NASA/GSFC Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) Early Career Initiative (ECI) Partnering Opportunity (2)

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 $600k 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). NASA/GSFC reserves the option to not select any teaming partners under this partnership opportunity. This joint proposal will be reviewed and considered by NASA/GSFC for submission to NASA Headquarters (HQ). If the joint proposal is selected, NASA GSFC anticipates issuing contracts or other agreements to the selected partner(s) to perform the proposed work with the GSFC Project Lead. Responses to this notice will serve as the basis for selection of proposal partners for ECI. 2. Technical Objectives GSFC is looking for partner(s) that aligns with the following technical area: Additive manufacturing techniques, including direct assembly or similar capabilities and support that include: - Printing of nanomaterials, conductive and insulating materials with feature sizes of 50 microns or less, over a length of at least 7 cm and can traverse a change in vertical height on up to 1 mm, with minimal trace resistance. - Printing of multiple layers, with each layer aligned with another layer to fabricate multilayered structures. - Sintering of the printed materials capable of housing 10 cm x 10 cm substrates - Printing and sintering setup in a clean room environment 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. 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 Proposal responses are due via email to Irene Bibyk (irene.bibyk@nasa.gov) by 4:30 EST on August 23, 2017. 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. Relevant past performance and description of work to include list of contracts, grants and other work completed which are relevant or similar to the work being proposed. 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 Responses to this opportunity will be treated as proprietary information and will be controlled as such. This partnering opportunity does not guarantee selection for award of any contracts or other agreements, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by NASA to pay for the information solicited. No solicitation exists: This is not a solicitation, so please do not request a copy. However, if a prospective partner is selected for participation in the STMD Early Career Initiative, Call for Proposals, it will be so notified by the GSFC Office of Procurement and all necessary communications will occur at that time. Only those who reply to this Sources Sought notice will be eligible for participation.