Teaming Opportunity for the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development NASA Research Announcement (NNH40ZSS001N-PID)
Description: NASA Langley Research Center is seeking partners to develop proposals for the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development (NNH04ZSS001N-PID) NASA Research Announcement (NRA)
Synopsis: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) entitled, “Planetary Instrument Definition and Development” (see http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_s/nra/current/nnh04zss001n/appendB_11.html ). The Planetary Instrument Definition and Development (PIDD) program supports the advancement of spacecraft-based instrument technology that shows promise for use in scientific investigations on future planetary missions. The goal of the program is not to develop flight-qualified hardware but rather to define and develop scientific instruments or components of such instruments to the point where the instruments may be proposed in response to future announcements of flight opportunity without additional extensive technology development.
This NRA solicits proposals for instrument definition and breadboard development for the following future types of missions:
Discovery Program (For additional information see http://centauri.larc.nasa.gov/newfrontiers/ )
The emphasis in this NRA is also on the development of miniaturized, low power, low cost instruments for Discovery, New Frontiers, Mars Exploration, and other similar missions. Instrument definition and development studies can take place at several stages, including feasibility studies, conceptual design, and laboratory breadboarding (but not brassboarding) of critical components and complete instruments. Proposed instruments must address significant scientific questions relevant to stated NASA goals.
NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is seeking partners from other government agencies, industry, academia, and Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) to participate with NASA LaRC Principal Investigators (PI) in the PIDD Program to develop proposals and execute development and performance demonstrations of components and subsystems. Subject to the availability of funds, selected proposal(s) would result in component and/or subsystem contract(s) for the selected partner(s). This partnering opportunity does not guarantee selection for award of any contracts, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by NASA to pay for the information solicited. It is expected that the partner(s) selected would provide (at no cost to NASA) conceptual designs, technical data, proposal input, project schedules and cost estimates consistent with the requirements of the NRA. Potential partners must demonstrate the capabilities and experience to provide components and subsystems consistent with the efforts synopsized for each intended LaRC proposal. Partners must work collaboratively with NASA and other potential industry and academic partners to perform the required tasks. Partner selection(s) will be made by LaRC based on the following criteria in the following order of importance:
(1) Relevant experience, past performance, technical capability and availability of key personnel This criteria evaluates the proposers relevant recent experience, past performance in similar development activities, technical capability to perform the development and key personnel available to support the development. Substantive evidence (points of contact and telephone numbers) of successful participation in similar developments should be included.
(2) Cost and schedule control This criteria evaluates the proposer’s ability to control both cost and schedule. The proposer should provide evidence of successfully controlling cost and schedule for similar development programs and provide evidence of management processes in this area.
(3) Facilities This criterion evaluates the proposer’s facilities (development, testing, and analyses) to conduct the development or demonstration of the proposed task. The proposer should discuss facility availability, access, and the ability to meet the proposed objectives. Responses should be limited to 5 pages (12 point font) and address each of the criteria.
Your responses should be sent to: NASA Langley Research Center, Attn: Rosemary R. Baize, Mail Stop 469 Building 1208A, Room 106, Hampton, VA 23681. The preferred method of submission is via email to: Rosemary.R.Baize@nasa.gov. Procurement related questions should be directed to: Nancy M. Sessoms, Contracting Officer 757-864-2471 Nancy.M.Sessoms@nasa.gov. The due date for submission is 4:00 p.m. local time July 2, 2004.
The following LaRC technology proposals are seeking partnerships. The technical requirements and NASA LaRC point of contact for questions are provided below:
(1) Dust Measurements on Mars
Technical Point of Contact: Larry Thomason (E-mail: l.w.thomason@nasa.gov)
Phone: (757) 864-6842
NASA Langley Research Center is proposing to develop an instrument to improve the understanding of the role of airborne dust and ice in the climate of Mars. As such we are seeking partners to 1) help refine instrument measurement requirements particularly as they relate to the role of aerosol in the Martian climate; and 2) help design a small, inexpensive in situ aerosol measurement system capable of extended and unattended operation in a Mars-like environment.
(2) Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Technical Point of Contact: Warren C. Kelliher (E-mail: Warren.C.Kelliher@nasa.gov)
Phone: (757) 864-4172
NASA Langley Research Center is actively developing X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometers (XRFS) for use on future Planetary and Space Exploratory missions to provide elemental analysis of various regolith surfaces. Based on previous experience with the XRFS used on the Viking Mission to Mars, Langley is developing state-of-the-art XRFS components to be used in different instrument configurations for in-situ analysis, remote surface analysis and subsurface analysis. We are also interested in further development of micro and total reflection XRFS technologies for space applications. For this specific proposal, LaRC is seeking partners with expertise in both Wavelength Dispersive and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence to combine both technologies into a miniature instrument to be used as a planetary elemental analyzer. We are particularly interested in the Wavelength Dispersion in order to provide high resolution analysis of the low atomic number biogenic elements (C,O, & N).
(3) A Micro Mass Spectrometer for Space Applications
Technical Point of Contact: Seun K. Kahng (E-mail: Seun.K.Kahng@nasa.gov)
Phone: (757) 864-7553
NASA Langley Research Center is seeking partners with which to develop a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) magnetic-sector mass spectrometer with a novel ionization source and an ion optic lens as its enabling components. The completion of the project will result in a working magnetic-sector mass spectrometer capable of detecting a host of chemical species inline with several stated NASA goals and complimentary to outer planet roadmap missions. Partners are sought with expertise in MEMS and miniaturized mass spectrometers technology. The partner(s) must work collaboratively with government representatives and other potential industry and academic partners to develop micro mass spectrometer with the following characteristics: the proposed micro mass spectrometer includes an ion source, ion lens, mass filter, and ion detector array fabricated as a monolithic unit with a dimensional footprint of 20 mm x 20 mm x 10 mm, a mass of less than 50 grams and operates with a power consumption of less than 10 mW. Additionally, the device will have a mass resolution of 1 atomic mass unit (amu), a mass range of 1 ~ 300 amu, and a sub part-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity to a host of chemical species. NASA Langley is strongly interested in partners that have access to and experience in conducting focused research and development work toward a laboratory demonstration of breadboard micro mass spectrometer with the above specified characteristics. Partners with capability for small-scale production and experience in technology transition to external manufacturers are also preferred.
(4) Radiation Detection in Space
Technical Point of Contact: Brad Crawford (E-mail: Bradley.L.Crawford@nasa.gov)
Phone: (757) 864-4549
NASA Langley Research Center is interested in developing small, light weight, low cost and low power consuming devices for detecting radiation. Partners are sought with expertise in the following areas 1) radiation qualification of hardware 2) designing radiation testing experiments, 3) designing and building supplementary hardware and software for testing.
