This amendment deletes Mark Stiles as the secondary point of contact and provides answers to questions in response to the RFI. The questions and responses are as follows:
· Does NASA view “commercial capabilities” as including any fixed price contracting mechanism, or does it mean FAR Part 12 arrangements with significant private capital at risk?
This RFI does not assume contract types as it is simply a method of seeking information.
· Would NASA prefer that companies offer such “hybrid” services in response to this RFI, or to the transportation services RFI, or both?
NASA has no preferences on which RFI “hybrid” services should respond to.
· Is providing microgravity research time on orbit separate from ISS (eg. a free flyer) a microgravity research service or a transportation service? What about via a suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicle?
Because some activities, such as microgravity research, may blur the line between operations and transportation service, we suggest companies respond to any RFI they feel is suited to their capabilities.
· Is the goal of the RFI simply to determine how NASA might change how it works with contractors to meet an internal NASA contractor percentage objective, or is the goal to privatize NASA functions and bring in private companies that NASA has not been able to work with effectively to date?
The purpose of the RFI is to gather comments and innovative ideas on space operational activities. It also provides an opportunity for the private sector to communicate its ideas and interests to NASA.
· Assuming NASA creates a separate RFP to acquire “non-transportation” applications form commercial providers:
· Which part of NASA is expected to the lead the procurement?
· What is the anticipated budget?
· When might such an RFP be released?
The RFI is seeking information and ideas; no RFP is currently planned.
· Are there more instructions regarding the 20 page white paper?
· For example is there a specific size and font to be used?
· Should lines be single or double spaces?
· Can graphics be included?
· Would it be permissible to include Appendix in addition to the 20 page paper?
There are no restrictions on size, font or spacing. Graphics may be included. The RFI is limited to 20 pages total.
· It is responsive to discuss services for NASA where the provided service is not transportation, but where the service may include a transportation element?
Yes.
The due date for responses is not extended.
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for any further amendments to this RFI.
