Request for Information (RFI) for Commercial Space Flight of DoD Space Test Program (STP) Payloads

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS REQUEST IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A SOLICITATION, A REQUEST FOR QUOTES, OR AN INDICATION THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRACT FOR THE ITEMS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT REIMBURSE RESPONDENTS FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBMISSION OF THE INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED OR REIMBURSE EXPENSES INCURRED TO INTERESTED PARTIES FOR RESPONSES. Background & Description This Request for Information (RFI) by the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Development and Test Directorate (SMC/SD) seeks industry feedback on spaceflight opportunities for DoD Space Test Program (STP) hosted payloads (HPs) on commercial space vehicles (SVs) and STP provided space vehicle payloads (SVPs) on commercially acquired launches. The goal is to explore the potential for launch of an STP payload on a commercial host SV and/or commercial launch in calendar years (CYs) 2012 or 2013. The government seeks insight into commercial best practices and rideshare implications for secondary government payloads. Potential candidate STP payloads and general spaceflight requirements are listed in Tables 1 and 2 contained in Attachment 1. Responders may respond to one or multiple payloads listed in Table 1 and/or Table 2. SMC/SD solicits industry's questions, comments and areas/ideas for the government to consider relative to this RFI. Objectives Attachment 2 contains the objectives for this RFI. Responses This section contains all information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. SMC appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources that meet the following format. A non-proprietary one page cover sheet should identify this RFI number & title, organization(s), responder's technical and administrative points of contact including names, titles, postal address, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses. Responses must be attached to the cover sheet and pages must be clearly numbered, but are not limited in format or length. However, responses must address each of the objectives identified in Attachment 2 for SVP's or HP's as applicable. The government is not seeking lengthy detailed responses or general capabilities information and asks that responses be limited to focus on the objectives identified in Attachment 2. All inquiries (technical, contractual, administrative), questions, or clarifications of any kind must be submitted via email to the contracting and technical POCs listed below. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. RFI responses must be delivered to the Contracting POC no later than 4:00 PM, Local Time, Albuquerque, NM, on 7 March 2011. To the extent possible, all responses should be unclassified and for general access by the Government, other evaluators, and other respondents. All material provided (responses, discussions, questions/answers, and other data) that is not related to competition sensitive or contractor proprietary material may be provided to other respondents. Any material provided may be used in development of future solicitations. Any proprietary information submitted must be clearly and separately identified and marked and will be appropriately protected. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Any classified responses must meet the format and delivery instructions described in this RFI. In addition, classified delivery must be arranged in advance. Responses at classification levels above DoD SECRET are discouraged, but may be considered. Classified responses must include identification of their source of classification guidance. Disclaimers and Notes This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a program or contractual solicitation. SMC is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of submissions or of the information received, or to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Government intends to use the information received in response to this RFI for planning purposes for which a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) may result. However, the Government will not award a contract directly on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Participants in the review and evaluation of responses may include: The US Government; Federally Funded R&D Centers (such as The Aerospace Corp, Lincoln Laboratory, and MITRE); Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) contractors (such as Jackson & Tull); all are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Regarding this RFI, no contact is allowed with these organizations except as may be arranged in advance with the point of contact (POC) listed below. Possible Government/Industry Exchange Meetings (GEMs) An informal GEM may be held at Kirtland Air Force Base or other locations. The Government may request GEMs with individual respondents to enable questions/clarifications on their RFI response. Because of space limitations, the number of participants per organization may be restricted. GEM participants must be US citizens and must submit visit requests. Attendance at GEMs will be voluntary. SMC will not provide any cost reimbursement for GEM attendance. Points of Contacts (POCs) Contracting POCs: Chris Milburn, Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) Phone: (505) 846-5083 Email: chris.milburn@kirtland.af.mil Ed Kurjanowicz, Contract Specialist Phone: (505) 853-1750 Email: edward.kurjanowicz@kirtland.af.mil Contracting Office Address Space Development and Test Directorate, Contracting 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 87117 Technical Point of Contact: Capt Rachel Derbis, COTR Phone (505) 853-2930 Email: Rachel.Derbis@kirtland.af.mil Primary Point of Contact: Chris Milburn Secondary Point of Contact: Ed Kurjanowicz