Questions_and_Answers_Set__2_5-9-18.pdf

Questions and Answers for NASA Research Announcement

Study for the Commercialization of LEO

Solicitation # 80JSC018LEOCOM

May 9, 2018

(Questions 1-19 have been posted previously in Questions and Answers Set #1)

20. Is there a NASA concept for commercialization to be used as a starting point?

A: A purpose of this study is to obtain an understanding external concepts for the commercialization of LEO. References on NASA’s vision and direction include the 2018 NASA

Strategic Plan, the National Space Strategy, the 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act and the ISS

Transition Report.

21. Is the scope of this effort a total of $1 million, or $1 million per award?

A: Not to exceed $1 million per award.

22. Is the study more academic in nature, rather than intending to produce hardware?

A: NASA does not intend to acquire hardware as part of this study.

23. The chart on intellectual property rights mentions computer software. Do you expect us to deliver computer software?

A: Computer software is not a required study deliverable.

24. Is the line item for commercial low Earth orbit development in the President’s Budget Request new?

A: Yes, it is a new line item for fiscal year 2019. It has not yet been authorized or appropriated, as this requires action from Congress.

25. What is the relationship between this NRA and the LEO Commercial Development budget line in the President’s Budget Request?

A: The NRA is independent of the LEO Commercial Development budget line item in the President’s

Budget Request and is not funded from this line item. The study results may inform NASA on best approaches to utilize the LEO commercial development line.

26. The presentation mentions public release of the quad chart and executive summary. Will other data be released?

A: Only the quad chart and executive summary must be publicly releasable. Other data may be designated as limited rights (proprietary) data where appropriate.

27. Is Certified Cost and Pricing Data required to propose on this study?

A: No.

28. Is the number of objectives to be studied proportional to the expected price?

A: No. Your price should be reflective of the effort required to perform the proposed study.

29. Do I need to propose cost element data to support my fixed price milestones like it states in NFS

1852.235-72(c)(8)(i) Instructions for Responding to NASA Research Announcements or can I provide price comparisons and narrative to justify my milestone prices?

A: NFS 1852.235-72(c)(8)(i) states that proposals should include separate cost estimates for items such as wages, fringe benefits, etc. on an “as applicable” basis.” The Government does not consider cost element data, as described in 1852.235-72(c)(8)(i), to be applicable to this activity.

However, NFS 1852.235-72(i)(v) states that “Evaluation of the cost of a proposed effort may include the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost and available funds.” Therefore, the

Government will require justifications to substantiate the reasonableness of the fixed price milestones on this NRA. These justifications may include cost element buildup, other priced equivalent activities, labor summary, subcontracts, travel, or any other means of justifying the reasonableness of the price(s) including a narrative explanation for milestone prices and total price.

30. Your slides mentioned a blackout during the proposal period. What about during study execution? Will we be able to interact with NASA?

A: Awardees will be assigned a NASA Point of Contact for technical coordination. Note that NASA is seeking external ideas and inputs. Therefore, the Government does not anticipate extensive

NASA involvement during performance of the study.

31. What assumptions are you making on the role of NASA’s International Partners going forward?

A: The ISS Transition Report, and the documentation it references, lays out NASA’s expectations for

International Partner interaction. Note that some of the study objectives touch on international participation.

32. Is the OCI plan a part of the 25 page proposal limit?

A: No. The NRA will specify to place the OCI plan in a non-page-limited section.

33. Is there a page count limitation imposed on the Notice of Intent (NOI)?

A: The NOI is submitted via NSPIRES, which limits the summary to 4000 characters, including spaces.

34. Is it acceptable if our concept changes between submission of the Notice of Intent and proposal?

A: Yes. Your proposal will be considered your final input.

35. You ask for an abstract and executive summary. Are they the same?

A: The abstract is part of the proposal. The executive summary is a study product.

36. In relation to Node 2 Forward, what does “long term” demonstration mean?

A: In this context, “long term” means months to years. It is a significant effort to relocate the

Pressurized Mating Adapter/International Docking Adapter; shorter periods would not warrant this reconfiguration.

37. Does NASA have a notion of how they’d prioritize multiple commercial modules at Node 2

Forward, or is the port going to be exclusive?

A: At this time, NASA is only conducting a study. You may identify necessary assumptions for your concept.

38. When will a solicitation to award the Node 2 Forward port be issued?

A: The study results (due approximately 12/2018) will help NASA determine its future strategies, which may or may not include a solicitation for use of the Node 2 Forward port.

39. You mentioned Node 2 Forward port-is that the only port available?

A: Yes, for long term attached commercial operations.

40. Is there a target for ISS Operations & Maintenance cost reductions?

A: NASA does not have a specific target to be used in this study.

41. Who is the selection authority?

A: The selection authority will be listed in the NRA, when released.

42. Can you release who will be evaluating the proposal?

A: No. The evaluation process will be detailed in the NRA, NASA Proposers Guide and NASA FAR

Supplement, section 1852.235-72.

43. What is the relationship of this study to the ISS Program?

A: This effort is being conducted under the International Space Station Program for the Human

Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

44. When will the NRA be released?

A: The NRA will be released no earlier than May 9, 2018.

45. How can I interact with the Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS)?

A: CASIS is available to take questions from all potential offerors during the proposal development period. Note that all questions and responses will be posted with other NRA Questions and Answers on NSPIRES and FedBizOpps so that the information is open to all interested parties. Please provide questions for CASIS in writing to Warren Bates at NRA@iss-casis.org.

46. Can you provide the information NASA received in response to the 2016 Request for

Information?

A: No, the information contains proprietary data.

47. What do you mean by proof of eligibility?

mailto:NRA@iss-casis.org

A: Responsibility requirements are found in NASA FAR Supplement 1809 and FAR 9.

48. Will lack of past performance data affect our ability to be awarded a contract?

A: Lack of a past performance record will be considered neutral in evaluation.