Centennial Challenge_Allied Organizations Notice.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION {NASA}

OPPORTUNITY NOTICE TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS PRIZES, CHALLENGES

AND CROWDSOURCING PROGRAM (CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES) AS AN

ALLIED ORGANIZATION

Contracting Office Address:

NASA Headquarters, Space Technology Mission Directorate, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546-0001

This Opportunity Notice (hereinafter “NOTICE”) is for informational/planning purposes only and the Government will not pay for the information received. This NOTICE is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the government to enter into any agreement or other obligation or to conduct a prize competition.

This NOTICE is issued in accordance with the NASA Prize Authority, 51 U.S.C. § 20144.

I. INTRODUCTION

Through this NOTICE, NASA seeks to identify potential partner organizations (hereinafter “Allied Organizations”) for the Lunar Waste Management Challenge (tentative title) to be conducted for the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program. This challenge will be conducted under Centennial Challenges, NASA’s flagship initiative for technology prize competitions.

NASA will provide the monetary prize purse (which can be supplemented by outside organizations) that is awarded to competition winners. NASA will not provide any funds or cost reimbursement to an Allied Organization for their work on this Challenge. Allied Organizations may administer the Challenge with their own funding and/or they may acquire the funding from partnerships with sponsoring organizations or through other means.

Sponsoring organizations are those entities that partner with an Allied Organization to contribute funding for administrative expenses or in-kind support through separate agreements between the Allied Organization and the sponsoring organization.

Organizations interested in becoming an Allied Organization should submit a response describing their capabilities and/or their capability to acquire the necessary support and/or funding from a sponsoring organization. Details on the essential capabilities of Allied Organizations are provided in Section VII of this NOTICE.

Based upon a review of the capabilities of each proposed Allied Organization, NASA may consider partnerships with several proposed Allied Organizations to pursue proposed Challenges. Participation in a Challenge as an Allied Organization will be contingent upon evaluation and selection by NASA and negotiation of an appropriate Nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement between NASA and the proposer.

II. ELIGIBILITY TO BE AN ALLIED ORGANIZATION

Under 51 U.S.C. § 20144, NASA is only allowed to partner with private, domestic, U.S.

non-profit organizations as Allied Organizations for a Challenge. Organizations of any type, and individuals, may collaborate and submit a joint response describing their support of a designated private, domestic, U.S. non-profit organization that would lead the Challenge effort as the Allied Organization.

Neither Allied Organizations, their collaborators, nor employees, associates nor students associated with the proposing institutions will be eligible to win a prize funded by NASA in a Challenge that they manage. Allied Organizations, collaborators, and their officers and employees may not have a financial or other interest in any teams that compete in any Challenge they manage.

Multiple otherwise eligible organizations may form partnerships to manage a Challenge and may submit a joint proposal.

III. SPACE ACT AGREEMENT

A Nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement (SAA) will specify the contributions and responsibilities of NASA and the Allied Organization for execution of the Lunar Waste Management Challenge.

The agreement will address intellectual property rights, concurrence on rules, team agreements, media rights, insurance, registration fees and eligibility, term, and related areas as well as other requirements imposed by 51 U.S.C. § 20144 and applicable law.

NASA reserves the right to select for SAA negotiations all, some, or none of the responses submitted to this NOTICE, and in the event no responses are selected, NASA reserves the right to post an additional NOTICE or NOTICES with respect to new Challenges. Respondents will be responsible for funding their own activities associated with responding to this NOTICE, as well as further developing and conducting the Challenge. Allied Organizations are permitted to collect reasonable registration fees from competitors but the use of registration fees as a primary means to cover Challenge administration costs is discouraged.

For additional information regarding Space Act Agreements, see NASA Policy Directive

1050.1 “Authority to Enter into Space Act Agreements” (https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/OPD_docs/NAII_1050_1D_.pdf).

https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/OPD_docs/NAII_1050_1D_.pdf

IV. CENTENNIAL CHALLENGES BACKGROUND

Centennial Challenges, now part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program, was established to conduct prize competitions to generate innovative solutions to technical problems of interest to NASA and the nation. Those competing for the NASA monetary prizes can be individuals, independent teams, student groups, research organizations or private companies, but they cannot receive government funding to support any of their work related to the technical area of the prize Challenge.

