Description
I. Background
NASA is in the conceptual phase of identifying key performance
indicators for the successful design and production of the "Altair"
(Lunar Lander) vehicle. Our goal is to meet NASA's Lunar Exploration
requirements safely and at the lowest life cycle cost. As specified
during the Industry Day meeting conducted September 25, 2008, NASA will
be awarding multiple fixed price contracts in early CY 2009. This
interim developmental design effort is intended to continue industry
involvement and build on the knowledge developed under the Altair study
contracts by supplementing the NASA design team emphasizing the areas
of human space flight production, manufacturing, and operability.
Contracts are planned to run into the 2012/2013 timeframe in support of
the Altair Systems Requirements Review (SRR) and systems Design Review (SDR).
II. Objective
This RFI is issued to request information from the aerospace industry
regarding potential implementation mechanisms for the multiple
contractor procurement strategy.
III. Technical Requirements
The Altair project has a technical requirement to
supplement the existing NASA design team to aid in maturing the current
design with an emphasis on human space flight production,
manufacturing, and operability requirements/capabilities. The intent is
to utilize multiple contractor resources equitably to improve the
single, government led, Altair design.
IV. Acquisition Strategy
Market research has begun for the Altair vehicle.
Continued industry involvement early in the NASA led design and
development phase is highly desirable. Therefore, we are seeking input
from industry regarding the day to day implementation of a multiple
contractor procurement strategy, with the goal of improving a single
design concept, and the inclusion of small businesses in this
procurement. NASA intends to maintain the designer role through SDR for
the Altair project; however, in order to ensure a robust design, NASA
is soliciting input on supplementing its current NASA team with
industry partners who have proven experience in human space flight
production, manufacturing, and operability applicable to the Altair
vehicle. The Altair planned acquisition approach will utilize these
guiding principles:
1. Maximize competition to include the ability to
re-compete at appropriate times. 2. Effectively enable a blend of NASA
led design efforts with contractor involvement while maintaining a
competitive environment until the most effective time to award full
scale development and production contract(s). 3. Develop a set of
metrics or measurement criteria that would be used to evaluate the
technical performance of the awardee(s) as it relates to this interim
developmental design effort. 4. Leverage existing industry programs. 5.
Maximize the use of all categories of small businesses, with particular
emphasis in significant technical areas. 6. Mitigate conflict of
interest risks including identifying barriers to competition for Altair
that could be mitigated and subsequently foster a more competitive
environment.
V. Summary
While there is no formal page limit or format, a page
guideline of 5 pages is recommended for the primary narrative text
response. Inputs shall be compliant with all legal and regulatory
requirements concerning limitations on export controlled items.
Responses are requested to be submitted in Microsoft
Office products in a user friendly environment to facilitate review.
One hard copy and 3 CDs or DVDs are requested. Responses are to be
submitted no later than October 10, 2008, to Tim A. Boyes/BT/Johnson
Space Center, TX 77058.
Altair will be the vehicle to enable the United States
to return to the moon and beyond. Merging NASA's and industry's core
expertise will foster this endeavor. We solicit your response and will
continue to utilize this site to provide further updates to include the
possibility of an Altair Industry Day. Any questions can be directed to
Tim A. Boyes at 281-483-1838.
Point of Contact
Name: Timothy A. Boyes
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-483-1838
Fax: 281-483-0503
Email: timothy.a.boyes@nasa.gov
Name: Timothy A. Boyes
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-483-1838
Fax: 281-483-0503
Email: timothy.a.boyes@nasa.gov