QuestionandAnswer3.pdf

Questions re Lunar Resources received 9/30-10/01 2020

1. Is the contractor required to put our lunar regolith collector through the NASA Technology Readiness Level process? Answer: No. The Proposer may indicate what TRL level that the Proposer believes their concept is at, at the time of the proposal submission using the TRL as identified here https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/txt_accordion1.html.

a. If so, will we need to reflect this in our budget?

b. What technology readiness level will be recommended and/or required?

2. Will NASA be providing any communication facilities, access or related strategies; or, will the contractor be responsible for end-to-end communications with their lunar regolith collector?

Answer: Contractor will be responsible for end-to-end communications with their regolith collector to the extent the Contractor’s concept requires in order to demonstrate the work has been completed.

3. Does this RFQ have any reference to, or clauses similar to: 48 CFR § 15.208 - Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals? Answer: A specific FAR clause was not used to reference proposal revisions, but yes revisions to the location in which a vendor would land and collect the regolith would be acceptable.

a. For example, we may propose that the mined samples will be left in location A, but the lander we use, ends up landing the mining robot far from location A; we may have to provide samples at a modified location.

b. Just to clarify my example - if the lander lands the mining robot far away from the initial location we mention in the contract, we may have two choices - move the lander to the location specified in the contract, or, ask for permission to modify the location of the samples.

c. If 48 CFR § 15.208 is not included in this RFQ, my understanding is that we would only have one choice, and that is to keep the original location.

4. Could you let me know the minimum ($1?) and maximum price NASA is willing to pay for a sample? Answer: This is a simplified acquisition, but you may quote your pricing as you see fit as NASA is requesting quotations on a lowest price technically acceptable basis.

5. What do you mean by the ‘size status’: The Offeror shall state in their offer their size status for this procurement. Is it whether we are Small or Large Business – Answer: Correct, please state your business size along with any socioeconomic status that your company may have.

6. How will the mass be measured for the 50-500 grams of regolith? Answer: determination of mass may be by direct measurement or indirect (e.g. by visual indication that a know volume such as a scoop has been filled)

7. "After ownership transfer the collected material becomes the sole property of NASA for use as NASA may determine."

a. Does this mean we need dedicated permanent storage for the collected regolith?

Answer: No.

8. "NASA may elect to make multiple awards for this work."

a. Does this imply multiple collection devices may warrant multiple awards? Answer: NASA may award to more than one vendor.

9. Can we submit two collection methods in one quote? Answer: Yes, per section 2(A)(1)(a)(1) of the RFQ.

10. Will NASA be able to help with launch permits among the FAA if launch is to take place in American soil? Answer: Per section 5 of the RFQ, NASA is not providing Government Furnished Property or Services.

11. Will NASA give permission for the launch to take place in one of NASA’s launch pads? Answer:

Per section 5 of the RFQ, NASA is not providing Government Furnished Property or Services.

12. Will NASA be able to share forecasts about solar radiation during the cruise? Answer: Per section 5 of the RFQ, NASA is not providing Government Furnished Property or Services.

13. Will NASA provide information and support regarding Earth orbits available for the contractor?

Answer: Per section 5 of the RFQ, NASA is not providing Government Furnished Property or Services.

14. In the FAQ, NASA mentioned “NASA expects that the Contractor will provide all data (including raw data) to support their claim. For example: time stamped video and locational telemetry streams” Are you able to provide more details about, frequencies, modulation type, and preferred digital communication protocols to be used? Answer: No. The time stamped video and locational telemetry should be sufficient to reasonably support the claim, and so that it is clear that the claim has not been faked nor embellished.

15. What is the data set that NASA hopes to receive to authenticate and confirm that the launch was successful and that the launch route to the moon is actually being accomplished? Answer:

Launch range radar and video, telemetry from the spacecraft that the Contractor provides, US Govt capabilities, and publically available information.

16. Would a proposal for a deep coring unit fall under this RFQ? When reading through the details it does not specifically request deep coring as one of the objectives, however when reading the overall NASA Lunar Exploration Program Overview this is a desired objective. Answer: Per the work statement, the lunar materials may be collected from any location on the Moon. NASA has no preference in the case of this procurement. If the Contractor elects to collect the material by collecting a core sample then that is an acceptable collection method.