars Scout opportunity. This assessment is focused on conducting scientific exploration of the planet Mars using an aerial platform. LaRC is seeking team members to participate in the development of the technical concept, proposal, and implementation of several mission elements. Specific mission areas where LaRC is seeking partners include design and development of the science instrumentation, the aerial platform, and the aeroshell. These elements will combine to achieve a unique and highly capable engineering platform to obtain critical Mars science measurements. Exploration of Mars is motivated by a desire to better understand the planet as a possible abode of past or present life, the evolution of the planet's climate, the geology of its surface and interior, and to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. Mars Scout missions are envisioned to be focused investigations of Martian biological, chemical and physical phenomena and processes. The Mars Scout mission opportunity was established to provide for innovative, rapid-response investigations with an entire mission cost of less than $300 million. Mars Scout investigations will be led by a Principal Investigator and will be comprised of scientists in partnerships, potentially involving NASA centers, academia, and industry. These teams will pursue missions of high scientific value utilizing observation platforms of their choice and design. The Mars Scout concept is defined in more detail in the following document: http://spacescience.nasa.gov/an/marsscoutsworkshop/rmsc_4_23-SEM.pdf The Scout call for proposals is performed through a NASA Office of Space Science Announcement of Opportunity (AO). The first Mars Scout AO is expected to be released no earlier than February 2, 2002 with final step-1 proposals due no earlier than May 2, 2002. Selections to proceed to Step 2 are anticipated to be complete in September 2002. Several proposals will be selected to proceed to step-2 (Phase A) with selection of the final Scouts mission expected in May 2003. The Phase-B development period is May 2003 to January 2004 and the Phase C/D development period is January 2004 to January 2007. The possible launch period is December 2006 through November 2007. The potential NASA LaRC Scout mission will address several critical objectives of NASA's Office of Space Science Strategic Plan. Science instrumentation may include, imaging, near-infrared spectroscopy, magnetometry, and mass spectrometry. Responses are solicited from all U.S. industries, academia, non-profit organizations, national laboratories, other government agencies, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers. If selected through this synopsis, each partner is expected to become a full member of the technical assessment, proposal development, and mission implementation team. Key technology areas where LaRC is seeking potential partners include the science instrumentation, aerial platform development, miniaturized electronic systems, guidance and navigation for preprogrammed flight, aeroshell development, high bandwidth communications systems, and innovative propulsion systems. LaRC anticipates issuing contracts or agreements to the providers of the entry system, aerial platform, and science instrumentation, provided the mission concept is selected for implementation. Interested parties may propose as a partner for any, all, or any combination of the key areas sought. Interested organizations shall provide a short synopsis (not to exceed 5 pages) addressing the criteria listed below. Proposals will be evaluated based on the listed criteria in order of importance. The criteria are defined as follows: (1) Relevant Experience and Past Performance: This criterion evaluates the proposer's relevant technical experience and past performance in similar development activities including control of cost and schedule. The proposer shall provide a description of relevant technical experience including a summary of significant achievements and technical, cost and schedule performance. Proposers should specifically discuss the relevance of their experience in reference to the design and development of aeroshells, aerial platforms, aerial platform systems, high bandwidth communications, and/or science instrumentation. (2) Technical Capability, Key Personnel and Facilities: This criterion evaluates the proposer's technical capability to perform the development proposed, the availability and adequacy of key personnel, and the availability and adequacy of facilities. The proposer shall describe the technical capability, facilities and key personnel available to support the proposal and mission development. LaRC will not reimburse organizations for the cost of submitting information in response to this synopsis. LaRC will not pay for technical assessment or proposal preparation costs incurred by team members. It is expected that the teaming organizations will participate actively in the proposal process and that selection of the proposal for mission implementation would result in contract(s) for the selected partners. This synopsis teaming opportunity does not represent a guarantee to selection of award of any contracts, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by NASA to pay for the information solicited. It is expected that partner(s) selected would provide conceptual designs, technical data, proposal inputs, schedule and cost estimates consistent with the NASA Scout guidelines as described in the AO. Organizations with expertise and interest in this opportunity may contact Mr. Brian D. Killough for additional technical information or Mr. Richard J. Siebels for procurement information. All responses shall be submitted electronically to: Mr. Brian D. Killough at b.d.killough@larc.nasa.gov or facsimile number (757) 864-4449 no later than COB Thursday, October 25, 2001. Technical Point of Contact Name: Brian D. Killough Organization: Earth and Space Science Technology Office Phone: 757-864-7047 FAX: 757-864-4449 Email: b.d.killough@larc.nasa.gov

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=23#99158)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011012/ASOL006.HTM (D-283 SN5103N6)