This is a modification to the synopsis entitled "Advancements in Chemical Propulsion Technologies for In-Space Applications", NNM04AA01L which was posted on August 12, 2004. You are notified that the following changes are made:
The following information is posted ONLY to clarify the request for technical information in the basic solicitation.
The due date for responses is hereby extended to August 30, 2004.
THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS. IT IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NASA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of obtaining information for planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of chemical propulsion technologies. Prospective offerors are invited to submit comments or questions to the identified point of contact, no later than August 30, 2004. In responding, please reference RFI-NNM04AA01L.
BACKGROUND
Research sponsored by the In-Space Propulsion Technologies Project is at the forefront of NASA's efforts to seek new means of enabling faster and more cost efficient missions to the outer planets. Advanced propulsion technologies are being developed to contend with NASA's unique challenges of enabling missions with fast access throughout the solar system and the ability to rendezvous with, orbit, and conduct in situ exploration of planets, satellites and small bodies. The information sought is for the advanced chemical propulsion technology area. Technologies for ascent/descent and Earth-to-Orbit missions are not solicited. This request is not for information concerning flight demonstrations, technologies beyond TRL 6 or at development stages less than TRL 3. It is requested that the potential offeror provide a self-assessment of performance, schedule, and system goals for the chemical propulsion technology.
TECHNICAL
NASA is looking for ways to both incrementally and radically improve the performance of primary chemical propulsion for interplanetary spacecraft. In both these categories, (incremental and radical) there is a need for improvements in thrust, specific impulse, reduced mass of propulsion systems and components, longer life, higher reliability, the ability to withstand severe environments and improve safety and operability. All of these represent potential investment areas, which translate to better Discovery and New Frontiers scientific missions. “Better” means more science from either better instruments or more of them, quicker science return, or science from places otherwise not attainable.
The initial thrust of this RFI is to solicit ideas in the incremental improvements category. Even a few kilograms increase in the science payload has a significant benefit for an interplanetary mission. To this end, NASA seeks ideas from organizations that have flown chemical propulsion systems on deep space missions, based on their experiences. In addition to ‘lessons learned’, this RFI is further aimed at the identification of mid-TRL technologies addressing challenges and issues that could be matured from their current state to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, in the next 2-4 years.
The second thrust of this RFI is radical improvements in performance of primary chemical propulsion systems. These ideas necessarily would represent a departure from the types of systems that have been flown in the past, and innovative ideas are sought from all potential responders. This portion of the RFI is necessarily still limited to those technologies now at a TRL of about 3, and maturing them to TRL 6. The time frame for accomplishing this process would most likely take longer than 2-4 years.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Only United States companies/citizens are requested to respond to this announcement. This solicitation is further limited to those organizations that have recent, extensive experience in the development and operational use of chemical propulsion systems for robotic spacecraft for either extended-duration Earth orbital or interplanetary missions. Interested parties should submit information not to exceed three pages plus a maximum of two resumes (not to exceed two pages each). Responses should be identified as either incremental or radical improvements, as described above, and limited to one response per category per offeror. The format is at the discretion of the potential offeror. All proprietary information should be marked. Responses will be handled accordingly.
Comments, ideas, and information may be forwarded to PS52/Betty Kilpatrick via electronic transmission or by facsimile transmission to betty.c.kilpatrick@nasa.gov or fax to (256) 544-6062.
This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. NASA may, at its discretion, elect to solicit additional information from selected offerors by requesting on-site visits to an offeror’s site. The purpose for any such visit would be consistent with the guidelines stated herein and would constitute no intent to make an award as a direct result of this Request For Information solicitation. Any site visits will be properly scheduled and coordinated in advance. Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to PS52/Betty Kilpatrick.
The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office 97 format and 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/MSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html
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/MSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin;=62
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.
