NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

A -- RESEARCH IN SUBSYSTEM DESIGN PROCESS FOR LAUNCH VEHICLES STUDY SOL 8-1-9-ED-C2171 DUE 031199 POC Glynda H. Meeks, Contract Specialist, Phone (256) 544-0422, Fax (256) 544-4400, Email glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (256)544-0314, Fax (256)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-9-ED-C2171. E-MAIL: Glynda H. Meeks, glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a research study entitled RESEARCH IN SUBSYSTEM DESIGN PROCESS FOR LAUNCH VEHICLES. This study is being procured under the University Research Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) Program with the university community within the United States. The intent of this work is to expand the understanding of the space transportation system design process by developing a launch vehicle subsystem design example, and outlining a basis for its use in educating less experienced engineers about the process. Achieving improvements in space transportation system performance cost, reliability, and operability requries understanding and enhancing the design process for launch vehicles. Advancements can come about from either incremental improvements in effectiveness and efficiency of the current design process, or from major innovations in design process technology. Either route requires a clear understanding of the existing process as a basis for undertaking advancements. This research will provide information directed toward describing and delineating the interactive design process for launch vehicles. The design of launch vehciles is a highly complex process, involving multiple disciplines and organizational entities. Previous work has characterized the process at a level of detail, and provided a model framework for technical integration of the various disciplines and subsystems. To extend the basis for understanding the process, this effort will provide an illustrative example of a launch vehicle subsystem design, and will outline the basis for its use in a training module on the launch vehicle design process. Research will be at the contractor's facility with a period of performance of 3 months. TASKS: The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1. Develop an illustration of a launch vehicle subsystem design activity using a reusable cryogenic tank for the example. The process of designing the tank as a subsystem within a launch vehicle design shall be described, beginning with requirements and concepts, and extending through the multiple iterations among the pertinent disciplines to arrive at a final design. 2. Outline the basis for using the above example in a training module for the launch vehicle design process, directed toward engineers whose experience with the process has been minimal. The intent of this task is to identify participative activities and exercises to actively engage the students in understanding the design process. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from University of Alabama in Huntsville under the Research BOA Program. This sole source action is pursuant to FAR 13.106 and is based on the University's domain expertise in this area of research. Interested universities within the United States have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Posted 02/24/99 (D-SN301860). (0055)

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