Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Missions

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Ames Research Center (ARC) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Missions. NASA ARC requires Thermal Protection products as required for NASA’s Mars Sample Return and Dragonfly missions. NASA ARC has a requirement for TPS products in support of SMD Missions which would provide the following: Fabricate carbon FiberForm™ billets and resin infuse those substrates to yield Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator - Domestic (PICA-D). These articles will provide the necessary TPS for the backshell of the MSR EEV. Resin infuse 3D woven 54-inch Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) engineering preforms in support of design and development of flight hardware designs for a single-piece, 1.4-meter diameter HEEET heat shield for the forebody of the MSR EEV. Resin infuse 3D woven 80-inch HEEET preforms for a single-piece, 1.4-meter diameter HEEET heat shield for the forebody of the MSR EEV. Fabricate carbon FiberForm™ billets and resin infuse those substrates to yield PICA-D. These articles will provide the necessary TPS for the aeroshells of the Dragonfly and Mars Sample Return Lander (SRL) missions. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541715 for Research & Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), with a size standard of 1,000 employees. NASA ARC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the items from Fiber Materials, Inc. (FMI) located at 5 Morin Street, Biddeford, ME 04005 pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Requirements. The Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition is attached herein. This non-competitive, sole source acquisition will result in a Single Award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under which Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) delivery orders will be issued. The contract will have an effective ordering period of five (5) years from the contract effective date. All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing, electronically to Nairi Freeman, Contracting Specialist at [email protected] on or before Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 3:00 PM PST. Offerors are encouraged to submit questions as soon as possible for consideration. It continues to be the responsibility of each interested party or prospective offeror to monitor this website for any amendments related to this acquisition.