NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE MODIFICATION - NASA COMMERCIAL CREW SPACE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

NASA Kennedy Space Center intends to issue a sole source modification to SpaceX under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 to acquire five additional Post Certification Missions (PCMs) under the Commercial Crew Transportation Capabilities (CCtCap) contract NNK14MA74C. In December 2021, NASA announced the extension of the International Space Station (ISS) to 2030. These additional missions are needed in order to enable NASA to meet its mission requirements to maintain crew onboard the ISS and to meet obligations under agreements with its International Partners. According to the NASA Authorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 810 (Feb. 9, 2015)), - It is the policy of the United States to maintain an uninterrupted capability for human space flight and operations in low-Earth orbit, and beyond, as an essential instrument of national security and the capability to ensure continued United States participation and leadership in the exploration and utilization of space. NASA has CCtCap contracts with Boeing and SpaceX. SpaceX is the only known source of a Crew Transportation System (CTS) that has been certified by NASA to provide crew transportation services to the ISS. SpaceX has launched four PCMs to the ISS. Due to the technical and schedule challenges experienced by Boeing, the number of missions previously awarded to Boeing and SpaceX, NASA projections of when alternative crew transportation systems will be available, and the technical challenges associated with establishing and maintaining a CTS capability for crewed flights to the ISS approximately every six months, it is necessary to award five additional PCMs to SpaceX. In addition, awarding five additional PCMs to SpaceX will ensure redundant and backup capabilities through 2030, which is essential for the following reasons: (i) the obligation to provide continuous flight availability for the safe operation of the ISS; (ii) the potential for anomalies or accidents; (iii) the potential for unforeseen external factors; and, (iv) risks associated with the design of a safe and reliable CTS. The anomaly with the Boeing Orbital Flight Test (OFT) and subsequent technical issues that led to delays of the OFT-2 and subsequent flights demonstrate the importance of having redundant and back-up capabilities in order for NASA to meet its mission requirements to maintain crew onboard the ISS and to meet its obligations under agreements with its International partners to assure continued crewed access to the ISS. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Brian Hinerth at brian.s.hinerth@nasa.gov and Joseph Bell at joseph.m.bell@nasa.gov not later than 5:00PM EDT on June 16, 2022. 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 https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf An RFI was posted on October 20, 2021, requesting information from industry to help NASA formulate an acquisition approach for the procurement of additional PCMs. Responses to the October 20, 2021 RFI and any information received in response to this NOI will be used to inform NASA's planning for an acquisition approach.