NASA is offering grants for Game-Changing Technology Development in Suborbital Flight.

Proposals are being sought in three topic areas: Development of Space Technology Demonstration Payloads, Vehicle Capability Enhancements and Onboard Research Facilities for Payload Accommodation, and Small Spacecraft Propulsion Technology Development. Specific technology development areas within each topic are identified in Appendix E.

The complete NRA solicitation and specific details of NRA Appendix E (including proposal due dates) will be accessible via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ), under Open Solicitations for NRA NNL12A3001N.

All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

Offerors are advised that Appendix D will include two acquisition phases, and will involve a competitive selection process. Phase I will be for the design, development, fabrication, and testing of micro-thruster technologies. The selected offerors will develop 100µN micro thrusters, inclusive of the propellant tankage, feed system and Power Processing Unit (PPU). The minimum expected technology readiness level (TRL) at entry for Phase I proposals is TRL 3 and the exit TRL is 5. In Phase II, the micro-thruster technology will be further developed to TRL 6 and for a possible space flight demonstration via the Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) Program. The competition for Phase II will build on the results of Phase I, therefore the award criteria for Phase II will include demonstrated completion of specified Phase I requirements.

The Government anticipates that only the Phase I contractors will be capable of successfully competing for Phase II, therefore proposals for Phase II will be requested from these contractors. The Government does not intend to issue a new, formal solicitation for Phase II. The mechanism for providing pertinent Phase II proposal information is described in Appendix D. Phase II of the acquisition will be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.201 and 5.203. Notwithstanding the expectation that only the Phase I contractors will be capable of successfully competing for Phase II, proposals from all responsible sources submitted by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for Phase II awards, however, such prospective offerors must demonstrate a technology readiness level in line with that of the Phase I contractors. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate technology readiness level may render the proposal unacceptable with no further cons
ideration for contract award.

The complete NRA solicitation and specific details of NRA Appendix D (including proposal due dates) will be accessible via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ), under Open Solicitations for NRA NNL12A3001N.

All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

This announcement provides changes to the “Initial Announcement of Game Changing Opportunities in Technology Development (GCOTD) – 2012 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNL12A3001N”. The NRA effective date is extended from February 9, 2013 to September 30, 2013. NOTE: This announcement is not for the solicitation of proposals for a new appendix under NRA NNL12A3001N. Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of any future appendices and any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

The complete NRA and solicitation is accessible via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (http://nspires.nasaprs.com), under Open Solicitations for NRA NNL12A3001N. All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

Offerors are advised pending continued availability of funding, and quality and appropriateness of proposed efforts, it is anticipated the Variable Heat Rejection technology development effort will occur in four phases based on a progressive development process. During each phase, the TRL of the selected technologies will be advanced, and the culmination of Phase IV will result in TRL 5/6 hardware. Only Phase I is presently approved by the Game Changing Development Program management and is currently being solicited under Appendix C. Phase I, the formulation phase, will include an analytical study to demonstrate the feasibility and viability of the proposed technology as it relates to the design challenge described in Appendix C. At the end of the formulation phase, the study results will be reviewed, along with programmatic considerations to determine whether the project will enter implementation, Phases II through IV. Any subsequent pursuit of this technology (Phases I
I through IV) will be solicited under a separate solicitation, and such a solicitation will be a full and open competition.

This announcement also provides changes to the base NRA NNL12A3001N Section 5.2, Review and Selection Processes.

The complete NRA solicitation and specific details of the NRA Appendix C (including proposal due dates) will be accessible via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ), under Open Solicitations for NRA NNL12A3001N.