Centennial Challenges seeks unconventional solutions from non-traditional sources and, thereby, strives to identify new talent and stimulate the creation of new businesses.

Unlike contracts and grants based on proposals, prizes are only awarded after competitors have successfully demonstrated their innovations. Competitors retain ownership of their intellectual property.

To be eligible to win a NASA Centennial Challenges monetary prize, an individual or entity shall have registered to participate in the competition pursuant to any rules promulgated by NASA; shall have complied with all the rules of the competition and requirements of applicable law; in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.

Centennial Challenges in the past have typically required several phases of competition to occur before the total prize purses have been claimed. Competitions may be conducted in a first-to-demonstrate format or in a head-to-head contest format. The competition events, especially in the head-to-head contest format, typically involve public spectators and/or televised or webcasted coverage and are high-visibility opportunities for public outreach and education. Additional information can be found at www.nasa.gov/challenges

V. ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS – ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES

Allied Organizations will be responsible for some, or all, of the following activities during the formulation and execution phases: Challenge planning, challenge formulation and execution; competitor recruitment, registration, and competitor management;

Challenge administration and reporting; and Challenge marketing and publicity.

VI. CHALLENGE CONCEPT

As NASA prepares for future sustained human lunar exploration missions, the need for management of inorganic waste streams, waste storage, and waste composition has emerged. NASA aims to develop technologies that allow for the responsible use of other http://www.nasa.gov/challenges planetary surfaces as well as maintainability and reuse of resources. The intent of the Lunar Waste Management Challenge is to develop and demonstrate novel recycling technology and/or systems to convert physical lunar waste streams into usable resources.

The challenge will have two tracks. Competitors will choose either a digital twin track demonstrating a holistic approach to the entire waste stream, or a prototype build and demonstration of new technology converting at least one waste stream into valuable resource(s) for use on the lunar surface.

Phase 1: Design (Both Tracks) Competitors will develop detailed engineering designs based on the mission scenario provided and the requirements of their track.

Phase 2: Digital Twin Competitors will design a comprehensive “system of systems” that meets defined constraints and objectives, utilizing the data, models, and innovations from Phase 1 that meet NASA objectives. Competitors will produce an interactive digital twin that fully demonstrates their concept for holistic waste management on the lunar surface.

Phase 2: Prototype Build and Demo Competitors will build a prototype of their technology that fits within the specified constraints and demonstrate that it meets the Challenge objectives.

The prize purse provided by NASA Centennial Challenges is anticipated to be no less than $3 million.

A description of the Allied Organizations responsibilities is provided in the appendix to this NOTICE. Further refinements and creative enhancements of the Challenge concept by the Allied Organization, with concurrence by NASA, are encouraged.

VII. SELECTION CRITERIA

NASA will select Allied Organizations based on the following evaluation criteria:

A. Capabilities and approach of the organization to administer the Challenge and competition events, including ability to:

1. promote the technical and educational goals of the Challenge through creative use of public media, including websites

2. attract multiple competitors with wide geographic distribution

3. encourage the participation of individuals, groups, students, and businesses, especially those outside the traditional aerospace community and those from minority and under-represented communities

4. finalize competition rules and plans in consultation with NASA

5. provide appropriate competition venues and supporting equipment as needed

6. select and recruit qualified judges

7. managing, train and oversee the judging panel as needed

8. conduct competitor registration and verify eligibility to compete

9. maintain communication with competitors and with NASA

10. collect and report aggregate data on competitor progress and performance

11. plan competition events and other meetings as appropriate

12. conduct competition events safely and impartially

13. consider organizing educational activities, including parallel student-class competitions (university, high school, or other levels) to enhance and broaden the impact of the Challenge

14. report competition results to NASA and to the public

B. Experience of the organization in similar or analogous activities that demonstrate competence, integrity, commitment to safety, and ability to work cooperatively in partnering arrangements.

