Advanced Spacesuit Regulator - Capability Statement.pdf

Advanced Spacesuit Regulator

Sources Sought No�ce

1. Project Introduc�on

The Na�onal Aeronau�cs and Space Administra�on (NASA)/The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is hereby solici�ng informa�on from poten�al sources for the development of non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulators. These oxygen regulators are used to enable Extra Vehicular Ac�vi�es (EVAs) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and lunar des�na�ons. The regulators provide the necessary oxygen pressure control for the crew member during prebreathe, EVA, post EVA airlock opera�ons, and Decompression Sickness (DCS) treatment. The regulators are intended to be a modular, drop-in solu�on that can be implemented within the exis�ng government reference design spacesuit, the Explora�on Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU).

NASA is seeking capability statements, Rough Order of Magnitudes (ROM) and no�onal schedules that incorporate innova�ve ideas, novel approaches, relevant state-of-the-art commercial technologies, and industry proposed solu�ons.

Through this Sources Sought No�ce, NASA invites feedback from all U.S. commercial companies, which could lead to the poten�al development of a new oxygen regulator for spacesuit applica�ons. NASA’s objec�ve is to engage industry stakeholders in providing valuable insights to assist in the development of non-commercial spacesuit regulators. This collabora�ve effort aims to ensure that the final product meets the highest standards of func�onality and safety.

FAR 52.225-1, Buy American Act, is applicable. Supplies will be applicable to this procurement. If the end product(s) offered is other than domes�c end product(s) as defined in the clause en�tled "Buy American Supplies," the offeror shall so state and shall list the country of origin.

Addi�onal historical and development informa�on for previous advanced spacesuit regulator designs can be found here: https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/items/17f5a435-6a29-4f45-9b8f-1ef6df46f1b2

No solicitation exists; therefore, respondents should not request a copy of a solicitation. If a solicitation is released in the future, it will be synopsized in SAM.gov and on appropriate NASA online locations. It is the respondent’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

1.1. General Informa�on

This Sources Sought No�ce is used solely for market research and planning purposes and does not cons�tute a solicita�on. In accordance with Federal Acquisi�on Regula�on (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this Sources Sought No�ce are not offers and cannot be accepted by NASA to form a binding contract.

Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought No�ce. NASA intends to evaluate all data received and responders may be contacted for further discussion on an as-needed basis.

Respondents are encouraged to provide informa�on that is not constrained by limited/restricted data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in a reply, respondents should clearly and properly mark any propriety or restricted data contained within its submission so it can be iden�fied and protected.

Please note, NASA as well as support contractors and/or their sub-contractors working on behalf of the Government may be reviewing the informa�on. By submi�ng a response, a company will be deemed to

1.2.2 Secondary Requirements

The following are requirements that would allow integra�on of the regulators with minimal perturba�on to other systems, but can tolerate some devia�on with coordina�on with NASA:

Requirement Descrip�on Assembly Mass, Maximum 5.5 lbm Transducer Supply Voltage 5.0 ± .01 VDC Transducer Output Voltage 0.5 to 3.0 VDC Transducer Total Accuracy 0.1% FSO (15.5°C to 26.7°C)

0.25% FSO (-17.7°C TO 60°C)

Transducer Current < 5 mA Posi�on Sensing The regulator assembly shall include a position sensing capability able to report second stage spring compression/ location to an accuracy of +/- 1% of stroke.

Posi�on Sensor Current 1 mA Volume Approx. 4.99 in x 7.52 in x 5.82 in

- Reference SLN13102110 Rev 2

- Volume alloca�on may be tailored with ini�al design

Requirement Descrip�on Opera�ng Vibra�on 2.00 grms Workmanship Vibra�on 6.8 grms Design Load Factors ±9.3g in all axes G Field The regulator assembly must meet all requirements in any orienta�on in 0 – 1G First Stage Failure The regulator assembly shall include a lower stage capable of mee�ng regula�on and flow opera�ng requirements in the event that the first stage fails open

Second Stage Reverse Flow The regulator assembly second stage shall preclude reverse flow greater than 0.1 lbm/hr with 8.4 psid on the outlet and vacuum at the interstage

Mechanical Interfaces Specified in SLN13102110 Rev 2 Note: Primary and Secondary mechanical interfaces vary slightly

Unpowered Regula�on The regulator assembly shall be able to regulate and hold pressure without power for at least 60 minutes

Actuator Con�nuous Power Consump�on 5.8 W max Actuator Power Supply 22 - 34 VDC

1.3. Request for Informa�on

Interested par�es having the required capabili�es necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements above are requested to respond to this Sources Sought No�ce by answering the ques�ons below. The response should be clear, readable, and indicate the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. This Sources Sought No�ce shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government reimburse any costs incurred in the submission of responses. The Government is under no obliga�on to respond to any ques�ons or concerns submited. The informa�on received will be u�lized to finalize the Request for Proposal (RFP) as necessary.

This requirement is a non-commercial product.

Responses should include:

• Company informa�on: (instruc�ons in Item 2 below)

• Rough Order of Magnitude – (for internal government/support contractor use only)

• Details of your current or planned capabili�es that would support this development ac�vity, including how NASA-provided resources (other than funds) can assist in the development of your capabili�es.

o While NASA’s priority is a complete integrated solu�on, NASA can provide details and specifica�ons for relevant sensing capabili�es.

• No�onal schedule to meet the desired �meline (see #1. Feasibility of Respondent’s Solu�on).

