Lunar Exploration Transportation Services (LETS) Sources Sought

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for NASA's Lunar Exploration Transportation Services (LETS) procurement. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 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 (EO) 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 LETS. 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. NASA is planning to develop the LETS solicitation to procure space transportation services. NASA's Human Landing System (HLS) Program will be responsible for the LETS acquisition and the management and execution of any resultant LETS contract(s). The HLS Program seeks to procure a commercially-designed, developed, and NASA-certified human lunar lander services capability with the goal of utilizing recurring services in 2028 and thereafter to allow NASA to routinely deliver crew to the surface of the Moon. NASA is also considering incorporating the delivery of mission-critical logistics, as well as scientific and architectural elements, payloads, and cargo within the LETS procurement. NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) provides leadership and management of crewed exploration space design and development beyond low-Earth orbit. As part of that responsibility, ESDMD is charged with leading NASA's Artemis development efforts such as HLS, which will return America to the Moon and provide preparation for eventual Mars missions by employing innovative technologies and exploring more of the lunar surface than ever before. Through Artemis, NASA will collaborate with commercial and international providers to engage in sustainable lunar exploration for the first time. ESDMD is developing an Artemis Base Camp concept of operations to help create and refine future element requirements for establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon. To achieve its goal of a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, NASA requires the ability to repeatedly transport crew to and from the lunar surface and a cargo landing capability for human-rated equipment. NASA envisions that the LETS procurement will be the mechanism by which NASA acquires these services. Draft requirements and design reference missions are attached to provide more information regarding the development of sustainable and affordable lunar transportation capabilities. No LETS 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. Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references. Additionally, in support of EO 13985, 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 EO's 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 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 sources sought notification, 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 Jennifer McCaghren at jennifer.b.mccaghren@nasa.gov and Robyn Crabtree at robyn.v.crabtree@nasa.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time, October 6, 2021. Please reference - LETS Sources Sought Notice 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 by the Government of the Government's review or use of any information submitted.