GEARS_SOW_Draft.docx

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

DRAFT

Statement of Work for

Glenn Engineering and Research Support (GEARS) Contract

NASA Glenn Research Center

September 30, 2016 ii

OUTLINE

1 PURPOSE

2 SCOPE - GENERAL

2.1 CONTRACT STRUCTURE

2.1.1 BASE

2.1.2 INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ)

3 SCOPE - SPECIFIC

3.1 STAFFING

3.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

3.3 GEARS WORK CONTROL SYSTEM (WCS)

3.4 RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT

3.5 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, NETWORKING AND SERVICES

3.5.1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORKING

3.5.2 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

3.6 OTHER DIRECT COSTS

3.7 CONTRACT DELIVERABLES

3.8 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

3.8.1 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION (STI) DISSEMINATION

3.8.2 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

3.9 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.9.1 RESEARCH & ENGINEERING SUPPORT

3.9.1.1 Chief Engineer Office Engineering Technical Support

3.9.1.2 Communications & Intelligent Systems Support

3.9.1.2.1 Architectures, Networks and System Integration

3.9.1.2.2 Intelligent Control and Autonomy

3.9.1.2.3 Advanced High Frequency

3.9.1.2.4 Information and Signal Processing

3.9.1.2.5 Optics and Photonics

3.9.1.2.6 Smart Sensors and Electronics Systems

3.9.1.3 Power Support

3.9.1.3.1 Avionics

3.9.1.3.2 Diagnostics and Electromagnetics

3.9.1.3.3 Power Management and Distribution

3.9.1.3.4 Power Architecture and Analysis

3.9.1.3.5 Thermal Energy Conversion

3.9.1.3.6 Photovoltaic and Electrochemical Systems

3.9.1.4 Materials and Structures Support

3.9.1.4.1 High Temperature and Smart Alloys

3.9.1.4.2 Analytical Sciences

3.9.1.4.3 Ceramic and Polymer Composites

3.9.1.4.4 Structural Dynamics

3.9.1.4.5 Environmental Effects and Coatings

3.9.1.4.6 Structural Mechanics

3.9.1.4.7 Materials Chemistry and Physics

3.9.1.4.8 Mechanical System Design and Integration

3.9.1.4.9 Rotating and Drive Systems

3.9.1.4.10 Multiscale and Multiphysics Modeling

3.9.1.4.11 Mechanisms and Tribology

3.9.1.5 Systems Engineering and Architecture Support

3.9.1.5.1 Human Space Flight Systems

3.9.1.5.2 Science and Space Technology Systems

3.9.1.5.3 Aeronautics and Ground-Based Systems

3.9.1.5.4 Mission Architecture and Analysis

3.9.1.5.5 Flight Software

3.9.1.5.6 Configuration and Data Management

3.9.1.6 Propulsion Support

3.9.1.6.1 Propulsion Systems Analysis

3.9.1.6.2 Engine Combustion

3.9.1.6.3 Turbomachinery and Turboelectric Systems

3.9.1.6.4 Fluid and Cryogenic Systems

3.9.1.6.5 Icing

3.9.1.6.6 Inlets and Nozzles

3.9.1.6.7 Chemical and Thermal Propulsion Systems

3.9.1.6.8 Electric Propulsion Systems

3.9.1.6.9 Thermal Systems

3.9.1.6.10 Acoustics

3.9.1.6.11 Combustion Physics and Reacting Processes

3.9.1.6.12 Fluid Physics and Transport Processes

3.9.2 FACILITIES, TESTING & MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING SUPPORT

3.9.2.1 Facilities Engineering Support

3.9.2.2 Testing Engineering Support

3.9.2.3 Manufacturing Engineering

3.9.3 SCHEDULE SUPPORT

4 APPENDICES

Appendix A: Acronyms

Appendix B: Applicable NASA and GRC Policies and Directives

Appendix C: Glenn Engineering and Research Support (GEARS) Work Control System (WCS) Requirements

