NASA/JSC has a requirement for the design and build, sustaining and integration, operations, and deployment phases of the General Laboratory Active Cryogenic International Space Station Experiment Refrigerators (GLACIER), the Polar space freezer units, and the Microgravity Experiment Research Locker Incubators (MERLIN). These space refrigerators and freezers are used extensively in support of the International Space Station (ISS) Program. As a result of two Visiting Vehicle incidients, manifest increases, increased spares to reduce risk, refurbishments, new hardware, and protection for loss of future vehicle the contract has burned though contract value at a more accelerated rate than originally planned. NASA/JSC intends to increase the Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity Maximum Not-To-Exceed amount for the Cold Stowage Contract, NNJ15HA80B awarded to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Biophysical Sciences (CBSE). The GLACIER and Polar hardware were fully developed by UAB under previous contracts with NASA, therefore, the technical expertise and inherent knowledge of these systems resides with UAB. In addition to UAB's unique technical knowledge of the GLACIER and Polar units, UAB maintains data rights and proprietary software the for MERLIN units. The internally generated data that contains technical data on the MERLIN units is exclusively controlled by UAB. UAB possesses the demonstrated ability to assess new vehicle interface requirements, to build additional units, repair existing units, and provide maintenance. Additionally, UAB has developed unique manufacturing processes consistent to maintaining these space freezer units. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:00 p.m. Central time on December 21, 2017. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html .
