X--REQUEST FOR INTEREST BY PROSPECTIVE TENANTS OF EXPLORATION PARK

NASA is seeking information and formal expressions of interest from industry, academia, and other prospective tenants of Exploration Park at Kennedy Space Center. This request is associated with NASA's Request for Proposals (RFP) EUL-01-2006 issued September 1, 2006 seeking offers for a Master Developer of Exploration Park. That RFP is available at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/sol.cgi?acqid=121153. EUL-01-2006 seeks offers from qualified firms interested in leading the development and long-term operation of Exploration Park, which NASA has established to enable and grow private sector participation in space exploration, support commercial space transportation and promote commercial development of technologies for application in space and on earth. NASA plans to negotiate a 50-year lease and development agreement, which could extend for up to 99 years, with the selected master developer. NASA anticipates making a selection of a Master Developer in early 2007. Contingent upon successfully completing the selection and negotiation of an Enhanced Use Lease and Development Agreement with a Master Developer, NASA anticipates availability of improved sites in Exploration Park as early as mid 2009. Tenants of Exploration Park will enter into commercial subleases of improved parcels, or for space in multi-tenant facilities or facilities built to tenant specifications by the Master Developer, with the Master Developer, subject to the terms and conditions of the negotiated agreement between the Master Developer and NASA. NASA does not plan to lease or otherwise furnish facilities constructed in Exploration Park to its contractors as Government Furnished Property. NASA and international partner contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers/vendors; commercial firms associated with non-NASA operations at Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; applied technology, engineering, and research organizations; and other potential tenants of Exploration Park which are approved by NASA, will negotiate for sites, space, and related services directly with the selected Master Developer in a manner similar to any other commercial environment on non-federal land. Commercial entities and other non-NASA organizations which envision a need and benefit from locating in Exploration Park, are consistent with the guidelines NASA has published in this RFI, and which are acceptable for tenancy in Exploration Park, will be forwarded to the Master Developer candidates (short list) to support development of the park's initial construction phase. Interested firms and organizations are asked to respond in writing to this request for tenant expressions of interest by completing and submitting the information in the form published with this RFI, which is also available electronically on the tenant page of the Exploration Park website: Only those responses received by NASA by November 9, 2006, and which include the prospect's written approval to disclose to the Master Developer candidates, will be assured consideration for inclusion in NASA-furnished inputs to the development of initial phase building program concepts. NASA Approval Right, Tenant Eligibility Guidelines & Prohibited Uses Because of national security, site safety, and other potential factors difficult to comprehensively anticipate, NASA requires the right to approve tenants and uses in Exploration Park. There are some types of uses which are not deemed to be acceptable for Exploration Park. NASA does not intend to allow: - Highly-hazardous activities or materials - Heavy industrial manufacturing - Warehousing as stand-alone use - Hotels or other major tourist facilities - Political, social, or religious-affiliated organizations NASA proposes the following tenant criteria be used as guidelines in determining the appropriateness of prospective uses and tenants. The proposed tenant eligibility guidelines are: Activities with a requirement or demonstrated benefit for close proximity to KSC/CCAFS facilities or personnel, related to the NASA mission, or those related to space commerce and commercialization; Activities related to research and technology development or demonstration with known or potential application to activities in space or improvement of life on earth, including energy-related or environmental activities; Activities of an academic/educational nature with current or potential partnership with NASA/CCAFS; Activities offering support services that may reasonably be required by park tenants or resident government or contractor organizations of KSC/CCAFS, e.g. technical support, business services, and incidental, limited retail support services as deemed appropriate to support the needs of park tenants. Retail sales should not significantly compete with merchandise sales of the KSC Visitor Complex. Conceptual Identification of Types of Tenants, and Example Projects NASA has provided in EUL-01-2006 the following conceptual thoughts about potential specific projects, based in part on previously expressed tenant interest or current market indications, to suggest some possibilities for initial project content. Objectives and vision for synergy with NASA's future exploration missions, and an expanded role for the private sector in space activities, may suggest any number of additional mixed use projects. - Exploration Park Office Complex - A multi-tenant office building located near the Park's primary access point to satisfy initial and near term demand for administrative offices, educational uses, and other similar functions. - Technology Development and Applications Complex - A multi-tenant flex-space building, or buildings, to provide accommodations for technical support operations, technology development, technical or engineering services, light manufacturing, testing, processing and other compatible uses - Space Center Medical and Wellness Facility - A hospital-affiliated medical services and wellness facility complex to offer convenient services for the KSC workforce, tenants of