Inactive

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a requirement for a scope increase to support risk reduction activities pertaining to composite cases, inte... National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a requirement for a scope increase to support risk reduction activities pertaining to composite cases, integration, propellant characterization, planetary protection, and long-lead procurements for solid motor rockets of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). This work supports development of the MAV which must withstand low temperatures during space travel and on the planetary surface. The temperature extremes of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) mission are beyond those assumed for standard solid motor manufacture for NASA, the military, and industry. The scope of the current contract involves the use of a proprietary propellant (TP-H-3062) and an existing STAR 17 solid rocket motor asset, both of which are property of NGIS located in Elkton, Maryland. The propellant has a flight history with the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover Rocket Assisted Descent motors, including a proven capacity for long duration space flight and the environment on Mars. This effort includes the examination of the cold temperature capability of subscale propellant samples (that will be exposed to low temperatures similar to those on Mars) and solid rocket motor design features. The scope increase requested utilizes the current MAV configuration that includes two separate solid rockets utilizing composite cases. The cases will be required to contain combustion pressures, experience high acceleration loads, and facilitate other hardware, heaters, and attachment to the Sample Return Lander (SRL). This activity will focus mainly on risk reduction activities involved with the composite case manufacture, integration, and design challenges. Other activities will consist of the development of a potential propellant characterization plan, application of planetary protection methods, and a precursory evaluation of long lead items. NASA MSFC intends to issue a new work modification to contract number 80MSFC19C0048 to support this work from Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems (NGIS) on a sole source basis. Pursuant FAR 6.302-1, NGIS was previously awarded contract 80MSFC19C0048 on October 18, 2018 to examine the cold temperature capability of TP-H-3062 and solid rocket motor design features in support of MAV propulsion risk reduction. A key component of the MAV concept requires a propellant capable of mission requirements with applicable flight history. NGIS has a proprietary propellant TP-H-3062 that was selected for the use with the current contract. NGIS is a major supplier in the field of solid rockets. Their propellant TP-H-3062 is the only one with proven flight experience in the environments required and has been selected for use in the MAV. Design of the composite cases for the MAV propulsion system is sensitive to the insulation configuration chosen based on the propellant used. The components are dependent on one another both in design and performance. It would be impractical for NASA to provide additional funding to develop an alternative propellant for use with the MAV concept when the capabilities for the use of the NGIS proprietary propellant have already been established with this current contract and previous history. Therefore, NGIS is the only source for this composite case study that will be applicable to the MAV. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Cynthia Hubbard at Cynthia.a.hubbard@nasa.gov not later than 2:00 p.m. CST on June 05, 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. 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