NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) Facility

Presolicitation Notice - Synopsis Title: NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) NASA/GRC has a requirement for the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT), which is a test facility at Plum Brook Station that allows the testing of high-power equipment for eventual use in hybrid-electric aircraft systems. It is one of the only facilities in the world that can test high-power systems and components under simulated altitude conditions. NEAT is part of the Electrified Aircraft Powertrain Technologies (EAPT) sub-project, which is part of the Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) project. The EAPT sub-project is exploring multiple technologies that would enable electric, or hybrid-electric, aircraft, resulting in quieter, more fuel-efficient, and more environmentally-friendly flight. In order to simulate an aircraft powertrain on the ground, NEAT uses commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) motors to simulate the turbofans, generators, and motors that would be part of a full electrical system on a hybrid-electric aircraft. In order to drive and control these motors, NEAT also uses COTS inverters. The inverters that are currently in use at NEAT are rated for use at 700V. However, research shows that actual electrical systems on hybrid-electric aircraft will operate at 1000V because this voltage allows for lighter-weight hardware. This procurement of 1000V inverters have allowed the NEAT project to build a permanent testbed that is capable of testing real, flight-like hardware at the appropriate voltage. Quantities/Units of Measure: - (10) inverters rated for use at 1000V - (10) resolver/encoder cables - (10) motor temperature cables - Required mating sockets and connectors. NASA/GRC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the items from American Traction System. The Market Research on multiple inverter manufacturers has shown that only American Traction Systems (ATS) offers a commercial-off-the-shelf inverter that is capable of operating at 1000V. The required inverters are an item unique to this manufacturer and are therefore being sole-sourced. There is no other available inverter that fulfills the requirements of the NEAT project. This statement justifies the lack of competition under authority of FAR 6.302. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Kimberly Hill at kimberly.y.hill@nasa.gov, not later than July 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. EST. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. 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