NASA/GRC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of high voltage (600 Volts and 10,000 Volts) high power space rated (Class S) connectors for use by NASA on deep space planetary orbiters. NASA’s Office of Exploration Systems (Code T) is investigating technology options for potential Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) space missions such as the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO). NEP-based spacecraft generally include a fission reactor to produce heat, a power conversion system to convert the heat to electrical power, and an electric propulsion system to generate thrust. The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) at Lewis Field is supporting Code T and JPL in the areas of power and propulsion systems. The overall goal of the program is to raise the Technology Readiness Levels of potential NEP components by conducting analytical design studies, hardware development, and laboratory-based performance testing.
The following requirements apply to both 600 volt connectors and the 10,000 volts connectors:
All connectors shall be rated Class S. All connectors shall operate without failure in a high radiation, high temperature and vacuum environment. The total mission life is expected to be not less than twenty years. The connectors shall be capable of continuous operation in an environmental temperature range of -100 Deg C to + 600 Deg C. All connector materials and parts shall be non-flammable or self extinguishing, corona, and atomic oxygen (4.88XE21 atoms per square centimeter per year in LEO) resistant. They shall be constructed from no (preferred) or low out-gassing materials suitable for space vacuum operations. All connectors shall contain any arcs or sparks due to mating and de-mating circuits with residual currents. All materials and parts shall be resistant to the effects of moisture, corrosion, fungus, ozone and chemicals. All materials and parts shall be non-magnetic. All materials and parts shall withstand the effects of the application of random vibration. All materials and parts shall be resistant to the effects of space plasma charge.
All materials and parts shall be resistant to the effects of charged particle radiation over the life of the mission. The Total Ionizing Dose (TID) will be 2000 Mega-Rads over the whole mission. The Displacement Damage Dose (DDD) will be 1.1X10E16 neutrons/square cm (1MEV equivalent neutron fluence). The radiation values are worst case values and are still being determined.
The mated connectors shall be required to exhibit minimum impedance and maximum EMI shielding effectiveness over required frequency ranges.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541710 and 500 employees, respectively.
The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about June 7, 2004 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about July 7, 2004.
An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B".
The solicitation and any 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/GRC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin;=22
It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.