Appendix D: Glenn Engineering and Research Support (GEARS) Research and Engineering Support Environment Requirements

Appendix E: Information Technology, Networking and Services

Appendix F: NASA Technology Readiness Level Definitions

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

Glenn Engineering and Research Support (GEARS) Contract

1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Glenn Engineering And Research Support (GEARS) contract is to provide support to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) as follows: 1) provide a major emphasis supporting research and engineering efforts under GRC’s core competencies and 2) provide support to specific aspects of facilities engineering, testing engineering and manufacturing engineering. These services will assist GRC in supporting Agency assigned projects and programs and will enable GRC to accomplish its mission: to drive research, technology, and systems to advance aviation, enable exploration of the universe, and improve life on Earth. These services will enable GRC to deliver research and engineering products ranging from initial concepts through complete flight systems.

2 SCOPE - GENERAL

The major emphasis of the GEARS contract will be in providing support to research and engineering work in GRC’s core competency areas. The contract will also provide support to specific and limited aspects of facilities engineering, testing engineering, manufacturing engineering and project management. The services will support aeronautics, space, and institutional related activities at GRC’s Lewis Field location in Cleveland, Ohio, and its Plum Brook Station (PBS) location in Sandusky, Ohio. Support to be provided includes, but is not limited to, the listing below:

· Research and Engineering Support (major emphasis of contract)

· Chief Engineer Office Support

· Research and Engineering Support Environment

· Support to GRC’s core technical competencies in:

· communications & intelligent systems

· power

· materials & structures

· systems engineering & architecture

· propulsion

· Facilities, Testing and Manufacturing Engineering Support (limited aspects)

· Project Schedule Support (limited aspects)

GRC’s work is accomplished through integrated teams that include a mix of GRC employees and contract personnel working together toward a common goal of mission success. GEARS Contractor personnel will be required to interface and coordinate with personnel across a wide range of NASA GRC organizations and other GRC contracts in order to successfully perform their work.

All work performed under this contract shall comply with established and applicable NASA and GRC documents for requirements, policies, procedures, directives, standards, specifications and instructions. The Contractor will be required to comply with new and revised versions of these documents as they are implemented. A representative, but not comprehensive, listing of these compliance documents is provided in Appendix B – Applicable NASA and GRC Policies and Directives.

2.1 CONTRACT STRUCTURE

The GEARS contract structure is defined in Figure 1 below.

Research and Engineering Support Environment

Contract Administration and Business Management Other Direct Costs

Base

Technical Requirements

· Research and Engineering Support

· Facilities, Testing and Manufacturing Engineering Support

· Project Scheduling Support

GEARS

Task Order

IDIQ

Figure 1. GEARS Contract Structure

The Government shall require the accomplishment of specific work through the issuance of discrete Work Orders (WO) under the Base structure or Task Orders (TO) under the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) structure. All WO will be issued via the Work Control System (WCS) and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and TO will be issued by the Government Contracting Officer (CO).

2.1.1 BASE

The Base work effort is defined as technical activities supporting the overall mission of the Center. The type of work activities that will be included under Base Activities includes any of the work effort described in Section C3 of this Statement of Work (SOW). Discrete work requirements will be defined in Government issued WO.

2.1.2 INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ)

The IDIQ work effort is defined as non-recurring, one-time, non-routine activities supporting the overall mission of the Center. The type of work activities included are at the CO or COR discretion and may include any of the work effort described in Section 3 (SCOPE - SPECIFIC) of this SOW or when all or a combination of the following characteristics are directly defined:

· Unique technical skills not presently in the Base

· Government’s need for extra visibility into a requirement

· Separate funding and financial reporting

· Substantive dollar value

· Fabrication requirements approved by Code FM

· Capital Assets

3 SCOPE - SPECIFIC

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, facilities, equipment, material, supplies, and services, except as may be expressly set forth in the contract as Government Furnished Property, to effectively implement, manage, control, track, and sustain all requirements of this contract.

