Inactive

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center (JSC) is announcing a market research initiative to gather information to understand current technologies and capabilities... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center (JSC) is announcing a market research initiative to gather information to understand current technologies and capabilities as well as determine the appropriate level of competition and/or business subcontracting goals for a future Mars Sample Return (MSR) Sample Receiving Facility (SRF) Assessment Study. MSR represents the first restricted sample return mission since Apollo, which means that the SRF will not only have the traditional contamination control requirements to protect the astromaterial samples from the Earth’s environment (e.g., cleanroom technology) but also planetary protection requirements to protect Earth from a potential Martian hazard (e.g., high-containment biosafety level (BSL)-4 infrastructure). The future MSR SRF Assessment Study is intended to strategize the best approaches for integrating an array of technology and equipment into the SRF and inform the selection of facility modality (e.g., traditional brick-and-mortar, modular, lease/renovate existing BSL-4 space, and/or hybrid approach). It is anticipated that expertise from an array of fields will be required to optimize implementation strategies, including but not limited to high-containment, cleanroom/contamination control, sterilization, cleaning technologies, specialized laboratory equipment, and more. This market research initiative is for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. This is a market research initiative announcement. It is not a procurement, commitment to procure items or services, or request for proposals. NASA will not reimburse any costs incurred for preparation or submission of information in response to this market research initiative announcement. NASA reserves the right to share all information received in response to this market research initiative throughout NASA (including with support contractors) and to use all information submitted in response to this market research initiative in NASA's formulation of the liability framework for the MSR SRF. No competition sensitive data that requires protection should be submitted as the submitted information may be released to the public by NASA. Although information contained herein represents current program content and acquisition planning, it is subject to change. All parties interested in learning more about this market research initiative should direct inquiries to the following email address: jsc-mars-sample-curation@mail.nasa.gov.