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FBO DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 19, 2008 FBO #2580
SOURCES SOUGHT

99 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER AND SPACE SHUTTLE MAINENGINE PLACEMENT

Notice Date
12/17/2008
 
Notice Type
Sources Sought
 
NAICS
712110 — Museums
 
Contracting Office
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
 
ZIP Code
20771
 
Solicitation Number
NNH09OI001L
 
Response Due
3/17/2009
 
Archive Date
12/17/2009
 
Point of Contact
Richard A Wickman, Transition Manager for Infrastructure, Phone 877-283-1977, Fax 202-358-2826, />
 
E-Mail Address
HQ-SSP_RFI@mail.nasa.gov<br
 
Small Business Set-Aside
N/A
 
Description
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment,implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) willtake procurement action in this matter. Further, neither NASA nor the Government will beresponsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information.NASA recognizes the interest by educational institutions, science museums, and otherappropriate organizations in the acquisition of NASA Shuttle-related property followingthe last flight of the Space Shuttle. While NASAs priority is flying the remainingShuttle missions safely, because of the quantity, complexity, and dispersion of the SpaceShuttle Program (SSP) assets, successful Space Shuttle transition and retirement requirescareful planning prior to program completion, currently scheduled for September 2010. This RFI is being used to gather market research for NASA to make decisions regardingdevelopment of strategies for placement of Space Shuttle Orbiters and Space Shuttle MainEngines (SSMEs) for public display after conclusion of the SSP. NASA is seekinginformation from educational institutions, science museums, and other appropriateorganizations about the communitys ability to acquire and display a Space ShuttleOrbiter after the vehicles are retired from flight status. NASA is interested in identifying whether potential recipient organizations are capableof bearing the full cost of Space Shuttle Orbiter safing and final display preparation,SSME assembly and final display preparation, and transportation. Orbiter safing includesitems such as decontamination of hypergolic fuel systems and removal of other safety andenvironmental hazards from the vehicles. Organizations interested in receiving a SpaceShuttle Orbiter for public display must be prepared to raise sufficient funding for SpaceShuttle Orbiter safing, final display preparation, and transportation services. Organizations interested in receiving a SSME for public display must be prepared to raisesufficient funding for SSME final display preparation and transportation services.Organizations seeking an SSME may either independently contract and pay for engineassembly and display services, or accept the SSME as disassembled components for assemblyby in-house staff. Organizations that ultimately receive an Orbiter or SSME will beresponsible for all costs.NASA will use the results of this RFI to determine interest that may lead to selection ofspecific organizations to receive a Space Shuttle Orbiter or SSME. The Orbiters andSSMEs may be directly transferred or donated to eligible recipient organizations underthe authority provided by 40 U.S.C. 529.Background:NASA will cease SSP operations at all locations following completion of the last flight,currently scheduled to occur no later than September 30, 2010.The Government may electto change the scheduled date for last flight. SSP retirement necessitates thedisposition of all SSP assets and items no longer required by NASA, including the SpaceShuttle Orbiters and SSMEs. Disposition of SSP property will be accomplished accordingto existing government policy and guidelines developed and managed by the GeneralServices Administration (GSA). The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-422) directs NASA to submit to Congress aplan describing the process for the disposition of the remaining Orbiters and other SpaceShuttle program-related hardware after the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet. NASAadvised the Congress that it would begin discussions with the Smithsonian Institution,National Air and Space Museum regarding accession of a flown Space Shuttle Orbiter to thenational collection. The National Air and Space Museum houses the national collection ofaerospace artifacts. NASA also advised the Congress that the Agency would issue an RFIto gauge the level and scope of interest of U.S. organizations in acquiring the two (2)other Orbiters and other major flight hardware (such as the SSMEs) for public displayonce NASAs programmatic requirements for the assets have been satisfied. P.L. 110-422 further directs NASA to terminate or suspend any activity of the Agencythat, if continued between the date of enactment of this Act and April 30, 2009, wouldpreclude the continued safe and effective flight of the Space Shuttle after fiscal year2010 if the President inaugurated on January 20, 2009, were to make a determination todelay the Space Shuttles scheduled retirement. NASA is issuing this RFI solely forplanning purposes in order to give interested recipients time to make their interest inacquiring Space Shuttle Orbiters and/or SSMEs known and begin planning for thateventuality. SSP Hardware Addressed in this RFI:Space Shuttle OrbitersNASAs Space Shuttle Orbiters (Figure 1) are the first reusable spacecraft capable ofroutinely launching into orbit like rockets and then returning to Earth as gliders. These unique crew and heavy cargo-carrying vehicles are the main element of the NationalSpace Transportation System that has been the mainstay of the U.S. human spaceflightprogram for more than a quarter-century. The Space Shuttle Orbiters have and continue toperform a wide variety of scientific research and space operations missions, includingthe final assembly of the International Space Station.Due to the significance of the Space Shuttle Orbiters and the