Horiba Fuelcon Upgrade for Mars SOFC Applications

This contract entails an on-site engineering assessment and subsequent recommissioning of the existing Horiba Fuelcon test equipment to enable it to handle methane/oxygen-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) articles, specifically for Mars-related applications. Key modifications include the addition of oxygen handling capabilities, an increase in methane handling capacity, and an upgrade to the load bank capacity. Safety enhancements will also be incorporated through updates to the safety matrix, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage of all modified components. Following these modifications, the contractor will perform on-site startup and recommissioning to validate the updated equipment’s operational readiness. The work will take place in Cleveland, and NASA’s Glenn Research Center (GRC) is overseeing the project. The contract is identified as a forecast opportunity under solicitation number nasa-966fa2cfc2d071df, with further details to be determined regarding set-aside statuses. The procurement falls under the NAICS code 334515, indicating a focus on instruments manufacturing. Points of contact for the acquisition include Zhimin Zhong and Small Business Specialist Robert E. Watts, who can provide additional information on the scope and participation opportunities. This upgrade is critical for preparing test infrastructure to support advanced Mars SOFC fuel technology development.