Research and Technologies for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (RTAPS)

NASA Glenn Research Center established the Research and Technologies for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (RTAPS) Master IDIQ on May 12, 2010, with a shared ceiling of $191.5 million, but ordering closed on August 17, 2017—nearly nine years ago. The vehicle is no longer active. RTAPS 2, awarded August 24, 2015, is the successor vehicle for ongoing propulsion research under NASA Glenn.

The original RTAPS supported NASA's long-term aerospace research across four technology areas: air-breathing engines, structures and materials, power systems, and space propulsion. Task orders funded advanced development, demonstration, and verification of technologies including turbine-based combined-cycle propulsion concepts, additive manufacturing methods for rocket engine components, hybrid-disk turbine designs, acoustic liners, electric propulsion architectures, and icing-tunnel test support. Work spanned both aeronautics and space missions.

Portfolio activity was front-loaded: 38 task orders were awarded between August 2010 and December 2015, with the heaviest flow in 2011 (13 orders) and 2014 (8 orders). All awards went unrestricted competitive. Obligated value reached $28.9 million against the $29 million combined potential, representing full consumption of the vehicle's allocated task-order ceiling. The most recent task order was awarded in December 2015.

Aerojet Rocketdyne dominated by value: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc. held three orders worth $12.5 million combined potential (43% of total), reflecting major awards in additive manufacturing for RL10 rocket engines and space propulsion. General Electric, Boeing, Honeywell International, and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies held the next tier. The top five primes captured 87% of potential value. All funding came from NASA Glenn Research Center.

Task orders ranged widely in scope and value: small studies at under $30,000 competed alongside development efforts exceeding $2 million. Representative awards included RL10 additive manufacturing at $12.2 million, swept-wing icing-tunnel test support at $1.78 million, and advanced compressor technology at $2.1 million. Pricing types included firm fixed price, cost-plus fixed fee, and cost-sharing arrangements.

The RTAPS IDIQ supports key NASA challenges in the areas of communications, structures and materials, power, propulsion systems for aeronautics vehicles; and propulsion and communication systems for space missions and vehicles. The objective of this proposed effort is to develop, demonstrate, and verify advanced technologies as part of NASAs on-going, long-term aerospace research programs in these areas.