Inactive

NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has a requirement for the design, development, fabrication, testing, and evaluation of a fully-integrated mobile Oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen (H2) Liquefac... NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has a requirement for the design, development, fabrication, testing, and evaluation of a fully-integrated mobile Oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen (H2) Liquefaction Plant Prototype. The current contract, 80LARC20C0002, is for the design, development, test, and evaluation of the full scale H2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype. This sole source modification adds the O2 portion of work into the existing contract with Blue Origin Federation, LLC located in Kent, WA and will require the contractor to fully-integrate the O2 capabilities into a singular, integrated package with the H2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype that is currently in development under 80LARC20C0002. NASA STMD intends to issue this requirement as an out-of-scope modification to contract 80LARC20C0002 with Blue Origin Federation, LLC. Further, the additional work will include the O2 system design into integrated system simulations and tank computational fluid dynamics models that will be quantitatively validated with test data to predict performance of the integrated LH2/LO2 system in the 1/6 g lunar environment. The period of performance for 80LARC20C002 is anticipated to remain unchanged at three years. A standalone O2 Liquefaction Plant is prohibitive in terms of mass, power and volume considerations for transport. Additionally, an integrated O2 and H2 system reduces mechanical complexity through common balance of plant elements and simplifies plant operations in ways not available via a separate O2 plant. Because there is an existing effort to develop an H2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype under contract 80LARC20C002, there would be a substantial duplication of cost to the Government if NASA was to compete and award a separate effort for an O2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype and attempt to integrate it into the H2 system later. In order to be able to support NASA’s return of humans to the Moon, as required by National Space Policy Directive-1, and to be capable of conducting lunar operations that will require availability of both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, it is necessary to amend this contract to include the requirement for an O2 Liquefaction Plant prototype now. To obtain this capability through a separate contract would adversely impact the technical maturation of this capability and its availability to support lunar operations in the time in which those capabilities will be required. Therefore, it was determined that modifying the current contract with Blue Origin Federation, LLC is the most efficient and economic means for meeting NASA’s needs to timely support these requirements. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to complete the O2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype requirement resulting in a fully-integrated O2 and H2 Liquefaction Plant Prototype in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:00 p.m. eastern standard time on June 1, 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html