This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Human & Robotic Technology which was posted on June 29, 2004. You are notified that the following changes are made: Posting of additional Questions and Answers and a revision to the BAA, Appendix C. paragraph 2a.
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 BAA is located at:
https://naccsli1.msfc.nasa.gov/ExplorationPortal
I. Cont'd Questions/Answers:
Q40. Will CCEI support software or just hardware?
A40. CCEI will support software that is directly related to the particulars of the hardware it runs on. All software that is hardware independent falls under SISM or ASCT areas.
Q41. If a waiver of inventions is requested after contract selection will NASA grant a waiver of inventions so the contractor will own inventions it creates or will NASA only
consider a waiver of inventions? If NASA will only consider a waiver of inventions will NASA accept a proposal with a contingency whereby the offeror can withdraw from consideration (award) if approval is not granted?
A41. All requests for advance waivers are considered when timely submitted. The NASA Inventions and Contributions Board normally will recommend grant of a request for advance waiver of domestic rights submitted prior to execution of contract or within 30 days after execution of the contract. While there are circumstances where the Board can find that the interests of the United States will be better served by restricting or eliminating all or part of the rights of the contractor, this rarely occurs. (See, 14 CFR 1245.104) If an advanced waiver is not granted the contractor can still petition NASA for waiver of each invention as they arise under the contract. Waivers are liberally granted.
NASA does not accept proposals with contingencies. We encourage the contractor to submit the waiver request early so that it knows what the answer will be early in the process.
Q42. Under the HESS Technology Element Program, High-Efficiency/Power and Low-Mass Electromagnetic (EM) Propulsion Systems theme, does the reference to output power greater than 500 kW imply that a single thruster of at least 500 kW is needed, or is there an interest in systems consisting of several lower-power thrusters that total 500 kW?
A42. A system of multiple smaller thrusters with total output power of 500 kW is acceptable as long as the integrated performance of the multiple-thruster system is demonstrated.
Q43. On page 9 paragraph 11, Past performance of Offeror's team. The past performance includes subcontracts over $500,000. Does this contradict paragraph 14, g, on page 12 which states, "major subcontractors are defined as those subcontracts in excess of $550,000 per year" and on page 14 which states, "with proposals exceeding $550,000."?
A43. No, data applies to two different categories in the proposal. One is for past performance and the other is for pricing submission.
II. Revision to the BAA
Note. Appendix C, paragraph 2.a is revised to clarify that the 75 words per person for Key Personnel Background Summaries does not include the titles of 1-2 papers that each key member has published or presented at a conference. An amended BAA will be posted at the website noted above.
