Cryogenic Active Cooling for Human Exploration (CACHE)

NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for active cooling technology development and demonstration for high capacity cryocooler technologies to Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-6 for Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) storage and scalable for Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Methane (LCH4) for space cryogenic systems supporting future long duration NASA missions. The objectives are to assure availability of high capacity cryocooler technology for future NASA missions. NASA/MSFC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI), and members of the underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for the Cryogenic Fluid Management Portfolio Project (CFMPP) and the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received. The purpose of this sources sought solicitation is to identify capable organizations and promising technologies which NASA intends to use to inform and develop an acquisition strategy to mature cryocooler technologies through a new appendix to the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Project Background The focus of the project's technology maturation work is development of a suite of technologies determined as necessary to achieve cryogenic storage and operations for Mars human exploration mission architectures that will ultimately enable human access throughout the solar system. Within that technology suite is the need for zero boil-off cryogenic storage which necessitates active cooling. Active cooling utilizes powered systems, such as cryocoolers, to drive thermodynamic cycles that remove heat from a specific medium, in this case cryogenic fluid. The removed heat is rejected to the environment directly or by use of a passive system, such as a radiator. Cryocoolers for cryogenic propellants typically use Helium or Neon (or some mixture thereof) as working fluids within the thermodynamic refrigeration cycles. Challenges associated with the cryocooler technology development work include but are not limited to: Design and demonstration of high capacity cryocooler systems capable of: Intercepting heat at liquid hydrogen temperatures (20K) Performing at power and weight efficiency that fits within Mars exploration architectures Performing reliably across its design range and operational requirements for 5 years without maintenance Development of modeling and simulation capabilities that accurately predict performance characteristics cryocooler systems to support flight certification. It is anticipated that new teaming arrangements combining key disciplines and skills will be necessary to develop and demonstrate these cryocooler technologies that address the risks and challenges of long duration missions. This notice is intended to encourage organizations to consider cryogenic cycles, integrated systems, critical component development, and operational capability that meets the requirements identified by Mars exploration system architecture studies. Responses should include an approach that will utilize the strengths and capabilities within teaming or independent organizations with experts and specialists as necessary to accomplish system development and demonstration to TRL-6. TRL-6 is defined as a high-fidelity prototype tested in relevant environments scalable to the intended application. Additional information on TRL is included as an attachment to this notice. A technology solution and execution approach that demonstrates the full management, programmatic, and technical capability will be responsive to this Sources Sought Notice. This sources sought solicitation is also open to organizations that possess expertise in key components technologies or key disciplines and skills needed to reach technology demonstration. Responses that are specific to components are encouraged to respond as the CFMPP is considering that a future acquisition may include focused contracts that mature those key elements to address critical technical challenges of cryocooler systems. An envisioned future acquisition is in consideration to be released under the NextSTEP 3 BAA starting with a concept study. Initially, the Government anticipates multiple awards of firm fixed price contracts, to include the first phase that would be for concept development with option to exercise follow-on scope based on technology promise and development progress; outlining the design, fabrication, assembly, demonstration, and environmental verification steps. Options may be exercised at the discretion of the Government and are anticipated to be exercised simultaneously, not concurrently. It is the desire of NASA to award contracts that include the full cryocooler system development inclusive of the thermo-mechanical unit (TMU) and the cryocooler control electronics (CCE) with integrated performance demonstrated. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Interested firms having the required capabilities necessary to meet the requirement described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than fifteen (15) single-sided pages, including any attachments and responses to questions below including responses to EO 13958 inquiry. Please use a minimum font size of 12 in either Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. The required contents of the capability package include: An overview of the organization submitting the response Responses to the questions to industry presented below Responses to the EO 13985 questions presented below Questions to Industry If NASA were to issue an RFQ for a study and concept development contract for cryocooler technologies would your firm be interested in competing? a) Would your firm propose as a prime or as a team member for a cryocooler system development proposal, or as a stand-alone component development effort Describe your firm's experience with cryocooler technologies specifically identifying what developmental scope can be performed by your organization, what scope would need to be accomplished via a teaming arrangement. a) Cite and estimate the TRL of any current cryocooler system technologies your firm possesses. Does your firm have experience working with NASA centers and DOE national laboratories on technology development projects? Does your firm have experience with Class D or higher spaceflight certified systems (defined in NPR 8705.4) or TRL-6 technology spaceflight development (See attached CFMPP TRL reference) Describe your firm's concept and approach to developing and demonstrating a cryocooler system or component capable of achieving these key performance parameters: a) Must be applicable to liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage and modifiable via design and/or working fluid changes for liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane (LCH4) LH2 at 20 Kelvin, LOX at 90 Kelvin, LCH4 at 118 Kelvin b) Concept Must be able to remove, or - lift, 15 to 25 watts at 20K with the technology modifiable via design and/or working fluid changes to between 30 and 150 watts at 90K. Both at 300K heat rejection temperature c) Must be reliable and durable to operate in a space environment for 5 years continuously 250 normal controlled starts/stops within operating range 30 stops for faults that may interrupt power or command from the spacecraft d) Must be able to reject heat between 270 and 305 Kelvin to a spacecraft heat rejection system e) Must have a power efficiency for hydrogen storage Goal: 20% Carnot efficiency for full cryocooler system Threshold: 15% Carnot efficiency for full cryocooler system f) Must have a weight efficiency below 6 kg/w(lift) (@300k WBT) Describe your firm's intent and plan for commercialization of a cryocooler system or component technology developed within a potential NASA technology demonstration contract a) Commercialization can include technology or system availability to Mars mission prime integrator and if applicable, as a product for other applications b) Identify potential cryocooling applications outside the needs described within this solicitation Would your firm propose to bring existing intellectual property or engage in an agreement using corporate contributions to retain data rights? Cite any NASA capabilities, expertise, or facilities that this plan may leverage Identify where significant risks to this plan are perceived and how they may be mitigated Identify any gaps unavailable to your firm in critical expertise, skills, or capability needed for to your cryocooler concept development and demonstration. Critical Cryocooler Components for demonstrated cryocooler thermodynamic cycles include: Recuperative: Compressor (for both regenerative and recuperative cycles) Expander Recuperator Electrically driven high speed oil free motor (greater than 2000 revolutions/second) Regenerative: Pulse Tube Regenerator Displacer Cryogenic gas circulation system for broad area cooling of cryogenic tanks or heat exchangers Spaceflight certifiable cryocooler control electronics (CCE) for a recuperative or regenerative cycle meeting the system performance listed above Additionally, in support of the Executive Order (EO) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, NASA is seeking to advance equity or remove barriers for members of underserved communities related to this requirement. As defined in the EO, Underserved Communities refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of "equity." Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. NASA seeks input in the following areas: 1. To support the requirements identified in this request for information sources sought notification, what barriers or opportunities exist to engage subject matter experts from industry and academia and how can those barriers be overcome? How can underserved communities be leveraged? 2. To support the requirements identified in this SS, what barriers or opportunities exist to partner with subcontractors that employ members of underserved communities, as defined above? 3. What other recommendations would you make to enhance diversity and inclusion? 4. What should be considered to encourage full participation and contribution of organizations and individuals (e.g., outreach efforts and innovative partnerships) in performance of this requirement? All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Bryan Bregard at bryan.c.bregard@nasa.gov no later than October 15, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. CST. Please reference Cryogenic Active Cooling for Human Exploration (CACHE) in any response. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents in order to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.