REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI).NASA/GSFC is soliciting additional information in preparation for the competition of theRapid Spacecraft Acquisition (RSA) follow-on. Previously known as Rapid II (Rapid 2),the new procurement will be referred to as Rapid III (Rapid 3).The Rapid III acquisition is intended to result in the award of multiple fixed-priced,Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for spacecraft bus core systemsthat would be used to meet the Governments science and technology needs. It is anticipated that the procurement will not be a commercial procurement under FARPart 12 but will be procured under FAR Part 15 due to the inclusion of the NASA/GSFCMission Assurance Requirements (MAR) at the Master contract level. Tentatively, allproposals would be required to contain a Mission Assurance Implementation Plan (MAIP)response to the GSFC Mission Assurance Requirements document. The not-to-exceed (NTE)firm fixed-price of each core spacecraft offered under a basic RSA contract shall includethe price for meeting the GSFC Mission Assurance Requirements as described in the MAIP. In addition, we are considering the inclusion of multiple contract types (fixed priceincentive and fixed price award fee) for this procurement. Please providerecommendations and comments regarding the use of these contract types on the Rapid IIIMaster Contract. Particularly we are interested in your experiences with incentives onfixed price contracts within the spacecraft industry.Copies of a preliminary Draft Statement of Work (SOW) and a copy of the proposedapplicable GSFC MAR have been posted to the Rapid Spacecraft Development Office (RSDO)website for your review. These documents can be accessed at http://rsdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/ under the blinking Rapid III Documents. Since this is a change from Rapid II, we are asking that spacecraft vendors who haveexpressed an interest in submitting proposals for the Rapid III catalog, vendors whoparticipated in Rapid I or II and any other potential vendors, review the documents andsubmit comments regarding this new procurement approach. NASA/GSFC is seeking your comments on the change to FAR Part 15, the inclusion of the MARat the Master contract level/pricing and multiple contract types. In addition, pleaselet us know if any of these changes would effect your participation in RAPID III as wellas the number of spacecraft your company may propose. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will theGovernment pay for any information submitted in response to this RFI. Responses may be submitted to NASA/GSFC, ATTN: Janet Osterman, Code 401.1, Building 16W,Room N115, Greenbelt, MD 20771; or via electronic transmission
[email protected]. For further information please contact Janet Osterman at301-286-7586 or
[email protected] or Greg Smith at 301-286-1289
[email protected]. Information submitted separate and apart from commercialbrochures will be treated as proprietary, if so marked. All responses should besubmitted by December 1, 2008.