All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

Offerors are advised that Appendix B will include two acquisition phases, and will involve a competitive selection process. Phase I will be for the design, analyses and testing to mature a >30 kW Solar Array System (SAS) concept to technology readiness level (TRL) 5, and to identify the most critical technological risks of extending their concept to the 300-450 kW level. Additional technologies enabling the reliable, long-term operational capability of the system include the Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) system (including gimbals, slip ring, shunt regulator, and harnesses/connectors), high voltage, e.g., 160-300V, high efficiency solar cells, solar array specific power greater than 150 W/kg (Goal of 200 W/kg), solar array stowed power of 40kW/m3 or greater, and a reliable structural deployment system. Phase II will be for the development of a SAS for in-space (relevant environment) demonstration as an attached external experiment to the ISS, or as part of an expe
riment conducted on a free-flyer vehicle. The intent of Phase II is to raise the TRL of an advanced, modular and extendable solar array system to TRL = 6 such that it may be subsequently infused into a follow-on Solar Electric Propulsion demonstration, as well as infusion into most other space applications requiring high power. The competition for Phase II will build on the results of Phase I, therefore the award criteria for Phase II will include demonstrated completion of specified Phase I requirements.

The Government anticipates that only the Phase I contractors will be capable of successfully competing for Phase II. Proposals for Phase II will be requested from Phase I contractors only. The Government does not intend to issue a new, formal solicitation for Phase II. The mechanism for providing pertinent Phase II proposal information will be described in Appendix B when issued. Phase II of the acquisition will be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.201 and 5.203. Notwithstanding the expectation that only the Phase I contractors will be capable of successfully competing for Phase II, proposals from all responsible sources submitted by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for Phase II awards, however, such prospective offerors must demonstrate a technology readiness level equivalent to that of the Phase I contractors. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate technology readiness level may render the proposal unacceptable with no
further consideration for contract award.

The anticipated release date of Appendix B is on or about April 12, 2012. Specific details of the NRA Appendix B, including proposal due dates, will be accessible via the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) (http://nspires.nasaprs.com), under Open Solicitations for NRA NNL12A3001N.

All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

This announcment solicits proposals as described in Appendix A, Technology Development for Suborbital Flight Opportunities of the NRA NNL12A3001N. Specific details of the new topics in Appendix A, including proposal due dates can be accessed from the NSPIRES website (http://nspires.nasaprs.com/), under Open Solicitations, NRA NNL12A3001N.

It is noted that Appendix A is entitled “Technology Development for Suborbital Flight Opportunities” versus “Low Cost Access to Space” as originally posted in the synopsis dated December 12, 2011. All other information included in the original posting remains unchanged.

The GCD NRA will solicit proposals for research and development in the following topic areas: Low Cost Access to Space (LCATS) Technology Development, Exploration Technology Development, Space Operations Support Technology Development, and Unique and Innovative Technology Development. The NRA will cover all aspects of basic and applied research and development for concepts within the topic areas listed above including, but not limited to; development of advanced technologies, development of test articles and techniques for testing them, and the development of concepts of operation and employment for new technologies. A typical period of performance for an award under this solicitation is approximately two years, with a potential option period of an additional year if it is deemed by the GCD Program that project progress warrants such an extension. As program requirements are defined and funding made available, the NRA will be amended to include additional appendices within
the topic areas defined above. The funds available for award will be defined in each Appendix based on the availability of funds and the quality of proposals submitted. Multiple awards under each Appendix are anticipated.

The first Appendix of this NRA will be in the Low Cost Access to Space Technology (LCATS) Development topic area, and will solicit proposals for the demonstration of Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Technologies. The anticipated release date of the LCATS NRA Appendix is early January 2012.

Specific proposal submission deadline dates, any particular evaluation criteria, and submission of points of contact will also be identified in the NRA Appendices. Details of the solicited programs along with proposal due dates will be provided in the Appendices of the NRA.

Participation is open to all categories of organizations, foreign and domestic, including industry, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. Information on proposals involving non-U.S. organizations is provided in Section 1.6 of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers. Proposals must be submitted electronically, and all proposers shall use 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.

Electronic proposals must be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Every organization that intends to submit a proposal in response to this NRA must be registered with NSPIRES, and such registration must identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit the electronic proposal.

As topic areas are released, further information about specific program elements will be available. The individual Program Officers and assigned Contracting Officers will be listed in the Summary of Key Information for each program element. Questions concerning general NRA policies and procedures may be directed to Dana Gould, Deputy Director Game Changing Development Program Office, NASA Langley Research Center (email: dana.c.gould@nasa.gov).

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, Grants.gov, or at both sites, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each proposal selected pursuant to this announcement.