AACES Sources Sought Notice.pdf

NASA/GRC is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability in 2050 (AACES 2050).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI), and members of the underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for AACES. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.

NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is leading the research and development of advanced technologies which which will meet the future needs of the aviation community. The mega-drivers for these needs include anticipated growth in demand for mobility, the requirement for affordability, sustainability, and reduced energy use, and the transformational convergence of technology across industry sectors. From these mega-drivers, ARMD has identified six strategic thrusts including the need for Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transports. NASA ARMD is conducting major research and development efforts in this area under the Sustainable Flight National Partnership with the aim of impacting the design of aircraft entering service in the 2030s. However, in support of this strategic thrust NASA ARMD is also beginning to explore the aircraft concepts and technologies which could enter into service in the 2040s and beyond. To support this exploration, NASA intends to engage with industry, academia, and other organizations through the “Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability in 2050 (AACES 2050)” study. The study seeks to stimulate innovation and the development of advanced conceptual designs and technologies for commercial subsonic aircraft that could enter service around 2050, market permitting. The results of these studies will be used to identify key technology areas for NASA investment and will influence the future content of NASA’s subsonic transport research and technology portfolio.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references.

Additionally, in support of the Executive Order (EO) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, NASA is seeking to advance equity or remove barriers for members of underserved communities related to this requirement. As defined in the EO, Underserved Communities refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of "equity." Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

NASA seeks input in the following areas:

1. To support the requirements identified in this request for information (RFI)/sources sought notification, what barriers or opportunities exist to engage subject matter experts from industry and academia and how can those barriers be overcome? How can underserved communities be leveraged?

2. To support the requirements identified in this RFI, what barriers or opportunities exist to partner with subcontractors that employ members of underserved communities, as defined above?

3. What other recommendations would you make to enhance diversity and inclusion?

4. What should be considered to encourage full participation and contribution of organizations and individuals (e.g., outreach efforts and innovative partnerships) in performance of this requirement?

All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Ashlee Shaw at ashlee.b.shaw@nasa.gov no later than 5:00 PM EDT August 7, 2023. Please reference 80GRC024N0001 in any response.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited.

Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.