NASA/MSFC has a requirement for engineering support to the De-Orbit Stage (DOS) motor of the Europa Lander vehicle to reduce defined risks to the system as the design matures and progresses toward certification and qualification. The objective is to complete preliminary studies and analysis on the feasibility of a solid propulsion system to meet the notional flight demands. This requirement includes the completion of four (4) out of thirteen (13) tasks that involve risk reduction manufacture, test, and analysis activities to mature the design. These four (4) tasks are listed below: 1. Assessment of the Combined Environments – An assessment of the combined environments is necessary to determine how the Europa mission will affect performance. Propellant samples shall be cycled through the expected Europa mission environments (Sterilization, Cold conditions and Radiation) then shall be assessed for additive effects. Sterilization and cold environment exposure shall be conducted by the contractor. Radiation samples shall be sent to a NASA designated site for exposure then returned. Post exposure testing shall be conducted by the contractor once the samples are received. 2. Ancillary Materials Testing - Seals, joint O-rings, insulation materials, adhesives, liners and Thrust Vector Control (TVC) components will need to harden against the flight environments already proposed for the Europa De-Orbit Stage. An assessment along with any necessary exposure tests need to be conducted to assure reliability to those parts and their intended use in the motor. 3. Total Impulse from Motor - Variation in total motor impulse is a critical parameter do the target landing requirements from the lander. Assessments need to be made on the projected variation of a propellant family in a variety of ways, through historical data, through test motor assessment and any other means as a way to properly predict the final total impulse. Critical to this parameter would be any environmental effect from the Europa Mission. 4. Burn Time Variation Studies - Separation and landing target is also influenced by total burn time of the motor. If burn time varies too much then significant adjustment must be made by the lander thruster or additional weight must be carried as maneuvering propellant. Assessments through both test and analysis in needed to assure that this parameter can be controlled and that static testing accurately mimics flight of this parameter. NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from AeroJet Rocketdyne, Inc. (AeroJet) pursuant to the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.” NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source, 12-month no-cost extension of the AeroJet Rocketdyne contract # NNM17AA05C to allow for the completion of work currently being performed. This extension is being issued to accommodate delays in contract performance directly related the supply disruptions and delays related to COVID-19. The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, is that no other source can meet the first schedule requirement and schedule risk is a significant impact to the project/program. Development of any alternative will not meet the Europa DOS schedule or budget constraints resulting in serious financial impacts to the overall program. Since this effort is a continuation of current work, AeroJet is uniquely qualified. Awarding another source other than AeroJet would result in substantial duplication of costs that would not be recovered and/or would cause unacceptable delays in fulfilling the contract requirements. Originally, a non-compete source received acquisition approval for this work through Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on the bases that it was impractical to seek competitive proposals for these study contracts to assess the feasibility of using space storable, throttle-able solid propellant rocket systems, and large solid rocket motors (SRMs) for a Europa Lander descent state. As a result of this acquisition approval, a determination was made to procure the desired services on a sole source basis from AeroJet. 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 Heath Brock at
[email protected] not later than 2:00p.m. CST on September 30, 2021. 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