18--NASA REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) PROVISION OF CREW HABITABILITY EQUIPMENT FOR ISS

PURPOSE: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) International Space Station Program (ISSP) seeks information (listed in Part B below) from organizations that may be interested in collaborating with NASA to provide any or all of the Astronaut Crew Habitability Equipment described in Part A below for use onboard the International Space Station (ISS). This collaboration would be on a non-exclusive basis, with no appropriated government funds, and consistent with advertising restrictions (as described in Part C below). It is expected that responses to this RFI will contain sufficient information about: 1) items the responder proposes to provide; 2) the capabilities of the respondent to provide these items; 3) the quid-pro-quos desired by the responder; and 4) the business plan of the provider for NASA, to determine if it is in the best interest of the Government and Private Industry to issue a - Request for Entrepreneurial Offers (REO). Such an REO would contain more detailed information on the specific items to be provided and the potential terms and conditions for any agreements to be concluded. Responses to the REO could lead to one or more Space Act Agreements between NASA and the providing entity. It is anticipated that any eventual arrangement between NASA and a provider of equipment will contain opportunities for the provider to receive and use identification with and recognition for its contributions to the ISS (consistent with the advertising restrictions contained in this RFI), as well as plans for activities in support of outreach and educational programs for NASA. This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning and information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. Currently, no public funds have been or are anticipated to be appropriated to NASA for allocation to these public-private partnerships. The terms and conditions of any agreement or partnership are flexible in cases where there is significant private investment and a clear public benefit. Such flexibility includes but is not limited to negotiating part or all, of the marginal costs for NASA-provided resources and capabilities in the near term where there is strong potential that a particular commercial ISS activity will become self-sustaining or such an activity enhances the International Space Station. General information on commercial use of the ISS, commercial accommodations, offer contents, and pricing are located at website: http://commercial.hq.nasa.gov . Part A: ISS Astronaut Crew Habitability Equipment Introduction In order for the crew of the ISS to increase from a size of 3 crew members to a size of 4 - 7 crew members, additional crew habitability equipment (CHE) is required onboard the ISS. CHE includes: Crew Quarters, Crew Galley, Wardroom Table, Waste and Hygiene Compartment, and Waste Collection System. These items are briefly described below. All items will have operating lifetimes of 15 years. It is expected that all items will fit within and utilize an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) location. The ISPR locations to be used may be located either in Node 3 or in the US Laboratory Destiny. (Information about the dimensions and characteristics of an ISPR location is contained in Part D.) The equipment will allow for periodic inspections, preventative or corrective maintenance, restoration to original performance, and replacement of components. All items will be transported to the ISS using the Space Shuttle and must withstand the launch environments. Crew Quarters The Crew Quarters (CQ) provides an enclosed space with isolation from the light and noise onboard the ISS. It includes the following capabilities and items: circulating atmosphere, atmosphere temperature adjustability; lighting; restraints for the crew member, equipment and personal items; stowage; a work surface; electrical power for the use of a laptop and crew personal equipment; LAN accommodations for a laptop computer; interfaces for communication with the ISS communication system, including the caution and warning system; visual indications for emergency egress; and smoke detection. Each CQ provides sufficient volume for the crew to don and doff clothing. The CQ will provide radiation protection of at least a 25% reduction in effective organ dose (rem) in crew quarter over nominal shielding amounts. It is anticipated that 4 units of CQ will be provided. Crew Galley The Galley provides facilities with capabilities to rehydrate, and heat food for a crew of 7. The Galley subsystems consist of a Water Dispenser (WD), Oven(s), Trash Compactor (TC), Food Preparation Area (FPA), and limited storage. The Galley water dispenser receives potable water from ISS Systems or Contingency Water Containers (CWC). The Galley water dispenser provides for the injection (via an existing food package septum) of chilled, heated, or ambient potable water for the hydration of food and beverages. The