Responses should answer the following ques�ons:

1. Feasibility of Respondent’s Solution:

• NASA is seeking at least two qual units by December 2026, and up to four flight units by

FY28. Provide a narrative explaining the feasibility of the respondent’s solution to meet this notional schedule.

o Can your solution deliver at least two qualification units by December 2026, and up to four flight units by FY28?

o Are you AS9100/ISO9001 cer�fied?

2. Similar Products and Experience

• Describe your organization’s capability and experience with pressure regulating equipment and highlight any similar products you offer?

• Provide a narrative describing the relative maturity of your proposed solution. Is it an existing product, a modification to an existing product line, or is this a new capability?

• Describe your plans for teaming arrangements with other organizations to fulfill the requirements.

In addition to the above questions, NASA/JSC is requesting information from industry regarding potential organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) arising from the development of the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator.

The nature of the work anticipated under the development of a non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator may create the potential for OCI(s) as currently described in FAR Subpart 9.5. Each interested party should review FAR Subpart 9.5 in light of NASA’s anticipation of OCI issues and consider carefully the extent to which an OCI may arise before making the decision to compete for the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator.

3. What type(s) of OCI issues would your company or potential team identify, if any, should you choose to propose on the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator contract?

4. What strategies would you anticipate proposing to mitigate the OCI issues that you identified (if any)? Please provide strategy details, previous examples/experience with other contracts with NASA or other agencies, etc.

5. Are there any other types of potential OCI issues with the proposed non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator contract that were not identified in this Sources Sought Notice (assuming any were identified)?

6. Does your company foresee any OCI issues associated with the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator that would cause you to decide not to propose on a potential RFP?

NASA will review any responses received regarding potential OCI and each offeror’s proposed OCI mitigation strategy. NASA will respond to each company who submits a mitigation strategy. NASA’s response is not intended to serve as a confirmation that, in fact, all potential OCI have been identified, an OCI will ultimately exist, or that an interested party is capable of successfully eliminating or mitigating an identified OCI. NASA’s response is also not intended to encourage or discourage any interested party from responding to an RFP issued for the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator in the future.

Furthermore, NASA’s response in no way alters or interprets FAR 9.5 as it applies to a final statement of work or a final proposal submission, should an interest party elect to submit a proposal to an RFP for the non-commercial Advanced Spacesuit Regulator. After the initial OCI submission and NASA’s response, NASA will not consider further information as it relates to this Sources Sought Notice.

2. Instruc�ons for Submital

Respondents are instructed to provide the information as requested in Table 2.1 below. To facilitate a prompt review, please provide a one-page summary with your response. The one-page summary shall include:

• Company's name, address, primary POC, and telephone number;

• Company’s SAM Unique En�ty Iden�fier (UEI);

• Whether your company is interested in performing at a prime or subcontractor level;

• A descrip�on of the Company's specific capabili�es that are relevant to the Sources Sought

No�ce requirements;

• Loca�on of Company’s manufacturing capabili�es.

Table 2.1

Volume I. One-page summary -per instruc�ons in this Sources Sought No�ce Sec�on 2.0

Contained within the Electronic copy

Volume II. Sources Sought No�ce Responses – iden�fied by Sources Sought No�ce topic being responded to as listed in Sec�on 1.3

Contained within the Electronic copy

Request for Informa�on Responses:

There's no page limit, but please keep your responses concise and focused only on the requested informa�on for this Sources Sought No�ce. All Sources Sought No�ce responses should be submited electronically and directed to the point of contact iden�fied below. If a solicita�on is released it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the interested party’s responsibility to monitor this website for the release of any subsequent solicita�on or synopsis.

Point of Contact Name: Frank D. Cunningham II Title: Contract Specialist Email: frank.d.cunningham@nasa.gov

Please also CC the Contrac�ng Officer in your email responses:

Name: Patricia K. Parker Title: Contrac�ng Officer Email: patricia.k.parker@nasa.gov

The subject line of the e-mail shall read "Advanced Spacesuit Regulator Sources Sought No�ce."

Responders may submit proprietary informa�on, export-controlled informa�on (including Interna�onal Traffic in Arms Regula�on (ITAR) restricted informa�on), or confiden�al informa�on in response to this Sources Sought No�ce, but this is strictly voluntary. Responses that contain proprietary, Export Administra�on Regula�ons (EAR), ITAR, or other Controlled Unclassified Informa�on (CUI), are required to clearly mark that data accordingly. ITAR/EAR data is allowed to be sent through e-mail or file transfer if properly labeled as such and encrypted in accordance with Federal Informa�on Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 and as defined by appropriate Federal regula�ons. Files can be encrypted with a password sent by separate e-mail, or alternate arrangements can be requested for other compliant secure file transfer services. Responses shall not include classified informa�on.

See pages 29-30 of the NASA Guidebook for Proposers star�ng at the “Export Control” Header for further instruc�ons: htps://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/proposer2018.pdf

Please provide the response in one searchable PDF file. Responses must follow the same format as the Sources Sought No�ce request, including sec�ons and letering (e.g., Volume II - Topic 1-b). Please note:

Once the Sources Sought No�ce response is submited, it cannot be recalled or replaced.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisi�on can be found at: htps://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate- Lis�ng.pdf

NASA intends to publicize a lis�ng of respondents in order to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this lis�ng, clearly indicate this desire in your response.