NASA Langley Research Center is seeking partners to develop proposals for the Mission and Science Measurement Technology - 2004 (MSMT-2004) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) Synopsis: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released NASA Research Announcement (NRA-03-OAT-01) entitled, "Mission and Science Measurement Technology - 2004" (see: http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_r/open.cfm). The MSMT theme seeks proposals for exploratory research and technology development in the Enabling Concepts and Technologies (ECT) Program, which defines new system concepts and develops new technologies to enable scientific measurements in support of the Aerospace Technology Enterprise mission. The ECT program explores revolutionary aerospace systems, and performs fundamental research and development of high-payoff technologies. Program objectives are to identify, develop, and transfer breakthrough technologies that have broad potential across many types of systems to provide increased scientific return at lower cost, and to enable missions and capabilities beyond current horizons. The ECT program is on the front end of the enabling technology pipeline that supplies the focused technology development programs of the NASA Enterprises. This NRA solicits technologies in three major areas: 1) Advanced Measurement and Detection Technology; 2) Large Aperture Technology; and 3) Low Power Microelectronics Technology. These three technology areas can be viewed in greater detail via the NRA cite noted above. The ECT program primarily focuses on early stage technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL's) of between 1 and 3, unless otherwise noted in the NRA. (For definitions of TRL's, see Appendix B of the NASA Technology Plan at http://technologyplan.nasa.gov). The technology requirements guide future development of component and subsystem technologies, with emphasis on efficiency, miniaturization, integration, and resiliency. The goal is to capture innovative ideas from the external community, to leverage emerging technologies, and to complement NASA capabilities in critical areas. Successful proposals must outline a well-structured program (for up to three years) for development culminating in a proof-of-concept demonstration at TRL 3-4 by the end of the effort for both the Advanced Measurement and Detection Technology and Large Aperture Technology. (NOTE: The Low Power Microelectronics Technology area requires that proposed activities have an entry TRL of 3 or 4 and that the activity demonstrate a minimum TRL 5 at the end of the proposed activity.) NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is seeking partners from other government agencies, industry, academia, and Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) to participate with NASA LaRC Principal Investigators (PI) in the ECT Program to develop proposals and execute proof of concept development and/or component breadboard validation. Subject to the availability of funds, selected proposal(s) would result in proof of concept development and/or component breadboard validation contract(s) for the selected partner(s). This partnering opportunity does not guarantee selection for award of any contracts, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by NASA to pay for the information solicited. It is expected that the partner(s) selected would provide (at no cost to NASA) conceptual designs, technical data, proposal input, project schedules and cost estimates consistent with the requirements of the NRA. Potential partners must demonstrate the capabilities and experience to provide proof of concept development and/or component breadboard validation consistent with the efforts synopsized for each intended LaRC proposal. Partners must work collaboratively with NASA and other potential industry and academic partners to perform the required tasks. Partner selection(s) will be made by LaRC based on the following criteria in the following order of importance: (1) Relevant experience, past performance, technical capability and availability of key personnel This criterion evaluates the proposers' relevant recent experience, past performance in similar development activities, technical capability to perform the development, and key personnel available to support the development. Substantive evidence (points of contact and telephone numbers) of successful participation in similar developments should be included. (2) Cost and schedule control This criterion evaluates the proposers' ability to control both cost and schedule. The proposer should provide evidence of successfully controlling cost and schedule for similar development programs and provide evidence of management processes in this area. (3) Facilities This criterion evaluates the proposers' facilities (development, testing, and analyses) to conduct the development or demonstration of the proposed task. The proposer should discuss facility availability, access, and the ability to meet the proposed objectives. Responses should be limited to 5 pages (12 point font) and address each of the criteria. In all cases, the responder must indicate on the cover page of the proposal (not part of 5-page allocation) the technology area (see below) that applies to their proposal. All responses should be sent to: NASA Langley Research Center, Attn: Chris Edwards, Mail Stop 469, Hampton, VA 23681. The preferred method of submission is via email to:
contact@example.gov. The due date for submission is COB September 12, 2003. Procurement questions should be directed to Tom Weih, NASA Office of Procurement,
+1 (555) 000-0000;
contact@example.gov Technical questions should be addressed to the technical point of contact indicated below. The following LaRC technology proposals are seeking partnerships. (1) Development of Lightweight Scanning Lidar Telescope Technology, Technical Point of Contact: Farzin Amzajerdian,
+1 (555) 000-0000,
contact@example.gov NASA Langley Research Center is seeking partners for the development of lightweight scanning lidar telescope technology meeting NASA's Earth Science objectives. Most of the lidar instruments envisioned for future launch require high-quality meter-class telescopes. The telescope along with the laser transmitter is the driver of the total mass and size of these instruments. Therefore, any reduction in the telescope mass can have a major impact on the instrument cost. In addition to weight and cost constraints, some of the lidar concepts require rotating the telescope in order to scan the laser beam about the nadir, which imposes further constraints on the weight of the telescope. In an effort to address the specific needs of space-based lidar instruments, partners being sought with experience and expertise in lightweight optics technology, thermally-stable optical systems, optical diagnostic techniques, and telescope integration and testing.