C. Ability of the organization to support Challenge administration through internal financial resources or firm commitments of sponsors. Existing financial resources or sponsor commitments will be a positive factor in evaluation of proposals.

D. Ability of the organization to provide and support the appropriate competition environment(s), arenas, facilities, etc. needed for the competition tasks through internal financial resources and/or firm commitments of sponsors. Existing financial resources or sponsor commitments will be a positive factor in evaluation of proposals.

E. Access of the organization to technical expertise in the area of the Challenge topic.

F. Interest and goals for participating as an Allied Organization in the Lunar Waste

Management Challenge.

VIII. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses to this NOTICE should be no more than seven pages in length, not including any letters of commitment from sponsoring or partner organizations. Pages in excess of the page limitations for each section will not be evaluated. A page is defined as one (1) sheet 8 1/2 x 11 inches using a minimum of 12-point font size for text and 8-point for graphs. Proposals should not include proprietary information. Submitted information will be shared within NASA and with contractor personnel associated with the Centennial Challenges Program.

The proposal shall consist of:

Page 1: Cover page including:

● Name of organization;

● Mailing address and phone number of organization;

● Web site of organization (if applicable);

● Name, mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number of primary officer of the organization;

● Name, mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number of organization’s point-of-contact for the proposal (if different from primary officer);

● Date of submission

Page 2: Briefly describe your organization, including history, primary activities, interests, capabilities, and financial and personnel resources. Include any experience of the organization that is similar or analogous to the proposed Challenge administration, and that demonstrates competence, integrity, commitment to safety and ability to work cooperatively in partnering arrangements. List any current or previous (for the past five years) contracts, grants or agreements with your organization and any federal agencies that exhibits these abilities.

Page 3: Describe your organization’s interest in the Lunar Waste Management Challenge and your reasons for wanting to manage it. Describe any goals that you would have for the Challenge, above and beyond those of NASA.

Pages 4, 5, & 6: Describe your capability and approach to managing the Challenge including:

● publicizing the Challenge

● attracting a diverse field of competitors

● concepts for developing rules and evaluation criteria for judging

● proposed competition format, including the competition environment/arena/facilities/etc. needed for the competition tasks

● access to technical expertise in the Challenge topic area

● approach for selecting and recruiting judges

● facilitating public engagement with Website, Internet (e.g. Web 2.0 social networking) and media coverage prior to, during, and after the competition

● providing appropriate educational activities, including parallel student-class competitions (university, high school, or other levels)

● approach to maximizing the safety of the public, organizers, and competitors prior to and during competitions

● approach to providing NASA data on competitor progress and performance

● an estimate of the expected cost of managing the Challenge and an estimate of the expected registration fee that might be charged to competitors (if applicable)

● proposed schedule for major milestones in the process of planning and conducting the Challenge. These include the date when the competition rules will be finalized, when competitors can register, and when the competition will take place

Page 7: Describe the financial resources that your organization has or expects to obtain through sponsorships or in-kind contributions to conduct this Challenge. Provide a schedule that identifies major milestone toward securing funding or other resources needed for Challenge development or management. Discuss any dependencies between securing these resources and milestones for registration and the competition.

Page 8: Describe your approach to staffing for long-term Challenge administration and for conducting competition events. Identify the person with primary responsibility for management of the Challenge and the anticipated level of effort.

Include attachments for:

● Letters of commitment from any known sponsoring organizations or others providing financial or in-kind contributions;

● Letters of commitment from any partner organizations

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All proposals in response to this NOTICE, including signed letters of commitment, must be submitted in a single PDF file as an attachment to an electronic mail message to HQ- STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 29, 2024. Paper submissions will not be reviewed.

GENERAL INFORMATION

NASA will notify all proposers of the results of the evaluation and selection process.

NASA may ask clarification questions to resolve minor or clerical errors. After the completion of the evaluation and selection process, as appropriate, NASA will begin negotiations with selected proposers to finalize the terms and conditions of a Non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement. All work, as required, will commence after the parties execute a Space Act Agreement. Selection of an Allied Organization for this NOTICE is expected to occur within 30 days of the submission deadline.

