SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES SPONSORS
- Notice Date
- 6/11/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNH10UA003L
- Archive Date
- 6/11/2011
- Point of Contact
- Andrew J Petro, Program Executive for Innovation Incubator, Phone 202-358-0310, Fax 202-358-3858, Email andrew.j.petro@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Andrew J Petro
(andrew.j.petro@nasa.gov)
- 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 or other action in this matter. Further, neither NASA nor the Governmentwill be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing the information requested in thisRFI.Through this RFI, NASA seeks to identify potential Sponsoring Organizations who may beinterested in partnering with Allied Organizations to support prize competitions to beconducted under Centennial Challenges program within the Innovative Partnership ProgramsOffice (http://www.nasa.gov/challenges ) of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES BACKGROUNDCentennial Challenges is a program of incentive prizes to generate novel solutions toproblems of interest to NASA and the nation. The mission of the program is to [1] driveprogress in aerospace technology of value to NASAs missions, [2] encourage theparticipation of independent teams, individual inventors, student groups and privatecompanies of all sizes in aerospace research and development; and [3] find the mostinnovative solutions to technical challenges through competition and cooperation.Since 2005, nineteen Centennial Challenges competitions have been held in six technicalareas.A total of $4.5 million has been awarded in prizes to thirteen different teams. Competitions may be conducted in a first-to-demonstrate format or in a head-to-headcontest format. The competition events, especially in the head-to-head contest format,typically involve public spectators, televised or webcasted coverage and arehigh-visibility opportunities for public outreach and education. Additional informationcan be found at www.nasa.gov/challenges.ROLE OF ALLIED ORGANIZATIONSAllied Organizations are those NASA partners that conduct the Centennial Challengescompetitions. NASA provides the prize purse for the competitions, but no funding for theconduct of the competition itself. Allied Organizations may provide additional fundingfrom other sources subject to NASAs approval.Allied Organizations are selected througha competitive process and agreements are negotiated directly between the AlliedOrganization and NASA.Allied Organizations cannot compete in the Challenges for whichthey have responsibility. Because no NASA funds are provided to fund the conduct of the Challenges, AlliedOrganizations must administer the Challenges with their own funding or they must raisethe funding needed to administer the Challenges through partnerships with SponsoringOrganizations or through other means.Allied Organizations are also permitted tosupplement the prize purse with funding from outside organizations, such as a SponsoringOrganization.ROLE OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONSBecause the success of Challenges hinges on the ability of NASAs Allied Organizations tosuccessfully administer and conduct the prize competitions, NASA wishes, through thisRFI, to identify interested Sponsoring Organizations that seek the opportunity to partnerwith an Allied Organization to support one or more Challenges.NASA expects thatindividual Challenges will demonstrate technologies or operational capabilities, andproduce high profile competition events that may enhance the visibility and reputation ofthe Sponsoring Organization. Sponsoring Organizations may contribute cash towards the prize purse or administrativeexpenses associated with the Challenges, and/or may provide in-kind support for one ormore Challenges. Sponsoring Organizations are expected enter into agreements directlywith the Allied Organization administering the sponsored Challenge. NASA does notanticipate entering into agreements directly with any Sponsoring Organization.In return for its contribution, the Sponsoring Organization would be associated with aspecific Challenge and may be entitled to negotiate naming rights or other public-facingacknowledgement. Depending on the agreement a Sponsoring Organization may negotiate withan Allied Organization, a Sponsoring Organization may provide input to the structure andrules of the Challenges to which it contributes. A Sponsoring Organization cannot competein the Challenge to which it contributes. Sponsoring Organizations may include but are not limited to: for-profit companies andcorporations, universities and other non-profit or educational organizations, andprofessional or public organizations, as well as individuals.Except as specified below, Challenges for which potential Sponsoring Organizations aresought are still in the formulation stage, and no final decision has been made on whetheror not to initiate the Challenges described below. Decisions to issue specific Challengesand their rules will be determined at later dates. SUBMISSION DETAILSResponses to this RFI should be no more than two (2) pages in length and: Provide all the pertinent identifying and contact information about the potentialSponsoring Organization, and the principal individuals of the Organization; Identify the Challenge(s) in which your organization may wish to partner with aNASA Allied Organization (see lists below). Organizations may indicate an interest insponsoring challenges in any or all topic areas. The following individual contact information should be included on any submission inresponse to this RFI: - Organization and Individual Point-of-Contact Name - Complete Mailing Address -Telephone Number(s) - Email Address Responses to this RFI should be sent to the Centennial Challenges Program at NASAHeadquarters by electronic message to: hq-prize-idea@mail.nasa.gov with the subject lineSponsorship RFI.DURATIONTo provide future opportunities to expand the number of Sponsoring Organizations, thisRFI will remain open continuously. However, formulation of new challenges is currentlyunderway and immediate responses are encouraged. USE OF INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER THIS RFIInformation provided by interested, potential Sponsoring Organizations under this RFIwill be shared with current NASA Allied Organizations and other non-profit organizationsthat have expressed their interest or intent to partner with NASA as an AlliedOrganization for the Centennial Challenges program. The information may also be sharedwithin NASA and with contractor personnel associated with the Centennial ChallengesProgram. Information provided by potential Sponsoring Organizations under this RFI willnot be published or posted on any public website without prior authorization by thesubmitting entity. Information provided under this RFI will be updated at least annuallyand organizations may add or remove their indication of interest at any time bycontacting the Point of Contact, below. Organizations responding to this RFI may be contacted by the current or potential AlliedOrganizations to solicit commitment for sponsorship. Potential Sponsoring Organizationshave no obligation to respond but may choose to enter into a sponsorship arrangement withone or more current or potential Allied Organizations. The ability of a potential AlliedOrganization to reach agreement with a Sponsoring Organization may improve its proposalto NASA to administer a Challenge but is no guarantee of selection as a NASA partner. Potential Sponsoring Organizations are responsible for conducting appropriate diligenceprior to entering into any arrangement with an Allied Organization. Selection of anAllied Organization to administer a competition by NASA does not constitute anendorsement by NASA.There are three on-going Centennial Challenges:Power Beaming Challenge for wireless power transmission, managed for NASA by theSpaceward Foundation of Mountain View, CA. Strong Tether Challenge for advanced materials, also managed for NASA by theSpaceward Foundation of Mountain View, CA. Green Flight Challenge for super-efficient, quiet and safe aircraft, managed forNASA by the Comparative Flight Efficiency Foundation of Santa Rosa, CA.New challenges will be announced in 2010 and additional new challenges are expected inthe years to follow. The topics may include, but are not limited to, the followingtechnical areas:Energy Generation and StorageAccess to Space, Rocketry and Space TransportationRobotics and AutomationAeronautics Earth and Space ScienceSpace ExplorationLife SciencesLife Support, Habitation and Space SuitsCryogenic Fluid Handling and StorageSpace Resources and ConstructionInstruments and SensorsCommunications For more information see: www.nasa.gov/challenges or contact Andrew Petro, NASAHeadquarters, Phone (202) 358-0310, Email: andrew.j.petro@nasa.gov.
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