Galley oven(s) is capable of heating food for a crew of 7 to at least 150 F (66 C) within 30 minutes. The Galley trash compactor provides for the compaction of wet and dry trash. The Galley also provides a food/beverage restraint system for ISS food packages and food trays. The Galley rack provides interface locations for standard and unique restraints and mobility aids. It is expected a Galley will fit within and utilize an ISPR location. The Galley contains a smoke detector and provides a port for an ISS portable fire extinguisher. The surfaces of the Galley are accessible for cleaning and sanitation. Wardroom Table The Wardroom Table (WRT) provides a stable surface for eating, working and meeting for the crew members. It includes features such as object and paper stabilization (through air flow or other means), foot and body restraints, ability to be stowed and assembled easily and quickly, and accommodations for up to 7 crew members to eat together. The surface of the WRT is flat and continuous to provide for crew functions such as writing and using a laptop computer. The WRT can accommodate food trays. The WRT will be deployed in the aisle across the face of an ISPR location. Waste and Hygiene Compartment The W&HC is an integrated structure of no more than 2 adjoining ISPR locations, consisting of a crew hygiene station, a Waste Collection System (WCS) (described below) and interfaces for the Urine Monitoring System (UMS). The W&HC's primary functions are to provide an area for crew cleansing of hands, face and partial body, oral hygiene, personal grooming, and the collection and temporary stowage of human metabolic waste. The W&HC also provides an eye wash area, access for Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) water sampling and stowage areas for W&HC consumables, soft-goods and trash generated during W&HC activities. The WHC provides for crew privacy. The WHC provides adequate volume for donning and doffing of clothing, as well as personal hygiene activities to be performed by the crew. Waste Collection System The Waste Collection System (WCS) collects, stores, and compacts fecal and personal hygiene wastes, including wipes, female hygiene items, emesis bags, and soiled garments. The WCS will also collect and transport urine to the ISS urine processor. All functions shall be provided while controlling odors and optimizing crew comfort. There are many common functions with WCS capabilities designed for extended duration Space Shuttle flights that may provide a starting point for system designs. Mockups and Qualification Units Training mockups and qualification units for each item will be required for delivery in addition to the flight units. Specifications and Requirements Detailed specifications and requirements exist for most of the equipment described above. This information can provided upon request. Scope and Stages Responders may propose provision of any or all of the items described above. Proposals involving only one or a subset of the items listed above are acceptable. It is anticipated that implementation and commitment to proceed on any arrangement involving more than one of the items would occur on a staged basis with periodic decision gates to proceed to the next stage. The first stage would start with Phase A-type design activities for one or more of the simplest items. Upon successful completion of the first stage, approval may given to proceed to Phase B for those initial items and to begin Phase A for next item or items. Decision gates would continue to be used until all items to be provided are through Phase B. PART B: Business Offer Contents 1. Description of Offer: a. Describe business venture - technical and commercial merits b. Top level project milestone schedule c. Services required from the U.S. Government/NASA d. Research and Development and other benefits to the U.S. Government/NASA e. Terms and conditions of agreement f. Advertising rights g. Intellectual property rights 2. Technical Information: a. Description of equipment b. Description of services c. Description of logistics and maintenance strategy 3. Company Information and Management Team: a. Ownership b. Location and facilities required c. Points of Contact (business & technical) PART C: NASA Guidelines for Advertising Requests NASA generally has no objection to the reproduction, distribution, or use of NASA imagery, including NASA photographs, subject to the following conditions: 1. NASA imagery may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of a commercial product, service, or activity, or used in any manner that might mislead. 2. NASA should be acknowledged as the source of the imagery. 3. It is unlawful to falsely claim copyright or other rights in NASA imagery. 4. NASA shall in no way be liable for any costs, expenses, claims, or demands arising out of the use of NASA imagery by a recipient or a recipient's distributees. 5. NASA does not indemnify nor hold harmless users of NASA imagery, nor release such users from copyright infringement, nor grant exclusive use rights with respect to NASA imagery. 