3.1 STAFFING

For research and engineering discipline work, which will cover the main emphasis of the GEARS contract, the Contractor shall provide personnel who are engineers and scientists with the appropriate academic background and depth of specialized knowledge to carry out specific activities defined in each Work Order or Task Order. It is generally expected that work under this Contract will require personnel to possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific or engineering discipline appropriate for the work, and some work is expected to require personnel with degrees beyond a Bachelor’s Degree (e.g. Ph.D. with proven independent research expertise). For a small portion of the work activities, staff will be needed that may or may not have an engineering background, but that possess background and skills in project management, specifically related to configuration management, data management, and scheduling. NASA expects that this contract will generally not include technicians, because technician work scope is broadly addressed under other Center contracts.

The Contractor shall make provisions for the following staffing situations to address unique needs outside the norm, which are expected to occur on a limited number of WO and TO:

· Develop and implement processes for providing personnel to carry out Project Scientist functions for space flight experiments. This requirement is described in further detail in sections 3.9.1.6.11 and 3.9.1.6.12.

· Provide personnel who possess, or can obtain, and maintain security clearances needed for working in specific areas.

3.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

The Contractor shall provide services necessary to manage and perform the GEARS contract and its on-site and off-site personnel supporting GRC research and engineering projects. The Contractor shall conduct the following to ensure effective and efficient business practices:

· Provide a management team with sufficient knowledge and breadth of skills to effectively and efficiently manage the wide range of technical disciplines required under this contract.

· Develop and implement an effective management approach for the initial staffing and maintenance of contract-required staffing levels;

· Provide qualified personnel to effectively and efficiently execute all the contract orders

· Institute and maintain effective oversight of all contract activities;

· Ensure effective integration of administrative, business and technical functions,

· Develop and implement effective management approaches to identifying, analyzing, tracking, and mitigating contract-related risks associated with:

· Contract transition/phase-in

· Contract administration

· Technical Performance

· Annual staffing plans vs. projected workloads

· Develop and implement an effective management approach for estimating, projecting, controlling and reporting contract costs;

· Develop and implement an effective management approach for communicating, and documenting contract activity. This should include approaches and provisions to ensure comprehensive documentation of technical work.

· Develop and implement an effective management approach for scheduling and monitoring overall contract and individual task performance

· Develop and implement an effective management approach for monitoring and tracking Government Furnished Property

The Contractor’s team shall initiate and maintain regular and effective written and oral communications with the CO and COR to discuss a wide range of contract performance issues including but not limited to: process improvements, risks and related issues, corrective actions, recovery plans, and other details of contract operations (Base and IDIQ). The Contractor shall, at the Government’s request, document in writing the decisions made during these communications.

3.3 GEARS WORK CONTROL SYSTEM (WCS)

The Government will provide an automated WCS system for managing and tracking all Government issued work under the GEARS Contract. The WCS shall include Government work requirements issued as both Base and Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) efforts. The WCS is an Oracle database web application.

The Contractor role is read only, submitting a response to work requirements issued and submitting a monthly technical report for each active or in progress order.

The response shall consist of completing an online cost and Work Year Equivalent (WYE) chart for each order action and uploading 3 documents: Technical Plan (Word document) and two versions of the Cost Estimate (Excel).

· 1st Cost estimate: Complete cost estimate including rates with Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO – Code B) access only

· 2nd Cost estimate: Sanitized version of the cost estimate with access to all other WCS users.

There is no provision in the WCS system to interface with a Contractor’s business system.

Access to the WCS will be provisioned to the Contractor during Contract phase-in.

Details of the WCS are described in Appendix C.

3.4 RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT

a) Nature of Work: The Contractor shall conduct work in support of the Management Integration Office (MIO) and IT Resources Manager within Code L. The Contractor shall provide technical support for Scientific and Engineering (S&E) applications, which includes: installation, integration, license management, end-user support, and support for IT Security requirements for the Research and Engineering Directorate and the GEARS Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and Research staffs.

