NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BE

99 -- TRANSHAB MULTI-LAYER INSULATION BLANKETS SOL 9-BE13-26-8-MLI DUE 073198 POC Keith D. Hutto, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4165, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email keith.d.hutto1@jsc.nasa.gov -- Krystine O. Bui, Contracting Officer, Phone (281) 483-4186, Fax (281) 244-5337, Email krystine.o.bui1@jsc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/JSC/date.html#9-BE13-26-8-MLI. E-MAIL: Keith D. Hutto, keith.d.hutto1@jsc.nasa.gov. NASA/Johnson Space Center is in the process of designing and building a full scale proof-of-concept test article which may be used as part of a large inflatable habitable space module called TransHab. The TransHab inflated shell is cylindrical in shape with approximate semi-toroidal end domes. The overall size of the TransHab shell is approximately 25 feet in diameter and 31 feet in length. NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC) is soliciting for information and for potential sources for the TransHab multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket assembly. This MLI assembly, which comprises the outermost layers of the inflatable shell, functions as a thin thermal insulation barrier as well as protection against the atomic oxygen (AO) environment experienced in low-Earth orbit. The current design is an exterior PTFE coated Betaglass fabric (single side aluminized) with approximately nineteen layers of double-aluminized polyimide with alternating layers of separator mesh with a polyimide inner cover. Each blanket is stitched with an AO resistant thread. The MLI blankets will be constructed using approximately 21 gores (approximately 20-25) and attached to the TransHab covering the entire external shell structure with a total area of approximately 2800-3000 square feet. Each blanket will require venting, attachment, and electrical grounding accommodations. Vendors having the capabilities to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation or literature that will include specialized capabilities to meet the above requirements. NASA is interested in the each vendors customary practices regarding customizing, modifying or tailoring of this type of items to meet customer needs. Distribution and support capabilities. Fabrication process used, any size limits, and experiences in using this type of material in space application, etc. This request is for information that industry can provide to NASA to aid in developing its requirement's and determine if the product is a commercial or non-developmental item/service. Responses must include the following: name and address of firm, size of business; number of employees; ownership; whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged 8 (a), and or woman-owned. Highlight relevant work performed, point of contact -(address and phone number). Technical questions should be directed to: Steven L. Rickman at 281-483-8867. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these cites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in Internet "Note A". This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All responses shall be submitted to Steven L. Rickman, NASA/JSC, Mail Code: ES3, 2101 NASA Road One, Houston, TX 77058, no later than July 31, 1998. In responding reference TransHab Multi-Layer Insulation Blankets. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. Posted 07/08/98. (0189)

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