The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) solicits proposals for flight mission investigations via Announcements of Opportunity (AOs). Solicitation principles and policies applicable to these acquisitions are provided in the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Supplement (NFS) Section 1872 ( http://www.hq.nasa.gov/off ice/procurement/regs/1872.htm ). SMD develops each individual AO solicitation by customizing a SMD framework document, the Standard AO. SMD reviews and revises the Standard AO periodically to incorporate updates and improvements. The current Standard AO can be found at http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/ standardao/sao_templates.html . At this time, SMD is currently initiating a comprehensive review of the Standard AO and welcomes suggestions from the proposing community. The current (June 2014) Standard AO Template may be found at http://soma.larc.nasa.gov/ standardao/sao_templates.html . SMD is interested especially in constructive modifications that could result in shortening and/or simplifying Step 1 proposals submitted for two-step flight mission acquisitions. These and other suggestions should be submitted via E-mail to the parties below by December 21, 2015: Dr. Thomas Wagner:
[email protected] Mr. Washito Sasamoto:
[email protected] After receiving these inputs, NASA will consider them in concert with other information to develop a revised Standard AO, which will then be released in March 2016, via NSPIRES and FedBizOpps and posted at the Standard AO website above. Comments on the revised Standard AO may be submitted for consideration during regular ongoing AO development.