6. NASA imagery is not protected by copyright unless noted. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use. If not copyrighted, NASA imagery may be reproduced and distributed without further permission from NASA. 7. If a recognizable person (e.g., an astronaut or other individual) appears in NASA imagery, use for commercial purposes may infringe that individual's personal right of privacy or publicity. If that individual is not currently employed by the U.S. Government, permission should be obtained from that individual if the proposed use of the NASA material could be viewed as a commercial exploitation of that person. Government ethics laws prevent current Federal employees from granting such permission. However, if the intended use of NASA material is primarily for communicative purposes, i.e., books, newspapers, and magazines reporting facts of historical significance (constitutionally protected media uses), then such uses will generally be considered not to infringe such personal rights. 8. Federal law precludes the use the of the words "National Aeronautics and Space Administration" or the letters "NASA", or any combination, variation, or colorable imitation of those words or letters either alone or in combination with other words or letters, (1) as a firm or business name in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such firm or business has some connection with, endorsement of, or authorization from, NASA which does not, in fact, exist; or (2) in connection with any product or service being offered or made available to the public in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such product or service has the authorization, support, sponsorship, or endorsement of, or the development, use, or manufacture by or on behalf of NASA which does not, in fact, exist. 9. Use of NASA graphic identifiers, particularly, the NASA insignia, sometimes referred to as the NASA "meatball": a. The manufacture and commercial sale of the NASA insignia as a separate and distinct device in the form of an emblem, patch, insignia, badge, decal, vinyl cal, cloth, metal, or other material which would preclude NASA's control over its use or application is prohibited. b. No approval for use of the NASA insignia will be authorized when its use can be construed as an endorsement by NASA of a product or service. c. Items bearing the NASA insignia such as souvenirs, novelties, toys, models, clothing, and similar items (including items for sale through the NASA employees' nonappropriated fund activities) may be manufactured and sold only after the NASA insignia application has been submitted to, and approved by, the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs, or designee, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 20546. d. Use of the NASA insignia for any other purpose than as prescribed herein is prohibited, except that the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs may authorize on a case-by-case basis the use of the NASA insignia for other purposes when the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs deems such use to be appropriate. Responses Due: Interested organizations should submit their response in writing on official company letterhead to NASA/Johnson Space Center, Attn: OA/Spaceflight Partnership Office, Dan Jacobs, Reference Number: 03-Crewhab-001, 2101 NASA Parkway 1, Houston, Texas 77058-3696 no later than 4:30 p.m. central standard time on November 17, 2003. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All information received will be kept completely confidential. Technical Points of Contact: Name: Dan Jacobs Title: Manager, International Coordination Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-mail: contact@example.gov Name: Karen Gelmis Title: Vehicle Office, International Space Station Program Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 E-mail: contact@example.gov PART D: Description of ISPR Location Standard ISPR Information: maximum integrated weight = 1773 lbs approximate internal volume = 50 cu ft 72" tall x 38" wide x 26" deep to the rear posts includes side and rear access panels Additional Specific Information: o The WHC/WCS racks should include a 12" deep "bump out" to allow more maneuvering room. o Crew Quarters - ISS provided utilities include power bus (primary + redundant @ 120Vdc and 3.5A; max steady state current draw is 0.84A), data bus, aisle air, LAN connections and audio. Note also that the CQ racks should also include the same 12" bump out as the WHC/WCS. o Galley - ISS provided utilities include power (up to 6kW @ 120Vdc, not to exceed 16.85 kW/d), data bus, vent system and potable water (to be dispensed at three different temperatures: 40'F +/- 5'F, 155'F +/- 5'F and ambient). o WHC/WCS - ISS provided utilities include power (via three connectors at 120Vdc and 25A, not to exceed 15A and 200W/d average), data bus, aisle air, potable water, audio and moderate temperature coolant (@65'F). o Wardroom Table - ISS provided utilities include power, not to exceed 280W.