Activities cover a broad range of support functions which include:

· Installation and integration of over 100 Research and Engineering applications for approximately 750 Users

· End-User application support

· Maintenance of Software application licensing, procurement, and User request websites and databases

· Administration, integration and configuration of CAD applications, including specialized training sessions to support User issues and application upgrades

· Development and maintenance of the Advanced Engineering Support Operations Portal (AESOP) and the Engineering Support Office Application Administration (ESOAdmin) for the purpose of gathering User application requests, tracking support tickets, providing adhoc report for usage statistics in the development of Software technology plans, provisioning licenses, establishing application User Groups, and automated installation scripts

· Provide diagnostics/trouble-shooting and support to Code L Labs

· Assist in the identification, and development of hardware and software specifications for both User desktop and lab systems

· Support requirements definition, options review, transition planning, integration, and operational activities in cooperation with the GRC OCIO Data Center staff in support of Directorate, Center and Agency IT consolidation efforts.

· Support all efforts required to address compliance and maintenance of Code L IT Security Plans and operations.

Deliverables include both monthly and as needed deliverables:

· As Needed Deliverables:

· Software and Hardware Maintenances/upgrades will be installed within 30 days of receipt.

· New software applications will be installed within 60 days.

· AESOP usage statistics as required by Code L or the Mission Organizations

· Monthly Deliverables:

· Monthly Task reports are due the following month

· Task Specific Reports which include:

· Reporting on all requested information from the Technical Summary section

· Summary Review and updates to all databases

· Summary review and update to All Code L supported website

· Updates of all IT Projects

· Reporting of all IT Security related activities

· Reporting on all AESOP tracked activities

· Summary report on updates on all Software maintenance/upgrade/license changes and usage.

b) Goals: The Research and Engineering Directorate (Code L) within GRC is a multi-disciplined organization that provides research and engineering services to various customer organizations at GRC’s Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station sites. Code L relies upon a complex Research and Engineering Support Environment to accomplish its mission. The Management Integration Office (MIO) within Code L is the sole requestor of this requirement. Operational priorities will be established by the Code L IT Resources Manager and communicated to the Contractor Task Lead for execution. The Contractor shall provide technical support to maintain and operate the Research and Engineering Support Environment under a task as described in Appendix D.

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools: Office Space is primarily in Building 86 Room 200B, but must include space at the Contractor location for required personnel needed to support the Engineers/Research users at that location. Computers, phones, all applicable applications to support Task will be provide by the Government. Smartphones and/or Pagers for critical staff personnel will also be provided to the task from the Government. GEARS Task Lead needs to have a Smartphone for coordinating activities with the TM, Security, and Operations staff. Additionally, the task should provide three alphanumeric pagers for IT Support Staff to support operations and IT Security activities. The Contractor will also be required to provide support in Code L Labs and must adhere to all required safety guidelines when working within the labs.

d) Skills and Competencies required: Skills and competencies required for this work include, but are not limited to:

· IT systems technical support

· Database administration

· Web application development and integration

· Application integration

· System and application administration

· End-User support

· Training session development and execution for PTC product line

· Technical documentation and maintenance

· System configuration and alternatives development and Software Vendor interactions in support of Procurement activities

· IT Security

3.5 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, NETWORKING AND SERVICES

For the performance of work requirements issued under the GEARS contract, the following outlines what the Government shall provide, what the Contractor shall provide, and required services.

3.5.1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORKING

The Government shall provide:

· Agency Consolidated End-User Services (ACES) computing seats

· Network based printing capability (printing/plotting) support integrated into the existing ACES support contract

· Data repositories

· Software licenses

In addition, through the existing NASA IT Communications Services Contract, the Government shall provide:

· design, procurement, installation, and verification of Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) services

· Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

· On-going management and configuration of network components

· Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management

· Network services (i.e. DNS, DHCP, NTP)

· Inclusion of equipment in a NASA IT security plan

· Remote access services

· Firewall services

· Network monitoring

· Management

The Contractor shall provide:

