NASA GSFC Partnership Opportunity Document for Functional prototype of a Space-based x-ray Computed Tomography

1.0 Introduction and Scope NASA/GSFC is seeking partners to propose in response to NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) Early Career Initiative (ECI) opportunity. ECI enables early career NASA technologists to deliver transformative technologies while teaming with world-class external innovators. NASA/GSFC is interested in partners that can collaborate on the development of highly innovative space hardware technologies that includes hands-on development and testing of a technology with the potential to enhance or enable future missions. The project team will be led by a NASA/GSFC early career civil servant employee and include any combination of highly qualified external partner(s). Proposing core teams will include one to four NASA/GSFC civil servants and one to four external partners (e.g., from academic, commercial, other government agencies, etc.); the core team may have no more than eight members total. Teams must propose innovative space hardware-focused projects lasting no more than 2 years and costing no more than $400K in procurements per year. The general approach will be milestone-based with a continuation review after the first year and a final presentation to NASA Headquarters in the last year. For this partnership opportunity dealing with the preparation of ECI proposals, there will be no exchange of funds between the partnering team(s). Responses to this notice will serve as the basis for selection of proposal partners for ECI. 2. Technical Objectives NASA Goddard (GSFC) seeks to develop deep-space Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) systems optimized for rapid "volumetric imaging" to inspect additively-manufactured (AM) parts, existing flight hardware, and for 3D internal assessment of lunar materials as part of in situ resources evaluation and associated scientific analysis. A key first step is developing pathway technologies for a first-ever x-ray Computed Tomography (xCT) scanner in space, designed for whole samples or scanning relevant objects inside containers or encapsulation systems. A lunar surface xCT scanner could be a multipurpose evaluation system to: - provide rapid assessment or science triage to help crew prioritize collected materials for ISRU experimentation - assess the quality of AM-parts manufactured on the Moon - inspect sub-system parts and hardware of suspected of damage. GSFC is looking for partner(s) to develop a functional prototype and pathway technologies to meet these longer term goals that specifically align with the following technical areas: - Early stage design, development, evaluation and integration of computed tomography (CT) systems - In house software development capabilities involving both CT acquisition and reconstruction - Demonstrated ability to bring new technologies to market - Demonstrated ability to advance and improve upon CT reconstruction capabilities - In house capabilities to develop hardware control software utilizing commercial off the shelf (COTS) motion control equipment, power supplies, drivers, etc. - Demonstrated knowledge and use of multiple types/brands of COTS x-ray generation equipment - Demonstrated knowledge and use of multiple types/brands of COTS x-ray imaging sensors and panel detectors - Demonstrated ability to develop custom engineering solutions aimed at utilizing existing equipment to produce integrated 3D x-ray imaging systems - Demonstrated familiarity in CT system design requirements and anticipated CT scan setup parameters to address NASA missions involving the following: o additively manufactured parts inspection o flaw detection in common spaceflight metals and hardware o rock and core sample interrogation - Ability to meet reduced Size, Weight And Power (SWAP) requirements for in space applications and adaptation of components for extreme environments (radiation hardening, extreme temperatures, etc.), as defined by the GSFC investigative team. - Innovative and lean project management approach, enabling agile design iteration and implementation 3. Responsibilities of partners NASA/GSFC reserves the right to communicate with potential proposal partners for additional information about their interest and capability. NASA/GSFC reserves the option to not select any teaming partners under this offering on the basis of material received. All information received in response to this notice that is marked 'Proprietary' will be handled and protected accordingly. 4. Responding to the Sources Sought Synopsis Potential partners may submit questions to Irene Bibyk via email at Irene.Bibyk@nasa.gov and Alejandro Montoya via email at alejandro.f.montoya@nasa.gov. Pertinent information from questions and answers will be shared with all interested parties that respond with an interest to submit a proposal, without disclosing the identity of the sources of the questions Send proposal responses via email to Irene Bibyk (irene.bibyk@nasa.gov) and Alejandro Montoya (alejandro.f.montoya@nasa.gov) by June 24, 2019. Written responses shall: 1. Not exceed 5 pages per proposal, plus up to 4 1-page resumes for individuals 2. Use an Arial font text with a size not smaller than 12 point except for tables and chart graphics which can use 10 point 3. Include all information requested in this notice 4. Provide a Point of Contact and email to address questions from NASA Response to this notice must: 1. Address capabilities the responder has to offer 2. Identify particularly critical or challenging areas that have been overcome 3. Indicate the resources (skill and time) that would be allocated to the technology development phase. 4. Describe the work that is similar to the proposed area: to include grants and/or contracts, etc. 5. Selection Criteria for Awarding Partnership Opportunity GSFC will evaluate the responses based on the following criteria: Technical 1. Feasibility of the proposed technology development approach 2. Effectiveness of the capabilities and qualifications to meet the proposed technology developments 3. Effectiveness of the processes (including methods) and/or facilities to support the proposed technical areas 4. Relevance and effectiveness of experience and past similar performance to meet the proposed technology development areas Innovative Approaches and Partnering 1. Innovativeness of the technology development concepts as applied to the designated GSFC technology areas identified in Section 2 2. Likelihood to meaningfully advance the technology leading to its eventual utilization 3. Ability to work as a part of a government-industry team that may include other industrial partners, academia and/or other government agencies 4. Innovativeness of the management and/or technical partnering approaches that could be used to optimize resources and technical development, including a description on how the approach will help successfully execute the technology development work plan Cost 1. Reasonableness of cost and schedule cost estimates