CLPS_On-Ramp_80JSC019R0013_Questions_and_Answers__1-7.pdf

Commercial Lunar Payload Services On-Ramp 80JSC019R0013 Questions and Answers #1-7

1. Question: Will NASA release a draft SOW and contract prior to release of the final solicitation?

Answer: No, a draft SOW and contract will not be released prior to the release of the final solicitation. The synopsis 80JSC019R0013 included attachments for reference that included the Original CLPS solicitation, Attachment A CLPS SOW, and Attachment D IT Security Applicable Documents.

2. Question: According to Section IV.9 of the CLPS RFP (if based upon the template provided from 9/6/2018), it states that one of the Technical Acceptability Standards is “The offeror’s ability to provide an intact lunar landed mission that delivers at least 10 kg of NASA payload before December 31, 2021.” We recommend that this First Technical Acceptability Standard be revised to the following: “The offeror’s ability to provide an intact lunar landed mission that delivers at least 10 kg of NASA payload before December 31, 2024.” a. The rationale for this change is that commercial entities seek to develop very capable lander systems that may be ready after 2021 and it may be preferable that such organizations be included now in the CLPS catalog versus later after a future on-ramp process. NASA has stated that the CLPS Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is designed to last a decade but be immediately useful to NASA to understand payload accommodations, pricing, and schedule of providers. Extending the landing ability date to 2024 is more in keeping with the IDIQ’s procurement strategy and allows NASA to prepare for the mid to large payloads that will need not only more time for development but more discussions on interfaces with providers. In previous discussions NASA has indicated that they would consider extending the date of First Technical Acceptability Standard.

Answer: The NASA anticipates updating the payload delivery date of December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2023 in the final RFP.

3. Question: We encourage that the risk approach for mission one will be at or below a traditional

NASA Class D risk classification, similar to a NASA Research and Technology (R&T) project informed by the contractor’s own internal systems engineering approaches.

Answer: NASA will evaluate the use of at or below the Class D risk classification for future missions as appropriate for an acceptable risk posture.

4. Question: Launch vehicles offered for these missions can be commercial launch vehicle procurements, and do not have to be obtained through NASA Launch Services Program (LSP).

Answer: No; the launch vehicle is not required to be obtained with NASA’s LSP. Reference synopsis document item 2, CLPS RFP clause I.21, DOMESTIC SOURCE CRITERIA AND COMPLIANCE, in compliance with the United States National Space Transportation Policy, all US Government payloads launched pursuant to a task order under this contract must be launched on vehicles manufactured in the United States, unless the US Government payload qualifies as a hosted payload (as defined by NASA Policy Directive (“NPD”) 8610.12H) and NASA elects to avail itself of this exemption in accordance with that policy.

5. Question: We request that the Government remove the requirement to submit hardcopies of the proposal volumes as well as the requirement to mail a CD-ROM containing the electronic files of the proposal volumes. Electronic submittal through NSPIRES or through a dedicated proposal email address should be sufficient. The requirement for physical proposal submittal is unnecessarily burdensome.

Commercial Lunar Payload Services On-Ramp 80JSC019R0013 Questions and Answers #1-7

Answer: Yes, electronic files of the proposal volumes will be accepted. The RFP will be updated to reflect this change.

6. Question: We request that the Government remove 52.219-9 from the CLPS RFP (if based upon the template provided from 9/6/2018) and instead rely on 52.219-8 to meet NASA objectives for small business subcontracting.

Answer: Per the Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.219-9 prerequisite this clause is applicable and will remain in the final solicitation.

7. Question: The last sentence of Clause I.4 - INDEFINITE QUANTITY (FAR 52.216-22) (OCT 1995) Paragraph (d) from CLPS RFP (if based upon the template provided from 9/6/2018) specifies that “…the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after no more than one (1) year from the end of the contract’s effective ordering period…” We recommend that the 1 year timeframe be extended to 3 years. If a task order is issued in the final months of the ordering period it is unlikely that this 1 year limitation will allow a sufficient period of performance to complete a lunar payload delivery. Considering the timeframe for payload delivery, integration with the launch vehicle and lunar lander system (if applicable), and launch vehicle availability, the contractor feels that the Government should consider extending this 1 year limitation to 3 years in order to provide the Government maximum flexibility for issuing task orders throughout the length of the ordering period.

Answer: At this time, NASA will not extend the deliveries of more than one (1) year from the end of the contract’s effective ordering period. However, NASA will consider this feedback for future planning.