· Telephony products/services for Contractor employees at an offsite facility

· Local Area Network (LAN) cabling

· Physical Environment Support

3.5.2 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide a Point of Contact to perform “Asset Management” for the ACES-provided systems. This includes:

· Ensuring the system ordered meets the Contractor employee’s job requirements

· Verifying the individual is available for service calls

· Mandating the use of the Enterprise Service Desk (ESD) process for all issues related to the use of the ACES-provided computer

· Verifying the Government computer tracking system has an accurate inventory of all devices, making corrections as necessary)

· Response to Government data calls

· Coordinating the computer refresh process between the enterprise service provider and the end user

Full details and applicable Reference Documents, Standards and Guidelines are described in Appendix E.

3.6 OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODC)

The Contractor shall apply the appropriate ODC requirements including all non-labor purchases to directly meet the WO or TO requirements. In addition, short term sub-contracted labor is within the scope of this requirement. The following are examples of such items:

(1) Equipment (other than IT)

(2) Materials

(3) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

(4) Medical expenses specifically required for use of PPE

(5) Travel

(6) Licenses, other than IT

(7) Training

(8) Short term subcontract

(9) Facility Lease

3.7 CONTRACT DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide all contractual reports of work as defined within the contract. NASA reserves the right to revise and change the reporting requirements, categories, subcategories, or reporting structure throughout the life of this contract.

3.8 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

NASA GRC is committed to supporting dissemination of scientific and technical information and to transferring its technology to markets outside of NASA. These activities enable NASA’s work to benefit both NASA and U.S. taxpayers to the greatest extent possible. As an integral member of the NASA GRC research and engineering community, the GEARS Contractor will play an important role in dissemination of scientific and technical information and in the identification of technologies appropriate for transfer to markets outside of NASA.

3.8.1 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL NFORMATION (STI) DISSEMINATION

The Contractor shall ensure compliance with NASA’s Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program. This includes reviews and approvals of STI generated under WO and TO, which must occur prior to disseminating the information (publishing, presenting, and distribution by other means) outside of NASA. The requirement and processes for review and approval of STI are described in NASA Policy Directive 2200.1 and NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 2200.2C.

3.8.2 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

The Contractor shall review the work in all WO and TO for identification of possible new technologies with potential for commercialization. The contract shall include in its monthly reports a brief description of technology that is deemed to have potential for commercial application. The Contractor shall ensure compliance with NASA Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Supplement 1852.227-11, which requires that innovations be documented through NASA’s New Technology Reporting process.

3.9 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The technical requirements described herein encompass the types of work to be conducted under this contract and are considered within the broad scope of GRC mission responsibilities. The requirements are described under the following categories: research and engineering support (the major emphasis of this contract); facilities engineering, test engineering, and manufacturing engineering support (specific and limited aspects, as described); and project management support (specific and limited aspects, as described). The work can be included in both Base and IDIQ as further defined by Government issued WO and TO.

3.9.1 RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT

The Contractor shall provide a full range of integrated research and engineering support services for GRC’s Research and Engineering Directorate. The Contractor shall provide support that enables GRC to secure, sustain, and grow specialized research and engineering capabilities essential to its role in supporting NASA programs and GRC’s strategic action plan. Work will specifically address the following technology areas: communications and intelligent systems; power systems; materials and structures; systems engineering and architecture; and propulsion systems. The Contractor shall typically work in integrated cross-discipline teams. Work will support programs and projects across NASA’s Mission Directorates, which include:

· Aeronautics Research

· Human Exploration and Operations

· Science

· Space Technology

The Contractor shall provide support in carrying out work which spans the full range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), which are defined in detail in Appendix F. The general ranges of TRL, referred to in subsequent sections, are briefly described as follows:

· Fundamental research (generally limited to TRL 1): Basic scientific principals are explored. Investigations fill gaps in knowledge, creating the foundation for development of new technology.

· Applied research (generally TRL 2-3): Technology concepts are formulated, focusing the scientific principles on specific applications.

