The purpose of this amendment 1 is to make changes to the announcement title, and associated changes, extend the Inactive Date to 3/31/22 and to provide a direct link to the Announcement document. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters anticipates a release of an Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) to Advance Tipping Point Technologies” on or about February 11, 2022. NASA expects a simultaneous release of a sister announcement entitled “Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)." Once the Tipping Point AFP is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps: Open the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Under Solicitations Select "OPEN" Enter "80HQTR22SOA02” Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) to Advance Tipping Point Technologies The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to embrace partnerships to achieve its strategic goals for expanding capabilities and opportunities in space. STMD has formulated a strategic framework to ensure American global leadership in space technology. The framework consists of four strategic thrusts, representing the capabilities needed for robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These thrusts represent major lines of investment within STMD's portfolio that are expected to have major impacts on space through 2040 and beyond. The strategic thrusts are: Go – Enable rapid, safe, and efficient space transportation Land – Enable expanded access to diverse surface destinations Live – Enable sustainable living and working farther from Earth Explore – Enable transformative missions and discoveries This strategic framework provides context and enables a trace from overarching trends, through high level goals, to topics, and the specific technical challenges that individual projects must address. A key aspect of NASA’s strategy is to stimulate the commercial space industry and commercial capabilities through public-private partnerships to deliver technologies and capabilities needed for future NASA, other government agency, and commercial missions. With the recent increase of U.S. private sector companies interested in space applications, NASA is seeking commercial space technologies that are at a “tipping point” in their development cycle. The anticipated definition to be used for the purpose of this AFP is that a space technology is at a “tipping point” if: System/technology is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of approximately 4 or greater at time of initial proposal The partner has a robust plan for commercialization The activity will substantially advance the TRL of the technology and improve the partner’s ability to bring that technology to market For this AFP, STMD will solicit proposals that are led by a U.S. for-profit entity to advance “tipping point” space technologies. NASA intends to utilize its Other Transactional Authority (OTA) and anticipates making awards utilizing Funded Space Act Agreements (FSAA) with firm fixed milestone payments tied to technical achievement. Please refer to the forthcoming AFP for the full list of eligibility requirements/restrictions. Participants should review the FSAA terms and conditions provided in the AFP prior to determining whether to submit an initial proposal; NASA is not anticipating changes to the FSAA Template. Significant industry investments (both monetary and in-kind) will be required to complement Government funding and ensure successful execution. This release anticipates soliciting the funded development of tipping point technologies from the following two Topics. This list should be considered preliminary and is subject to change prior to announcement release. For this AFP, STMD seeks proposals that would develop tipping point technologies and integrated system capabilities for demonstration in relevant environments, in-space, or lunar surface. Multiple flight demonstration awards are anticipated with a total funding amount of about $150M-$200M for this announcement, subject to availability of appropriated funds. Topic 1. Cislunar/Lunar Surface Infrastructure & Capabilities Technologies that support global lunar utilization leading to commercial commodities and services for a robust lunar economy. Such infrastructure could include examples such as long-distance lunar power distribution; survive and operate during lunar night; in-situ Resource Utilization; lunar communications; autonomous construction. These examples for lunar surface infrastructure are not limiting and other potential examples are invited to create a robust lunar economy. Topic 2. In-Space Infrastructure & Capabilities Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) technologies that support additional future services for a growing LEO/GEO economy. Such infrastructure could include examples such as climate research or service; assembly and manufacturing technologies; distributed autonomy; measurement/observation capabilities; entry, descent, and landing; advanced propulsion. These examples for LEO/GEO technologies are not limiting and other potential examples are invited to create a robust LEO/GEO economy. This release will utilize a two-step proposal submission and evaluation process. The initial step will be a Mini Proposal (i.e., “Project Pitch”). Only those firms submitting the most competitive Mini Proposals will be invited to submit a Final Proposal. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Detailed submission instructions will be provided in the AFP. Potential participants 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. A Virtual Industry Forum is anticipated about two weeks after the AFP release. Further details concerning the Forum will be provided in the AFP. All questions and comments, after the AFP is released, must be submitted in writing to
[email protected] . Responses to inquiries will be answered by email and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the AFP; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved. The AFP and any documents related to this announcement will be available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by selecting “OPEN” and entering "80HQTR22SOA02," and, finally selecting “The AFP and any documents related to this announcement will be available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by selecting “OPEN” and entering "80HQTR22SOA02," and, finally selecting “Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) to Advance Tipping Point Technologies." It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the AFP and amendments (if any).