The President’s Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy forwarded its report “A Journey to Inspire, Innovate, and Discover” to the President on June 4, 2004. In that report, the Commission made a number of recommendations concerning the future missions and structure of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The report can be viewed electronically at http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/60736main_M2M_report_small_pdf .
In Recommendation 5-1, the Commission recommends NASA aggressively use its contractual authority to reach broadly into the commercial and nonprofit communities to bring the best ideas, technologies, and management tools into the accomplishment of exploration goals. The Commission noted that if the Vision for Space Exploration is to succeed in an affordable, credible and sustainable way, it must access as much private sector technology as possible. The Commission also stated that an increase in the number and variety of commercial companies working in the field of space would vastly increase the processes and materials available for space exploration. The Commission spoke favorably of mechanisms to encourage private sector involvement in space such as prizes, tax incentives, regulatory relief, and settlement of property rights in space.
NASA is interested in receiving comments and ideas from all sources regarding possible effective and efficient steps that may be taken to implement this recommendation. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) and ideas may lead to a decision to compete study contracts or other follow-on work to implement this recommendation.
Questions concerning this RFI may be submitted via email no later than August 27, 2004, 5:00 PM EDT to Mr. L. W. Bailets at lbailets@nasa.gov.
Responses to this RFI should be sent to Mr. Thomas Luedtke at the address shown below. Responses are due September 13, 2004. Respondents shall provide an electronic submission to the email address given above in addition to the hard copy submission to the address below. Responses are limited to 20 pages. An executive summary shall be included as a part of your 20 page response.
Responses may be sent to:
Mr. Thomas S. Luedtke
Director of Procurement
Procurement Directorate
NASA Headquarters
300 E Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20546
This document is for information and planning purposes. This document is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. Respondents will not be notified of the results.
