Inactive

This is a summary notice for a Request for Information (RFI) and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take action ... This is a summary notice for a Request for Information (RFI) and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take action in this matter. Summary The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking information under this Request for Information (RFI) to assess community interest, concepts, and rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost for (1) small complete missions, (2) instrument suites, or (3) single instruments that if flown in space would directly address space weather science and/or observational needs. These instruments, suites, and missions could be flown as secondary payloads on rideshare missions or as hosted payloads on satellites or other platforms. Information collected through this RFI will support programmatic decisions regarding approaches for secondary or hosted payload opportunities on future Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Heliophysics launches or missions. Hereafter, these missions and payloads are referred to as Space Weather Instruments and Missions for Science (SWIMS). This notice is not a complete or verbatim summary of the SWIMS RFI; therefore, it is necessary to visit the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) and download the full version of solicitation number NNH20ZDA009L. On or after the date of this betaSAM notice, NSPIRES will publish the RFI in full. Background The vision of NASA’s SMD Heliophysics Division Space Weather Science Application (SWxSA) program is to advance the science of space weather to empower a technological society safely thriving on Earth and expanding into space. It is responsible for instrument and mission development that directly addresses space weather research and supports space weather operational efforts. This responsibility is consistent with the 2019 National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan being implemented across various Federal agencies. Additionally, the Heliophysics Division addresses space weather specifically to support human and robotic exploration and interagency endeavors and seeks to establish a pipeline of flight instrumentation focused on space weather as part of its portfolio. The Heliophysics Division will use the RFI data to assist in determining how to create and manage a pipeline of (1) space weather instruments, (2) instrument suites, and (3) small complete missions capable of taking advantage of hosted or rideshare payload opportunities to various destinations in the Solar System (e.g., Sun-Earth L5, lunar surface, Sun-Mars L1) that support science and exploration objectives. A payload pipeline would allow the Agency and SMD to respond nimbly to rapid turnaround opportunities as rideshare continues to evolve. Information Requested The SWIMS RFI is limited to the concept of the mission, instrument suite, or instrument. Do not include implementation details of launch and spacecraft requirements in the submission. On a strictly voluntary basis, respondents may submit confidential information, sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information, proprietary information, or export-controlled information, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restricted information, appropriately and clearly identified as such, in response to this RFI. Disclaimer It is not NASA's intent to disclose publicly Respondents' proprietary information obtained in response to this RFI. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a Respondent as "Proprietary or Confidential" will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal nor an Invitation for Bid. This RFI seeks to obtain information for planning purposes only, and the Government does not intend to award a contract at this time. This RFI is subject to review or cancellation at any time and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract. The Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this request. Submission Instructions This RFI broadly seeks submissions from only U.S. entities including industry, universities, non-profit organizations, NASA Centers, and other U.S. Government agencies. Submissions for this RFI will only be accepted through NSPIRES. RFI respondents must be registered with NSPIRES. See registration instructions at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “Create an Account”). RFI submissions are due no later than September 23, 2020. Contact Point Address questions or comments concerning this Request for Information via email only to James Spann, Heliophysics Space Weather Lead, jim.spann@nasa.gov, and Jamie Favors, Heliophysics Program Executive, james.e.favors@nasa.gov. Emails should include “SMD SWIMS RFI Question” in the subject line. Responses to questions concerning this Request for Information will be posted on NSPIRES in a Question and Answer (Q&A) document. Please email questions and comments concerning this RFI no later than September 1, 2020, at 11:59 PM Eastern, and specify in the subject line: “SMD SWIMS RFI Question.”