NASA STMD: Advanced Oxygen Recovery Technology Development Grant

The Government plans to conduct a phased acquisition involving a progressive competitive down-selection process (see 1817.7301-5). Competition for subsequent phases will build on the results of the previous phases. Phase I will constitute the Engineering Development Unit Phase with an expected duration of up to 15 months. Phase II is envisioned as the Prototype Hardware Phase with an expected duration of up to 24 months.

The award criteria for subsequent phases will include demonstrated completion of specified previous phase requirements. The Government expects that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s). Proposals for the subsequent phase(s) will be requested from these contractors. The Government does not intend to issue a new, formal solicitation for subsequent phases(s). Request letters will be issued for each subsequent phase to provide guidance on proposal content and evaluation criteria. Each subsequent phase will be synopsized. Notwithstanding the expectation that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s), proposals from all responsible sources submitted by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for subsequent phase awards, however, such prospective offerors must demonstrate a design maturity equivalent to that of the prior phase contractors. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate level of design maturity may render the proposal; unacceptable with no further consideration for contract award.

STMD’s 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 across the mid-technology readiness levels (TRL), namely TRL 3-5. Appendix NNH14ZOA001N-14GCD-C2 seeks proposals for the maturation of promising atmospheric revitalization system technologies required to enable NASA’s human exploration missions. As future missions must be more self-sufficient, technologies of interest will be capable of significantly improving the rate of oxygen recovery while also ensuring high system reliability. NASA and its partners must develop novel technologies with the potential to “close” the atmosphere revitalization loop. Technologies of interest would greatly improve the oxygen recovery rate while offering the potential of increased reliability and reduced mass, volume, and power. The goal of this Appendix is to award technology development efforts that will increase the oxygen recovery rate to at least 75%.

All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 NRA. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.

Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 Appendices.

Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to HQ-STMD-GCDC2@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 Appendix; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.

In addition to the release of this solicitation, the Umbrella NRA document has been revised. Specifically, the “Attachment 2 – Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Descriptions” section was updated to reflect the current TRL descriptions. The Umbrella NRA document can be found via the following link: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={95A5FFC3-E045-ED8E-3636-C8E3CAACF400}&path=open and selecting the link: Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014) NRA Revised: April 9, 2014