B--SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION CONCEPT STUDIES

NASA GRC intends to issue a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Solar ElectricPropulsion Demonstration Mission Concept Studies. The BAA will be available not soonerthan 15 days from the posting of this notice, by opening the NASA Research Opportunitieshomepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listingsSolicitations to Open Solicitations. Study elements will include mission justification; technology identification andmaturation; mission concept of operations; launch vehicle considerations; integratedflight system conceptual design; mission cost estimate; project schedule; concepts forgovernment and industry partnerships; and project risk identification. NASA will use theresults from these studies for project planning and implementation. NASA is examiningpotential mission concepts for a Solar Electric Propulsion Demonstration. The flightdemonstration mission will test and validate key capabilities and technologies requiredfor future exploration elements such as 300 kW solar electric transfer vehicles. Themission cost target is approximately $200M. Higher cost options may be proposed if thereis a substantial increase in benefit, but the mission cost shall not exceed $300M. Also,lower cost options may be proposed if there is substantial decrease in mission cost withmodest decrease in benefits. NASA anticipates awarding firm-fixed-priced contracts forthese studies. The duration of the contracts will be 135 days. Proposals shall be submitted electronically, and all proposers shall use NASAs proposaldata system, NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com ). In addition, the electronic proposalsmust be submitted by an authorized official of the proposing organization. Participationis open to all non-government U.S. institutions including educational institutions,industry, and nonprofit organizations. Every organization that intends to submit aproposal in response to this BAA must be registered with NSPIRES, and such registrationmust identify the authorized organizational representative(s) who will submit theelectronic proposal. Potential proposers and proposing organizations are urged to accessthe electronic proposal system well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarizethemselves with its structure and enter the requested information. Specific proposalsubmission deadline dates, evaluation criteria, and submission information will beidentified in the BAA. The BAA will identify the due date of proposals. To assist theplanning of the proposal evaluation process, NASA encourages the submission of a Noticeof Intent (NOI) to propose by all prospective proposers. The NOI submittal date will beidentified in the BAA.Awards based on this solicitation are contingent on availability of appropriated funds. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 336415 and 1,000 employees, respectively. Allresponsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.The anticipated release date of the BAA is on or about June 6, 2011 with an anticipatedoffer due date of on or about July 5, 2011. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is KirkD. Seablom, +1 (555) 000-0000).Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It isthe offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of thesolicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible fordownloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.