A--REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (METS)

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) contract for Multi-Disciplinary Engineering and Development Services (MEDS) was established to provide engineering and related services for the study, design, development, fabrication, integration, testing, verification, and operations of space flight and ground system hardware software, including development and validation of new technologies to enable future science missions. The MEDS contract is due to expire in April 2004, and acquisition planning is underway for follow-on efforts. The current MEDS contract is a Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type with a maximum contract value of approximately $275 million and was awarded competitively as an 8A set-aside. Future projections and trends indicate that the magnitude of potential work for the upcoming 5 years could well exceed this current value by more than double. Therefore, several options and alternatives are being considered. The intent of this Request for Information (RFI) is to share with industry our current plans and considerations and solicit feedback. We refer to the follow-on activity as Multi-Disciplinary Engineering and Technology Services (METS). GSFC plans to compete and award two separate 8A contracts, with a proposed division of work separating pre-formulation, formulation, and research/technology services from implementation and parts/materials program services. There are specific functions, such as, Project Management and Systems Engineering, that would still be required in both planned contracts. In order to assist you in reviewing this debundling of requirements, we are providing a single Statement of Work, similar to that contained in the current MEDS contract with updates, along with a matrix indicating the Major Function or Responsibility of the two planned contracts. Functions that are contained in both areas are also designated. We are particularly interested in your feedback on the divisions indicated and would appreciate comments and/or suggestions. GSFC also plans to award both contracts as Cost-Plus-Award-Fee, IDIQ. We are considering a single Request for Proposal, designating separate work packages for the two distinct efforts, with a single Source Evaluation Board. Contractors would be allowed to propose separately on both packages. However, a single contractor may only receive one contract award, either for the pre-formulation, formulation, and research technology or for the implementation and parts/materials program. Where possible and appropriate, offerors would only be required to submit a single set of data; for example, Representations and Certifications. Pros and cons to this single RFP approach are still being considered, and your feedback in this area would also be appreciated. The NAIC for both requirements is 541710, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, and the size standard is 1,000 employees. Our intent is to consider all comments in our planning deliberations, therefore, it would be most helpful if your feedback were provided to Ms. Cynthia Tart, Code 210.M, email address: contact@example.gov no later than July 24, 2003. We anticipate at least one additional RFI posting prior to release of a draft RFP(s). We do not intend to post comments received.