NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations Neoteric eXploration Technologies (NEEMO NXT)

NASA/JSC has a requirement to acquire the following services from Nuytco Research Ltd for the rental of Deepwork mini-submersibles and Exosuit 1-astmosphere Dive Suit (ADS). NASA/JSC intends to obtain these services from Nuytco Research Ltd. The scope of work includes rental of the Deepwork mini-submersibles, rental of the ADS, and mission support services. These services will support the joint underwater missions in support of operational tests where planetary exploration techniques and technologies will be developed. The mini-submersibles provide performance characteristics and operational challenges similar to those of both planetary rovers and unmanned robotics. The ADS brings many of the same challenges found in a space suit (e.g., reduced mobility, operator fatigue, reduced visibility) while also offering enough headroom to incorporate state of the art informatics solutions for evaluation. Astronauts will be trained to operate either or both vehicles, and will provide end-operator feedback to the tests. Current market research indicates that there are no other vendors available with the specialized equipment to provide the services needed for this requirement. The Government intends to acquire the required service using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the Contracting Officer, Ashley Alessandrini, at ashley.n.alessandrini@nasa.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on May 2, 2019. Such capabilities and qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based on responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. 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