LEO New Approach Acquisition.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

LEO New Approach Acquisition

LEO Acquisition Themes

• Procurement will occur in three phases:

– Phase 1: Core and 2 Commercial Modules

– Phase 2: Market Driven Power and Cooling Module

– Phase 3: Market Driven Commercial Expansion or Free Flight Services

• Procure a NASA-owned Core Module via a supply contract with potential partnership opportunities.

– Plan to attach to the International Space Station (ISS) or if needed, go to free flight directly.

• Develop two commercial modules via partnership arrangements.

– These modules will be attached to the NASA-owned Core Module while attached to ISS

• NASA will continue to procure Commercial Space Transportation services (Crew and Cargo)

– The plan will ensure transportation capabilities remain viable between the arrival of the new core station attached to ISS and the end of the ISS.

Page | 2

Transition to services will only occur when market demand matures and is self sustaining Commercial Modules will be a unique partnership arrangement between NASA and the Provider

Core Module Acquisition Strategy Core Module Supply

Based Contract Acquisition

• Primary objective of the Core Module acquisition is to build, delivery, maintain and sustain the Core.

• May initially select 2 awardees for the requirements and architectural maturation phase

• Downselect to 1 after architectural maturation

Rapid High TRL Dev Incentive Industry To:

• Use High Reliability and TRL components

• Maximize use industry standards that meet intent of NASA standards.

• Tailor design approach for rapid iteration and early testing.

Partnering (Cost Offset to NASA for

Core Module)

• NASA seeks industry ideas to reduce/offset cost for the build, deliver and or sustaining of the Core Module

• Access to or use of ISS, Crew Seats, use of the Core, etc.

• Value of the offsets would result in an equitable cost reduction

Page | 3

NASA wants to engage in new and innovative ways to leverage commercial cost offsets and partnership opportunities even on the Core Module

Potential Example for Core Module Cost Offset

• Provider bids a cost offset to the Core Module development based on NASA provided commercial opportunities

– Provider requests an ISS seat on a future long duration mission with a split of their crew time between NASA and Commercial Tasks

– Additionally, they request access to an amount of cargo upmass and EXPRESS rack space for their own commercial endeavors on the ISS

– In exchange, the provider agrees to pay for a percentage of the Core Module design development and testing

– NASA evaluates and then has the capability to accept as part of the initial proposal process or chooses not to accept based on the overall value trade

• Creates opportunity to reduce costs to the government while increasing opportunities for the Core Module provider to cultivate their own independent market

Commercial Module Acquisition Strategy

• NASA Responsibilities

– Partner with US Industry for the development and operations of Commercial Module(s) where NASA offsets cost in exchange for a percent of use rights to module(s).

– NASA does not want to be the majority stakeholder

– Enable Commercial Partner to berth Comm Module to a Core Radial Port

– Safety and compatibility focused insight and oversight of the development and operations with an appropriate requirement set

• Commercial Partner Responsibilities

– Design, build, integrate, launch, demonstrate and operate a commercial module.

– Demonstrate market growth and ability to provide products to a market of Government and commercial customers

– Establish approach to achieve self-sustaining free flying commercial destination

Page | 5

Commercial Module Acquisition Strategy

• Commercial Partners keep their Intellectual Property and proprietary data

• Provide NASA access for verification, certification, safety, operations and maintenance insight/oversight.

• Firm Fixed price Milestones will be used to track developmental process, certification and operations

• Potential partnership arrangement:

– NASA and Provider agree to scope, total price, milestones and NASA percent contribution

– Milestone payments dependent on successful completion of milestone and evidence of providers expenditures

– NASA gets a percent use/access rights to commercial module

– Arrangement continues through sustaining and operations

– When market demand matures, NASA will consider ordering services

• NASA is interested in lowest cash contribution

– Similar to the Core, industry can propose other NASA contributions (e.g. NASA upmass, use of NASA crew time, use of ISS, long duration seat, etc.)

Page | 6

Transportation

• Transportation Services (Crew and Cargo) – while attached to ISS

– NASA will continue to use CCP and CRS contracts

– Transportation Services (Crew and Cargo) – while attached to Independent Core

• NASA will extend or recompete CCP and CRS contracts

– Potential on ramp of additional vehicles based on market demand

• When market matures and NASA purchases services from a CLD, the transportation services will be reassessed