IV. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The point of contact is Kim Krome, Deputy Program Manager, Centennial Challenges, NASA/MSFC/ST21, Huntsville, AL 35812.

Questions regarding this NOTICE should be directed to Kim Krome, Deputy Program Manager for Centennial Challenges, Space Technology Mission Directorate; HQ-STMD- CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov. For further information on Centennial Challenges see: http://www.nasa.gov/challenges.

mailto:HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov mailto:HQ-STMD-CentennialChallenges@mail.nasa.gov http://www.nasa.gov/challenges

APPENDIX – Description of Allied Organization Responsibilities

1. Conduct the Challenge according to the rules and in a timely, efficient, and safe manner in accordance with accepted industry standards, practices, and U.S.

regulations.

2. Submit documents, review feedback, and obtain concurrence from NASA for any proposed sponsorships that augment the Challenge purse and/or modify the name of the Challenge.

3. Review, provide feedback, and facilitate concurrence on Challenge rules document that includes evaluation criteria and process.

4. Develop, prepare, and submit to NASA for its review, feedback, and concurrence the following Challenge-related documents:

a. A Challenge Execution Plan that delineates how the Allied Organization will conduct the Challenge, including, at a minimum, plans for personnel, publicity, student-level competitions, educational activities, and merchandising;

b. A Team Agreement template to be entered into between the Allied Organization and the competitors; and

c. A list of individuals selected to be judges for the Challenge. The Allied Organization will select qualified and impartial judges, to include individuals outside NASA and in the private sector, who are responsible for selecting the winners. These individuals shall not have, nor shall members of any such judge's family have, personal, financial or business interests in, or be employees, officers, directors, or agents of Challenge Teams or Challenge Team sponsors. The Allied Organization, its employees, officers, directors, and the immediate family of such employees, officers, directors and agents are not eligible to be judges in the Challenge.

5. Finalize Challenge-related documents based on NASA review, feedback and/or concurrence.

6. Establish and maintain a dedicated public website for the Centennial Challenges Lunar Waste Management Challenge that provides, at a minimum, current information regarding rules, logistics, Team Agreement template, team information reports, evaluation criteria and process, responses to all inquiries from the general public, prospective teams, and registered teams; a social platform for prospective and registered teams to communicate and collaborate if desired.

NA

7. Identify and solicit potential Challenge participants.

8. Ensure compliance by all registered teams with the eligibility requirements delineated in the NASA Prize Authorization Act (51 U.S.C. § 20144), including the provisions regarding U.S. entities, U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and Federal entities or Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. The Allied Organization will ensure that its employees, officers, directors, and the immediate family of such employees, officers, directors and agents are not participating on teams that compete for the Challenge prize(s).

9. Provide access for NASA representatives to view Challenge events (within the constraints of safe operations) and access, when requested, to Challenge management activities including meetings among judges, teams, and the Allied Organization personnel.

10. Respond to all inquiries about the Challenge from the general public, prospective teams and registered teams.

11. Collaborate with NASA on administrative and technical matters when necessary.

12. Collect and submit weekly updates regarding, at a minimum, updates on team registration and other pertinent Challenge-related issues (The content and depth of these reports will be mutually agreed and may be modified from time to time to reflect changing circumstances as deemed necessary by both Parties).

13. Collect and submit brief monthly status reports regarding, at a minimum, status of challenge milestones and risk assessment. (The content and depth of these reports will be mutually agreed and may be modified from time to time to reflect changing circumstances as deemed necessary by both Parties).

14. Collect and submit a brief, quarterly report to NASA with competitors' aggregate reported information on their investments directly related to their participation in the Challenge.

15. Ensure the judges properly select the winner(s) in compliance with the evaluation criteria and processes.

16. Provide NASA a written list detailing the winner(s) for the technology demonstration events.

17. Collaborate to develop and implement events designed to engage the K-12 community, with a focus on underserved communities and MSIs, in planetary recycling/sustainability education and NASA's missions.

18. Draft and submit a post-Challenge written report that includes, at a minimum, an assessment of the effectiveness of the Challenge and recommendations for improvement to NASA.