· Engineering (mid TRL to high TRL), which address the following aspects of aeronautics, space, and related systems:

· Concept exploration

· Simulation and analysis

· Requirements development

· Preliminary design

· Detailed design

· Development

· Manufacturing

· Testing

· Verification

· Certification

· Flight/mission sustainment

· Disposal

Work will include support to transition relevant new technologies to the aerospace community. Work will also include support to space flight experiments on the International Space Station and other space-based platforms as described in 3.9.1.6.11 and 3.9.1.6.12.

3.9.1.1 Chief Engineer Office Engineering Technical Support

The Contractor shall provide technical support to the Research and Engineering Directorate, Chief Engineer Office in the resolution of technical issues through identification of cost/schedule/risk-balanced options.

The Contractor shall also support developing and implementing approved engineering practices and standards, and provide analysis to support engineering activities within projects.

In addition, the Contractor shall provide a wide variety of technical expertise to support engineering boards and technical reviews.

3.9.1.2 Communications & Intelligent Systems Support

a) Nature of Work: The Contractor shall conduct work in support of the Communications and Intelligent Systems Division. The Contractor shall support research, design, analysis and development of communications and intelligent systems for aerospace applications.

Activities cover the full TRL spectrum and include:

· Fundamental research in emerging areas such as quantum communications and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)

· The investigation of revolutionary (i.e., disruptive) technologies

· Technology maturation and development

· Concept development

· Trade studies

· Modeling, simulation, analysis, and visualization

· Requirements development

· Design, testing, verification and the development of innovative design and analysis tools, techniques, and capabilities

Applications include advanced technologies and flight systems in support of NASA’s Mission Directorates, including: Human Exploration and Operations, Aeronautics Research, Science, and Space Technology.

Focus areas in communications include:

· Advanced high frequency components and antennas

· Atmospheric propagation studies

· Optical communications

· Software defined radios

· Adaptive/cognitive communications and networking

· Digital signal processing for communications and navigation

· Communication systems engineering

· Architectural design and analysis

· Network research

· Spectrum analysis

· Protocols and standards development

Focus areas in intelligent systems are cross-cutting, supporting all GRC core competencies, and include:

· Electro-optical sensing

· Optical instrumentation

· Intelligent controls

· Dynamics system modeling

· System health management

· Smart micro- and nano-sensors and harsh environment electronics

· Embedded intelligent systems

b) Goals:

The goals of the work are to:

· Design, evaluate, demonstrate and assess communication architectures and networks for future aerospace systems and to develop advanced technologies that enable these architectures.

· Create innovative concepts and designs for aerospace communications with reduced size, weight and power (SWaP), improved performance, increased functionality and intelligence.

· Develop cross-cutting intelligent technologies and analytical tools to monitor, assess, and control aerospace systems.

· Develop advanced aerospace systems with enhanced autonomy, safety, environmental compatibility, and the ability to operate successfully in harsh environments.

· Develop advanced diagnostic techniques to improve the understanding of the fundamental physics needed to optimize the performance of aerospace systems.

c) Facilities, Laboratories & Tools:

Work in support of communications and intelligent systems research, development, analysis, and testing will be performed at in-house research and development laboratories, clean rooms, antenna ranges, micro-fabrication laboratories, modeling and simulation facilities, and demonstration platforms such as aircraft and the International Space Station (ISS). Work requires us of commercial and custom developed modeling and simulation tools.

d) Skills and Competencies Required: Skills and competencies required for this work include, but are not limited to:

· Electronics engineering

· Electrical engineering

· Aerospace engineering

· Mechanical engineering

· Computer engineering

· Software engineering

· Control systems engineering

· Chemistry

· Physics

· Electromagnetics

· Optical communication and instrumentation systems

· Cognitive techniques

· Microelectronic fabrication processing and packaging techniques

3.9.1.2.1 Architectures, Networks and System Integration

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables:

The Contractor shall provide the following for aerospace systems:

· Communication systems engineering;

· Architecture design and analysis;

· Advanced network research and development;

· Subsystem prototyping and testing.

