This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Human & Robotic Technology TB-04-02 which was posted on June 29, 2004. You are notified that the following changes are made within this synopsis.
Posting of Questions and Answers (see below)
Revision to chart provided in Industry briefing regarding the Notice of Intent (NOI).
All referenced changes are incorporated into this synopsis and there will be no attachments.
The due date for responses is not extended.
Documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/HQ Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin;=04
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of the solicitation and any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).
Questions and Answers:
Q1 Is there a sample NOI proposal format that can be used for reference?
A1 Yes, the industry briefing NOI chart will be updated with additional detail and posted via synopsis modification.
Q2 Can images and other figures be included in the NOI and what font should be used for captions?
A2 No.
Q3 Will contracts awarded under the H&RT; BAA be subject to Section 305 of the Space Act and if so will NASA agree to provide the contractor with an advance waiver permitting the contractor to own the inventions it creates?
A3 Yes, an advance waiver may be requested after selection.
Q4 Will NASA consider issuing a draft release prior to scheduling any formal release?
A4 No, however updates to the June 18th industry briefing will be provided via synopsis modifications
Q5 Will NASA require contractor's employees to have security clearance prior to reporting for work?
A5 No
Q6 Where is the BAA and relevant information pertaining to the BAA located?
A6 It will be posted on the following website: https://naccsli1.msfc.nasa.gov/ExplorationPortal
Q7 Is participation open to U.S. contractor's employees who are not U.S. citizens?
A7 Participation of foreign persons will be subject to the clause 1852.225-70 Export Licenses, shown below, which will be incorporated into any resultant contract from the BAA EXPORT LICENSES(FEBRUARY 2000) (a) The Contractor shall comply with all U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730 through 799, in the performance of this contract. In the absence of available license exemptions/exceptions, the Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining the appropriate licenses or other approvals, if required, for exports of hardware, technical data, and software, or for the provision of technical assistance. (b) The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining export licenses, if required, before utilizing foreign persons in the performance of this contract, including instances where the work is to be performed on-site at [insert name of NASA installation], where the foreign person will have access to export-controlled technical data or software. (c) The Contractor shall be responsible for all regulatory record keeping requirements associated with the use of licenses and license exemptions/exceptions. (d) The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that the provisions of this clause apply to its subcontractors.(End of clause)
Q8 Will small business goals be uniformly applicable to all H&RT; program elements?
A8 Yes, the percentage goals will be the same. The proposed goals should meet or exceed 10 percent for Small Businesses broken down as 4 percent for Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB's); 2 percent for Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB's); 0.5 percent for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone Small Businesses; and 0.5 percent for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB)/Service.
Q9 Can a firm submit more than one NOI? In the Q&A; at Industry Days it suggests that a firm submitting more than one NOI may only be selected for proposals on one NOI.
A9 Yes, a proposer must submit one NOI per proposal.
Q10 Can proposers include people from NASA centers (as long as they are not civil servants) on an extramural NOI?
A10 Yes
Q11 Will NASA revise their cost requirements (+/-10%) for NOI submissions?
A11 See pre-solicitation synopsis dated June 29, 2004.
Q12 Will the tech maturation BAA be a single proposal with multiple technology areas or individual proposals for each technology area?
A12 Individual proposals for each technology area.
Q13 The Industry Day charts show the CE&R; BAA as being released on June 14th with an award date of September 1st and the H&RT; BAA is being released in July with an award date of October 1st. Is NASA considering aligning the release of the CE&R; BAA such that the release of the H&RT; BAA follows the submittal of the CE&R; BAA proposals?
A13 See the revised schedule for the release and award of both the CE&R; and H&RT; BAA posted June 29, 2004 via synopsis.
Q14 The BAA Synopsis from June 29, 2004 states, "The NAICS Code and size Standard are 541710 and 1,000 employees". Is this the definition of a small businesses and if so are companies larger than 1,000 employees excluded from proposing on the BAA?
A14 This is the size standard for what is classified as a small business, but does not restrict who can propose
Q15 How will the funding for Government Task Agreements (GTA) under the upcoming HR&T; BAA be handled?
A15 Internal to NASA
Q16 NASA is encouraging company's to cost share in the industry day charts, what is the incentive for a contractor to propose cost share?
A16 Cost sharing is permitted, but not required.
Q17 How will NASA evaluate the credibility of cost in proposals?
A17 Price analysis and cost analysis including technical evaluation.
Q18 Does NASA have funds have allocated for each of the five Advanced Technology Programs & Technology Maturation Programs? Is it possible that some of the areas will not receive funding?
A18 Allocation of funds will be determined by the selection process and there is expectation that all of the areas will receive funding.
Q19 If a contractor proposes on the CE&R; BAA will this in any way exclude them from proposing on the H&RT; BAA?
A19 No
Q20 What is meant by the range of TRL’s for element programs, for example TRL range of 3 to 6?
A20 The technology/system being proposed should start at approximately the lower end of the TRL range and finish at the upper end of the TRL range following completion of the BAA element project.
Anticipated Content for Notice of Intent (NOI):
(NOI is required before offeror can propose)
Content:
Project Title
Lead Individual & Co-Lead (s) (limit 3 people)
Relevant NASA Personnel and Organization
Lead Organization
H&RT; Program (i.e., AST or TM)
Primary Element Program (e.g. Advanced Materials and Structures)
Secondary Element Program (e.g. Advanced Space Platforms and Systems)
List of deliverables and frequency
Any Additional Participating NASA Centers and Other Collaborating Institutions, if applicable (non binding).
Brief Summary which will Serve as the Proposal Abstract
(750 words or less)
Description of technology proposed including goals and objectives.
Description of Technology development/maturation approach including technical challenges.
Impact of proposed technology to future exploration systems.
