This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Human & Robotic Technology which was posted on Jun 29, 2004. You are notified that the following changes are made: Posting of additional Question and Answer and a revision to the BAA, Section II.3, "Guidelines for Foreign Participation"
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).
A link to briefing charts and further details on the Broad Agency Announcement is located at: https://naccsli1.msfc.nasa.gov/ExplorationPortal
1. Question/Answer
Q39. Will any system design tools that support these technology activities be measured on a similar TRL schedule, and is there an expectation of discussing the commercialization potential of these tools in these proposals similar to the way SBIRs technology solicitations are crafted?
A39. We are coordinating with our requirements office the details of developing a very strong systems design simulation base model that they have in mind. The development of this model is not part of this BAA. We are also in the process of developing a simulation based acquisition approach, which will be outlined in our system-engineering plan. The details are also not part of this BAA.
The detailed goals and objectives that are applicable to SBIR are somewhat different than the overall H&RT; portfolio. You should refer back to the formulation plan and take a careful look at the overarching goals and objectives and we are interested in assuring that the technology investments that we make in the pursuit of the exploration vision have good value to the U.S. economy. This BAA is not geared towards developing any commercial technology.
2. Revision to Foreign Participation.
“At NASA's pre-solicitation conference on July 29, 2004, and in the days following this event, NASA received questions concerning the procedures for considering foreign funded proposals. To avoid misinterpretation of our intent, NASA has clarified this language in response to these questions. This clarification can be found at section II.3, Guidelines for Foreign Participation."
The text of this change is as follows:
II. Eligibility Information
3. Guidelines for Foreign Participation
A key challenge for NASA is to develop new capabilities in a manner that is flexible in order to incorporate new technologies, as well as agile in order to respond to scientific discoveries. Based upon the complexity of the enabling research and technology necessary to support affordable and sustainable Moon and Mars exploration, NASA seeks the broadest possible industry participation and competition in response to this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for research and technology. This is in order to meet the needs of Exploration System’s stated strategy and objectives for incremental (spiral) development, and to address technology gaps in a timely manner as described herein. In order to obtain the most innovative and potentially most effective research and technology from the broadest array of sources, NASA has approved a deviation to the NASA FAR Supplement 1835.016-70 entitled, “Foreign participation under broad agency announcements.” This deviation, which applies to this BAA only, allows NASA to provide direct funding to foreign entities without requiring a waiver by the Office of External Relations (OER).
In keeping with NASA’s goal to seek the broadest participation and competition possible, NASA will continue to consider proposals with foreign sponsorship as outlined in subsection (3) below. The deviation referenced in the paragraph above does not change the process that proposals with foreign sponsorship should follow.
Specific requirements for OER approval, are still required, and are outlined below.
OER will review for eligibility for selection, all foreign proposals and U.S. proposals with foreign participation, to ensure consistency with all applicable statutes, regulations, Executive Orders and policies governing export control, non-proliferation, and trade. Trade policy review will include trade policies of the foreign participant’s Government concerning U.S. firms and intellectual property rights.
The following requirements apply to foreign proposals and U.S. proposals that include foreign participation:
(1) All foreign proposals must be typewritten in English and comply with all other submission requirements stated in this BAA. All foreign proposals will undergo the same evaluation and selection process as those originating in the U.S., except as noted herein.
(2) The Office of Exploration Systems will contact successful and unsuccessful foreign entities. Copies of these letters will be sent to the foreign sponsor in the case of foreign government endorsed proposals and foreign sponsored U.S. proposals that include foreign participation.
(3) Should a foreign government sponsored proposal or a joint U.S.-foreign proposal with foreign sponsored participation, be selected, NASA's Office of External Relations will arrange with the foreign sponsor for the proposed participation on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, in which NASA and the foreign sponsoring agency will each bear the cost of discharging their respective responsibilities. Depending on the nature and extent of the proposed cooperation, these arrangements may entail:
· An exchange of letters between NASA and the foreign sponsor; or
· A formal Agency-to-Agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
As previously noted, a deviation from the NASA FAR supplement will allow NASA to fund foreign proposals that do not have foreign government sponsorship.
The revised BAA is located at the website referenced above.
In addition a typographical error revising the Project Type in the NOI form is corrected on the revised BAA (Revises the type from ASSP to ASPS).