Focus areas include:

· Applied research & development of advanced communications network architectures, protocols, standards, & technologies

· Network-based applications and the development of testbeds to benchmark and evaluate networking protocols

· Integration, test and verification of communication systems

· Communication system planning in preliminary concept studies, feasibility assessments and trade studies

· Defining technical requirements and architecture design solutions through all project life cycle phases Applications include:

· Definition of NASA’s next generation space communications architecture that incorporates advanced technology leading to more autonomous operation

· Facilitating the introduction of Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace System

· Development of test beds to demonstrate proposed system concepts

Deliverables shall include:

· Communication system architectures

· Communication system designs

· Communication system feasibility assessments and trade studies

· Networking architectures and test beds

· Subsystem development and testing

· Models and simulation tools

· Requirements documents

· Protocols and standards

· Design and development documentation

· Test plans and test reports

· Analysis reports

b) Goals:

Goals are to design, evaluate, demonstrate and assess communication architectures and networks for future advanced aerospace systems emphasizing

· Communication performance

· Quality-of-service

· Security and autonomy (including cognition) for mobile, ad hoc, and disruption-challenged networks

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools:

The work involves use of in-house labs and NASA flight research aircraft. Work includes use of commercially available analysis tools with typically unique interfaces as well as specially designed modeling and simulation tools.

3.9.1.2.2 Intelligent Control and Autonomy

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide applied research, development, demonstration and test verification of advanced concepts and capabilities for control, dynamic modeling, and system health management.

Focus areas for propulsion systems include

· Active combustion control

· Active stall control

· Techniques for turbomachinery system stability management

· Dynamic modeling of advanced turbomachinery concepts and components

· Inlet control

· Integrated flight/propulsion control

· Nonlinear, robust, multivariable control synthesis techniques

Focus areas for aerospace systems include

· Technologies for autonomous operation of air vehicles in the national airspace

· Cross-cutting applied research between controls and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

· System diagnostics, prognostics, and fault modeling

· Data qualification

· Algorithm development, proof-of-concept testing, and verification testing

Applications include:

· Aerospace propulsion systems

· Advanced aerospace systems

· Air traffic management and control in the national aerospace

Deliverables:

· Control algorithms, models, and techniques for advanced aerospace systems

· Analysis reports

· Diagnostic methodologies

· Test plans and test reports

b) Goals: The goals of the work are to:

· Enhance performance, safety, environmental compatibility, reliability, durability, and autonomy of aerospace propulsion systems

· Enhance the affordability, capability, efficiency, environmental compatibility, and safety of aerospace systems

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools: Work involves use of the following in-house facilities:

· Flight Simulation Laboratory

· Active Combustion Control Laboratory

· Actuator Characterization Rig

· Hardware-in-the-Loop System

· Portable Health Algorithms Test System

· Unsteady Ejector Laboratory

Tools used for the work include:

· Matlab/Simulink®

· TEAMS Designer

· CMAPSS

· CMAPSS40K

· T-MATS

· TTECTrA

· ETA

3.9.1.2.3 Advanced High Frequency

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide:

· Applied research and development of components, devices and circuits at microwave, mm-wave, THz, and optical frequencies for aerospace communications

· Applied research and development of RF devices for biomedical applications

· Development and performance of device simulations and modeling

· Fabrication and processing of microelectronics

Focus Areas include:

· Advanced antenna technology (e.g. Ka-band multiple access phased arrays; ultra-wideband antennas; reconfigurable antennas; deployable antennas) for aerospace communications

· Antenna metrology

· Atmospheric propagation studies

· Advanced communications technology (e.g., Superconducting quantum interference filter (SQIF) receivers; receiver-front ends for cognitive systems; quantum communications)

· Power amplifiers (e.g., traveling-wave tubes amplifiers, solid state power amplifiers, & power combiners)

· Frequency agile components and devices

· Integrated RF/optical components and devices for aerospace communications.

