Launch Systems Automation - Request for Information

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is conducting market research to gain an understanding of industry capabilities and level of interest in participating in funded technology development in some or all of the following Launch System Automation areas: - Propellant management which includes unattended storage and transfer, measuring and sampling of cryogens, and high pressure gases - Autonomous command, monitoring and control of integrated ground systems for both nominal and contingency operations - Architectures for autonomous control of Ground systems and/or control software programming that utilizes machine learning and/or other forms of artificial intelligence to provide autonomous decision making, test and checkout, troubleshooting, and health monitoring - Interfaces, controllers, actuators, valving, sensors, or other components to enable the unattended integration and preparation of vehicles for launch. NASA/KSC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including Small, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a), Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SD-VOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) businesses, and Colleges and Universities to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI). OVERVIEW: KSC is seeking to pursue advancements in the development, acquisition, and applications of new technologies in support of future NASA and commercial space industry activities at KSC. NAICS CODE: The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for this activity is 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Secondary NAICS codes include 541330 Engineering Services, 541420 Industrial Design Services, and the technology developed may involve elements of 334513 Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables, 332911 Industrial Valve Manufacturing, 335314 Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing, and 541511 Custom Computer Programming Services. DISCLAIMER: No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. It is the potential offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. This sources sought synopsis is for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for any information solicited. Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters or results will be issued to the respondents. NASA does not plan to respond to individual responses and does not intend to post information or questions received to any website or public access location. This Sources Sought Notice is a market research tool only that will be used to understand the current state of the industry capabilities and interest in to performing technology development services; all interested parties are encouraged to respond with a capabilities package as requested below. CAPABILITIES PACKAGE:Interested offerors having capabilities to contribute to technology development in this industrial sector should submit capability documentation (not to exceed 5 pages) indicating their ability to contribute to the effort described herein. Please reference Launch System Automation, Solicitation number: RFI-KSC-LSA-2018, in any response. All responses should be provided electronically in PDF or Microsoft Office compatible format. A one page cover letter in addition to the capability submission must be provided with the following information: (1) Company Name and Address; (2) Company Business Size and Business Size Status (e.g., large, small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned small, HUBZone small, 8(a), etc.); and (3) Point-of-Contact name, phone number, and e-mail address. (4) A short summary (bullet list preferred) of the offeror's specific capabilities that are relevant to the Launch System Automation technology development activities. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation and copies of capability statements will not be made available. The capability statement and cover letter must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer's email address: steve.parker@nasa.gov no later than December 15th, 2017, 12:00 P.M. ET. The subject line for email submission should be Launch System Automation. NASA/KSC may not evaluate offeror submissions that do not comply with the submission instructions. NASA/KSC will evaluate all offeror submissions that comply with the submission instructions using the following criteria: breadth and depth of capabilities and relevancy of experience as it relates to Launch System Automation. A debrief will not be available. NASA KSC may hold one-on-one discussions with respondents at a later date. 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.