Description
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS A SOURCES SOUGHT (SS). This is SS is issued for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this SS; all costs associated with responding to this SS will be solely at the interested party’s expense. The Government will acknowledge receipt of all submissions but is under no obligation to provide feedback or integrate respondents’ contributions. All information in response to this SS marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable regulations. Additionally, respondents are requested to identify if they currently hold a contract with the REMIS2 IDIQ. Foreign firms are advised that they will not be allowed to participate in this acquisition at the prime contractor level; however, provided they are eligible to do business with the US Government they may be eligible to participate at the subcontractor level. All interested parties may submit a Statement of Capabilities (SOC) which shall be considered by the agency. The SOC and all related communications that contain proprietary information should be marked as such. Only written responses will be accepted. A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) will be posted in SAM.Gov in the future. A draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) specifying details of the requirement will be attached to the RFP and is provided within this Source Sought notice for your information and convenience in the meantime. The Government proposes to procure Contractor services to support the Department of Defense (DoD) Human Spaceflight Payloads Office at the Johnson Space Center. Additional details of the requirement are included below: The contract type is to be determined (TBD) based on voluntary industry recommendations and feedback on what types have proven to be successful. However, said feedback is not required to be included with the SOC submission. In the interim, it is anticipated to be a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type. The period of performance is anticipated to be one base year period with 4 option years for a total of 5 years. Projected award date is TBD. The NAICS size standard for 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) is 1,000 employees per www.sba.gov. The Federal Supply Class/Service code is AR32 (R&D: Space Transportation Systems-Exploratory Development). The DoD has a requirement to develop, integrate and operate DoD payloads and spacecraft on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Exploration Vehicles as well as other available Space Transportation Capabilities. The generic term “Exploration Vehicles” is comprised of the full NASA capability to launch into and operate within the space environment, to include (but not limited to): the International Space Station (ISS), Russian Launch Capabilities (e.g., Progress/Soyuz), the HIIB Transfer Vehicle (HTV), Commercial Crew Vehicle, the Space Launch System (SLS), and any NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) launch vehicles (e.g., SpaceX and Orbital ATK) capabilities in support of human space flight/exploration or other goals. The generic term “Space Transportation Capabilities” refers to any space flight opportunities (Government or commercially procured) that can be utilized to complete a DoD payload’s mission objectives. Refer to draft PWS for additional details. Format requirements for the Statement of Capability (SOC) are below: Interested parties who believe they have the capability to perform as a prime Contractor in support of this effort must submit a SOC which includes the following information: Personnel/Size Standard, Company Name, Mailing Address, Point of Contact and Telephone Numbers, Business Size Classification such as Large, Small, or Other. The SOC should also address knowledge, capability, and experience related to the requirements stated above. Specifically the areas of integration of human-rated payloads on man-rated vehicles such as the International Space Station (internal and external) and related resupply vehicles such as the ATV, HTV, SpaceX Dragon, Orbital Cygnus, and Russian Progress/Soyuz. In addition, the areas of analyses, development, and qualification of man-rated spaceflight hardware including transition of such hardware already in development and facilities to build such hardware. The Government anticipates that it will transition (among other smaller payloads) two ExPRESS Logistics Carrier external ISS payloads as well as a ~75kg small spacecraft development project carrying 4 payloads, including ground system development and on-orbit operation, from an existing contract to the DHSC. The SOC should address their company’s recent capabilities and experience in these areas. Address NASA man-rated safety process/requirements knowledge, capability, and experience, facilities available to store and process flight hardware and the ability to handle classified (SECRET) material; and successful management of similar programs in the last five years. The SOC must state certified socio-economic categories for which the firm is eligible and date of expiration if applicable.