role they have played inthe Nations space program, special attention will be paid to ensuring they will retireto appropriate places.NASA is keenly aware of the essential value of these key assetsto the space programs rich history; the Agency is therefore committed to makingplacement decisions that are determined to be in the best interest of the Americantaxpayer.NASAs current plan is to transfer one flown Orbiter to the National Air and SpaceMuseum. The remaining two flown Orbiters would be placed in storage at the John F.Kennedy Space Center until final placement decisions are made.The Orbiters would beavailable for donation no earlier than September 30, 2011. NASA desires to ferry theOrbiters to their final destinations no later than May 31, 2012. Assembled SSMEs willnot be installed in, nor included with, the Orbiters.NASA estimates the total cost to be incurred by a recipient organization for safing oneOrbiter, preparing it for final display, and delivery by ferry flight to a U.S.destination airport at approximately $42 million. This $42 million estimate includes a$6 million cost to air ferry the Orbiter by Shuttle Carrier Aircraft from the KennedySpace Center to a U. S. destination airport. This early estimate is based on specificassumptions by NASA about the minimum tasks which must be performed for public display ofa Space Shuttle Orbiter. The estimate is subject to change. It does not take intoaccount special measures that may be required in specific situations such as transportingthe Orbiter long distances over public roadways which may require removal of light postsand traffic signals or transport by barge over water. Additional preparation tasks suchas fabrication of engine bay covers or mock nozzles, open payload bay door displayconfiguration, and lighting on the vehicle would also increase costs to recipients. TheOrbiters will not be disassembled for transportation or storage.Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs)The SSMEs (Figure 2) are the liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen engines located at the aft endof the Space Shuttle Orbiter. These unique, reusable power plants provide propulsionduring the ascent of the Space Shuttle, with each engine generating 490,800 lbs. ofthrust. Overall, each SSME weighs approximately 7,800 lbs. Current planning calls for the SSMEs to be retired along with the Space Shuttle fleet. In the immediate future, however, NASA will retain flight-worthy engines for technicalmitigation and potential programmatic reuse within NASA or the Department of Defenseuntil final disposition decisions are made. At least six (6), but potentially as many asten (10), non-flight-worthy unassembled or partially assembled but largely complete SSMEswill be available for donation as early as mid-2009. Current, obsolete, and scrapcomponents would be brought together by NASA into unassembled or partially assembleddisplay engine kits.Depending on availability of engine components, some kits mayrequire mock components to make a complete engine display. Recipient organizations wouldbe responsible for transporting, assembling and preparing the engines kits for displayusing in-house staff or through separate agreements with aerospace contractors. Thetotal estimated cost to be incurred by a recipient organization for assembling a completeSSME for static display is in the range of $400,000 $800,000, exclusive of shippingcosts.Shipping costs will be borne by the recipient organization. The estimate issubject to change. Assembly costs will vary based on the existing state of assembly ofeach engine kit, the level of fidelity desired for the final display item, and othervariables. Additional preparation tasks such as fabrication of display stands or mockengine components would also increase costs to recipients. Special Considerations:It should be noted that the organizations that ultimately receive a Space Shuttle Orbiteror SSME hardware must abide by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)restrictions placed on the items. The Orbiters and SSMEs fall under the purview of theU.S. Munitions List (USML), as defined in the ITAR (22 CFR120-130) and are exportcontrolled. The Space Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs shall not be transferred to foreignpersons (ITAR 120.16), in the U.S. or abroad, or exported out of the U.S., withoutnotification to NASA and the specific approval/export license from the Department ofState Directorate for Defense Trade Controls (http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ ).Violations of these regulations are punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. As noted above, NASA plans to initially retain flight-worthy SSMEs for technicalmitigation and potential programmatic reuse. The Space Shuttle Orbiters that would beavailable for donation after the end of the program would be offered without flightSSMEs.Air ferry of Orbiters by Shuttle Carrier Aircraft would require U. S. destinationairports to have 8,000 to 10,000 feet runways depending on the altitude and atmospherictemperature of the landing site, and the final weight of the Orbiters being delivered.The Space Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs may not be displayed outdoors. Responders should beaware that the Orbiters and SSMEs will require suitable climate-controlled indoor displayspace. Responders should take into consideration that the Orbiters and SSMEs may containhazardous materials and require proper handling. Although NASA will take necessaryprecautions to decontaminate the hardware and remove or render safe known safety andenvironmental hazards, it may not be possible to completely remove all residual hazardsfrom the hardware. NASA will clearly identify any unusual hazards that are not removed,prior to transferring the hardware to final recipient organizations.There is a limited quantity of support items and tools that may be necessary totransport, assemble, and display the Space Shuttle Orbiters and/or SSMEs. NASA intendsto loan available