NASA Space Technology Research Development Grant 2015

The STMD portfolio supports a combination of early-stage studies, for assessing the feasibility of entirely new technologies (which corresponds to a technology readiness level (TRL) range from 1 to 3); maturing feasible technologies through rapid competitive development and ground-based testing (TRL 3-5); and flight demonstrations in relevant environments to complete the final steps prior to mission infusion (TRL 5-7). This technological diversity results in a sustainable pipeline of revolutionary concepts. STMD seeks aggressive technology development efforts that may require undertaking significant technical challenges and risk to achieve a higher potential payoff.

The following STMD programs will be included in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 umbrella solicitation:

* NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program focuses on visionary aeronautics and space system concepts. TRL Range: 1-3
— Appendix A1: NIAC Phase I Call for Proposals
— Appendix A2: NIAC Phase II Call for Proposals

* Space Technology Research Grants (STRGP) Program engages academia in innovative research in advanced space technology. TRL Range: 1-3
— Appendix B1: Early Career Faculty (ECF)
— Appendix B2: Early Stage Innovations (ESI)

* Game Changing Development (GCD) Program focuses on maturing advanced space technologies that may lead to entirely new approaches for the Agency’s future space missions. TRL Range: 3-5
— Appendix C1: Game Changing Technology Topic TBD
— Appendix C2: Game Changing Technology Topic TBD
— Appendix C3: Game Changing Technology Topic TBD
— Appendix C4: Game Changing Technology Topic TBD

* Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) Program seeks to mature laboratory-proven technologies to flight-ready status. TRL Range: 5-7
— Appendix D1: Topic TBD

* Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) Program develops and demonstrates subsystem technologies and new mission capabilities for small spacecraft. TRL Range: 3-7
— Appendix E1: Small Spacecraft Technology Development and Demonstration
— Appendix E2: Smallsat Technology Partnerships

* Flight Opportunities Program (FOP) facilitates low-cost access to suborbital environments for a broad range of innovators as a means of advancing space technology development and supporting the evolving entrepreneurial commercial space industry. TRL Range: 5-7
— Appendix F1: FOP Technology Topic TBD

Additional information about the STMD Programs is available at http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech . The SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 solicitation will contain target release dates for the Appendices that will be solicited in that year.
To the greatest extent practicable, participation will be open to all categories of organizations, domestic and foreign, including industry, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies. Foreign entities may also partner with US proposers, but only without the exchange of funding. The Appendices will provide details of the solicited opportunities including: specific scope of the work solicited, anticipated budget for new awards, number of awards anticipated, notice of intent and proposal due dates, and specific instructions about proposal content and evaluation criteria. The number and value of awards will depend on the availability of funds and the quality of proposals received. This is a broad agency announcement as specified in FAR 35.016 and NFS 1835.016. Notwithstanding the posting of this opportunity at FedBizOpps.gov and Grants.gov, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each proposa l selected pursuant to the NRA. The individual Program Officers and assigned Contracting Officers will be listed in the each Appendix.

Information concerning general NRA policies and procedures may be found in the Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) or Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN), May 2014 Edition located at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/proposer2014.pdf

Proposals must be submitted electronically using either NASA’s proposal data system, NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ) or Grants.gov. Each electronic proposal system places requirements on the registration of principal investigators and other participants (e.g., co-investigators). Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to access the electronic proposal system(s) well in advance of the proposal due date(s) to familiarize themselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to this NRA must be registered with NSPIRES; organizations that intend on submitting proposals via Grants.gov must be registered with Grants.gov, in addition to being registered with NSPIRES. Registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal.

Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the Space Tech-REDDI-2015 umbrella solicitation and Appendices. Further questions concerning the Space Tech-REDDI-2015 solicitation may be directed to Bonnie James, STMD Senior Investment Strategist at E-mail: HQ-STMD-SpaceTech-REDDI@mail.nasa.gov . Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.