80GRC026R0002 - Question and Answers_FINAL.pdf

80GRC026R0002 - Open Fan Development Plan

FINAL NRA QUESTIONS

1. Can you comment on the next step and timing anticipated for the CMC Manufacturing study topic?

As of now, we are not anticipating an announcement regarding this study topic.

2. Are the partial risk reduction items expected to be completed within the 12-month timeframe? Alternatively, could the offeror propose funding to kick start earlier design work for major identified risk areas or additional air-frame level system integration work that may be incomplete but make significant progress over the 12 months?

Section 4 states, “The period of performance is six (6) months for the Open Fan Flight Demonstration Plan Development and up to twelve (12) months for risk mitigation task to run in parallel.” Per 4.2.2, risk mitigation tasks are to “effectively accelerate proposed flight demonstration”.

3. Does the $5M NASA funding include all costs associated with any potential Risk

Reduction activities? Is there potential for additional funding to continue to address risk reduction work?

Section 8.3 states, “Currently, the total Government estimate for the NRA is anticipated to be $5.0M”. “The actual number and value of the awards will depend on the quality and cost of the proposals received and the availability of Government funds.” $5.0M is the estimated grand total amount awarded across all awards and all CLINS under this NRA.

We are not anticipating additional funding.

4. For Offerors determined to be eligible and invited to provide Oral Presentations, are these still projected in "late August" as indicated in the cover letter? How much advance notice to the Offeror is planned?

Yes, the Oral Presentations are projected to take place in late August. Our intent is to give Offerors 3-5 business days’ notice.

However, please note, the Oral Presentation is for technical proposal summarization and clarification purposes only. It is not a presentation of the offeror’s submitted proposal. The objective is to provide an opportunity for the offeror to provide a concise oral summarization of their technical proposal and for NASA to ask clarifying technical questions.

5. The NRA states the Oral Presentation will be recorded for documentation purposes.

How does NASA intend to protect any proprietary information shared?

NASA will protect any proprietary information in accordance with the Agency’s safeguarding policies.

6. Is the Oral Presentation intended to be between the prime offeror and NASA only? If there is a significant subcontractor/partner to the proposal, would they be expected or allowed to attend the presentation?

If there is a significant subcontractor/partner, they would be allowed to attend the presentation.

7. Due to the inherent difficulty precisely managing multiple SLINs, each to specific FFP values, would NASA consider funding allocations at the CLIN level (at the FFP value of the awarded SLINs), which allows flexibility in execution of costs, if all SLINs are completed at the CLIN FFP?

Yes, funding is going to be allocated at the CLIN level.

8. Is the proposed CLIN 2 risk reduction scope limited to the remainder of $5M funds available after CLIN1? If so, should the offeror provide multiple options for NASA consideration and down select, or tailor scope to the available funding?

Section 8.3 states, “Currently, the total Government estimate for the NRA is anticipated to be $5.0M”. “The actual number and value of the awards will depend on the quality and cost of the proposals received and the availability of Government funds.” $5.0M is the estimated grand total amount awarded across all awards and all CLINS under this NRA.

NASA cannot direct Offerors on how to propose to this NRA, please refer to section 8.2 of the NRA for Number of Proposals.

9. Can non-US teams under a parent US organization support the contract on a limited basis if fully funded by the contractor outside the contract.

Section 8.1 states, “Participation by non-U.S. organizations is not permitted."

Section 8.2 states, “Teaming Arrangements with non-U.S. organizations is not permitted. NASA funding through this NRA may not be used to support research and development efforts by non-U.S. organizations at any level.”

10. Our interpretation is that the cost reporting requirements only apply to CLIN 2, since

CLIN 1 will be FFP with limited (six months) duration. Is that acceptable?

That is correct. Cost reporting is only required for CLIN 02.

11. Given the projected November 2026 award, followed closely by two major holidays, is there any flexibility to formally launch the program in January 2027? Alternatively, might there be flexibility to extend the period of performance duration to protect a full six-month task execution under CLIN1?

Section 4 states, “The period of performance is six (6) months for the Open Fan Flight Demonstration Plan Development and up to twelve (12) months for risk mitigation task to run in parallel.” The period of performance will not be extended. If an Offeror takes exception to the Period of Performance start date, that should be stated in the proposal.

12. When does NASA envision being able to support a future Open Fan Flight demonstration program?

NASA has not yet established a timeline for potential support of a future Open Fan Flight Demonstration program.