Exploration Park, visitors, and the broader local community. - Alternative Fuels Consumer Service Station - An automotive fueling station offering conventional and alternative fuel choices for the KSC vehicle fleet, the broader KSC community, and public visitors to the nearby KSC Visitor Complex. KSC currently has 1,756 General Services Administration (GSA) vehicles. Of these, 935 use unleaded gas and 821 use alternative fuels (136 use Compressed Natural Gas, 140 use Bio-diesel - B20, and 545 are Flex Fuel Vehicles that use E-85). - Academic Facility - A stand alone project, or combined with a multi-tenant facility, to cluster educational functions and academic research or applied technology development. NASA and its contractors, and presumably the future tenants of Exploration Park, have workforce education and training needs requiring specialized curriculum. Some higher education institutions already find sites on the space center to conduct classes and other academic programs. NASA believes an academic presence in Exploration Park is important, and that some level of demand likely exists from providers. - Technical Services and Support Laboratories - Past expressions of interest by KSC contractors and others suggest a demand for dedicated or shared facilities that can be leased by organizations that supply technical services to both NASA and commercial customers. These would likely represent significant square footage requirements for functions NASA periodically re-competes. NASA has communicated with prospective park tenants for several years. Some have remained consistently interested in leasing space in the park even as NASA's mission focus has changed. Others have emerged more recently due to the anticipated exploration activities and increased commercial participation. Detailed prospective tenant information will be shared with the selected Master Developer to the extent permitted by those expressions NASA has or will receive. Tenant Prospect Information Requested To Be Submitted In Response Interested parties who intend to formally express their interest in becoming a tenant of Exploration Park through this RFI are asked to complete and submit the following minimum information: 1. Identify and briefly describe interested organization 2. Provide organization address 3. Point of Contact: (name, telephone number, email) 4. Describe the type of activity you propose to engage in as a tenant 5. Define whether you are interested in developing a site for use by others, have a site developed for your use as the primary tenant occupant (dedicated facility), or lease space in a multi-tenant facility 6. Identify your anticipated site and/or space needs: such as a dedicated parcel of ____ acres for a tenant-developed facility, a build-to-suit dedicated facility of _____ square feet, or leased space of ________ square feet in a multi tenant facility. 7. Characterize your space requirements by office, technical, manufacturing, processing, or other appropriate category 8. Identify your anticipated need date for occupancy 9. Describe any special requirements for utilities or services 10. Identify the number and type of employees anticipated for this activity 11. Indicate whether NASA may forward this data to the short-listed Master Developer offerors for their initial phase planning 12. Provide any additional information you deem appropriate to assist NASA and the Master Developer offerors understand your interest and requirements The written response may be submitted by mail to: James E. Ball Spaceport Development Manager Mail Code TA-E Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 The written response may be submitted electronically as an attachment to: contact@example.gov Additional Information for Prospective Tenants The opportunity for tenants to lease sites and space in Exploration Park is contingent upon NASA's successful completion of its solicitation for a Master Developer, negotiation of an Enhanced Use Lease and Development Agreement with the Master Developer, and upon the Master Developer's successful execution of the initial phase of infrastructure and building construction required to provide serviced sites for tenant facilities. Publication of this RFI does not assure responders that space will be available to accommodate their interest or that facilities will be available for commercial lease in Exploration Park by mid 2009. While it is NASA's intent that Exploration Park will offer commercially-competitive, market-based lease rates and terms to prospective tenants, NASA makes no representations as to the commercial terms and conditions that the selected Master Developer will offer to tenants who enter into subleases for sites or space in Exploration Park. Response to the RFI, and acceptance of the response by NASA, does not constitute formal NASA approval of the prospective tenant or use, and more information may be required by NASA before the prospective tenant and use are determined to be acceptable to NASA for tenancy in the park. The Master Developer and tenants will have 24/7 access to Exploration Park. NASA will manage traffic and public access to KSC for major NASA launches and events, but will work with the Master Developer to assure access to Exploration Park tenants and their employees. Park employee badges, entry via State Road 3, or other access assurance methods may be involved. In the event of extraordinary and unpredictable circumstances that could arise from hostile acts, warfare, major accidents, or natural disaster, Exploration Park access by the Master Developer, tenants, and their employees will be no less than NASA-badged KSC administrative employees. Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude prospective tenants from being proposed in responses by Master Developer offerors to NASA, or by subsequent discussions with either NASA or the Master Developer as design and construction of the initial phase of Exploration Park proceeds. Inquiries regarding this RFI may be directed to: James E. Ball Spaceport Development Manager NASA Kennedy Space Center +1 (555) 000-0000 Email: contact@example.gov