support items to the organizations receiving the hardware, however thisrequirement may be waived at NASA's discretion based on government needs and requirementsat the time the hardware is transferred. Loan of support items and tools would benegotiated with the recipient organizations. Responding to this RFI:Organizations responding to this RFI must be: 1) a U.S. museum, institution, ororganization dedicated to education or educational outreach, including NASA VisitorCenters; 2) a U.S. Federal agency, State, Commonwealth, or U.S. possession or anymunicipal corporation or political subdivision thereof; or 3) the District of Columbia. RFI responses must include: Name of the primary point of contact for the responseAcademic faculty or business titleInstitution or organization affiliationEmail addressPhoneIdentification of other key individuals who collaborated on the RFI responseA brief summary (300 word limit) description of previous relevant experience indisplaying assets of National significance. RFI Questions:NASA is requesting responses to the following questions: 1.Would your organization be interested in acquiring an Orbiter and/or SSME? Forwhat purpose and at what location?2.Please explain your organizations approach to raising funding necessary forOrbiter safing and final display preparation, SSME assembly and final displaypreparation, and transportation services. a.What would be the proposed source(s) of funding? b.What is the estimated amount of time needed to raise sufficient funds to displayan Orbiter and/or SSME?3.The Space Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs may not be displayed outdoors, and willrequire suitable climate-controlled indoor display space. Please provide yourorganizations capabilities to appropriately house, protect, display, and curate a SpaceShuttle Orbiter and/or SSME.4.Given these financial and curatorial requirements stated in this RFI, what is theearliest date your organization could accept the transfer of an Orbiter and/or SSME?5.What is the benefit to the Nation of displaying a Space Shuttle Orbiter and/orSSME at your facility?In your response, please identify:a.How you would use these assets to inspire the American public and students inparticular; b.Other specific educational or education outreach opportunities; andc.How you would you assess, evaluate, and measure these objectives. 6.Provide the techniques and interpretive strategies that you would use to enhancethe display of these artifacts and increase the publics ability to understand theNations space exploration agenda.7.What additional assets, tools, or expertise would your organization request fromNASA in order to display these assets to the American public?Topics which organizations should also include the following in an Appendix in as muchdetail as reasonably possible:Mission StatementOrganizational ChartNature of Governing AuthorityAccreditation or other relevant credentialCollection Ownership and Management PolicyAttendance Figures for each of the past 5 yearsPopulation of geographic area in which organization is locatedLocal infrastructure for transporting a Space Shuttle Orbiter, once offloadedfrom the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, to the final display location Budget and Resources profile including endowments over the past 5 yearsNumber of Web Page Hits for each of the past 5 yearsPlease note that RFI responses including the Appendix must not exceed 25 pages in length.Use single-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font. The following file naming convention should be used: SSP_RFI_firstinitial_lastname.docFor example: Angela Rodriguez would name her file SSP_RFI_A_Rodriguez.doc Authorized file formats include: Adobe Acrobat versions 6 - 8 (.pdf) Microsoft Wordversions 2000 2003 (.doc) and Microsoft Excel versions 2000 2003 (.xls) Although all comments received will be carefully reviewed and considered for inclusion inany possible later action, the initiators of this request make no commitment to includeany particular recommendations. Respondents will not be notified of the results of thereview.No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If asolicitation is released it will be synopsized in the FedBizOpps and on the NASAAcquisition Internet Service. It is the responsibility of potential offerors/bidders tomonitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.Response Submission Deadline: Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, onMarch 17, 2009. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. Allresponses must be sent to HQ-SSP_RFI@mail.nasa.gov, with SSP RFI Response in thesubject line. An email confirmation of receipt from NASA will be sent within a one-week period to thedesignated point of contact. Point of Contact for Inquiries and Submissions:Inquires regarding this proposal may be directed to NASA Headquarters, Office ofInfrastructure, Mail Stop 4G74, 300 E Street SW, Washington D.C., 20546, fax202-358-2826, telephone (toll free) 1-877-283-1977, or electronic mail atHQ-SSP_RFI@mail.nasa.gov with SSP RFI Inquiry in the subject line. Inquiries must be received within 30 calendar days from the date the RFI is issued. Responses to all inquiries received by this deadline will be posted electronically andmade publicly available at www.nasa.gov/transition/ within 45 calendar days from the datethe RFI is issued. DISCLAIMER NASA will not publicly disclose proprietary information obtained as a result of this RFI.To the full extent that it is protected by law and regulations, information identified bya respondent as Proprietary or Confidential will be kept confidential. This RFI may also be found electronically at www.nasa.gov/transition/.
 
Web Link
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=279477a5c47df71bd3e06f8f078b9f83&tab=core&_cview=1)
 
Record
SN01720397-W 20081219/081217215935-0a3ced38a0cc3ca77cdf03c9fd14bfc3 (fbodaily.com)
 
Source
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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