Applications include RF and optical communications components for the next generation of aerospace communication systems.

Deliverables shall include:

· Device, element, and system level models and simulations

· Prototype devices and circuits using microfabrication and processing

· RF and optical device designs

· Component and subsystem level hardware

· Atmospheric propagation models

· Engineering technology assessments

· Design and development documentation

· Test plans and test reports

· Analysis reports

b) Goals: Goals of the work are to develop advanced high frequency and optical technologies to enable the next generation of aerospace communications architectures and supporting subsystems.

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools: Work involves use of the following:

· In-house antenna test ranges:

· vertical planar near-field

· cylindrical near-field

· far-field

· compact

· In-house facilities and laboratories:

· Microwave/millimeter-wave device and circuit characterization laboratory;

· RF propagation laboratory;

· Integrated Radio and Optical communication laboratory

· Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) test bed laboratories

· Microelectronics fabrication and processing capabilities

· Tools for RF and optical computational and device simulation and modeling

3.9.1.2.4 Information and Signal Processing

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide applied research, technology development and engineering of information and signal processing methods and approaches for digital communications and navigation systems. Applied research is conducted in the communication, processing, analysis of data and information for a wide range of signal content (audio, video, image, sensor data, etc.).

Focus Areas include:

· Cognitive and software-defined radios, including waveform and algorithm development

· Miniaturized, low power radios for extravehicular activity, planetary surface mobility, or smallsats/cubesats

· Audio and image signal processing; position, navigation and timing methods

· Spectrum and power efficient modulation and coding techniques

· Reconfigurable microelectronic devices

· Wireless communications test beds for autonomous aeronautical systems

· Space-based open architectures for cognitive radios

· Digital and wireless communication methods for mobile, multi-user links

· Design and testing of hardware

· Waveform and algorithm development

· Software simulation and modeling analysis

· Proof-of-concept fabrication and experimental testing for ground and flight applications

Applications include information and signal processing technologies and systems for the next generation aerospace communication systems.

Deliverables shall include:

· Digital communication system designs

· Component, subsystem and system level hardware

· Waveforms and algorithms

· Proof-of-concept fabrication and experimental testing (ground and flight)

· Engineering technology assessments

· Design and development documentation

· Models and analysis reports

· Test plans and test reports

b) Goals: Goals of the work are to identify, develop, test, and deliver subsystem-level digital communication, navigation, and information/signal processing subsystems, test beds, and technologies for NASA space missions and aeronautics applications.

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools:

Work will involve use of in-house facilities, including:

· cognitive radio development laboratory and the in-house

· information systems and

· digital signal processing laboratories.

Work will also involve use of commercial simulation and model-based design tools

3.9.1.2.5 Optics and Photonics

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide research and development in the areas of optical communications, optical instrumentation, optoelectronics, photonics and health monitoring.

Work includes:

· Fundamental studies of aerodynamic flows associated with various types of aircraft across a range of flight regimes

· Performance evaluation of aircraft components and systems at altitudes using the major GRC wind tunnel facilities

· Remote and in-situ optical and fiber optic measurements of flow and material properties in harsh aircraft and spacecraft environments

· Development of advanced electro-optic systems for in-flight control and health monitoring of aerospace vehicles

· Development of innovative instrumentation and sensors to study the mitigation of ice formation in aircraft engines

· Research (both fundamental and applied) and development of optical and quantum communications systems for near earth and deep space applications.

Focus areas include:

· Free-space optical and quantum communications for space

· Optical diagnostics instrumentation for flow characterization in aerospace propulsion

· Optoelectronics for communications and aerospace propulsion

· Photonics and mechanical devices for health monitoring of aerospace systems

Applications include new technologies and methodologies for communications, propulsion, and power systems for aerospace applications.

Deliverables shall include:

· Devices and subsystem level hardware for optical communication, optoelectronics, photonics and health monitoring applications

· Designs for optical and photonic devices and subsystems

· Engineering technology assessments

· Fundamental research into advanced optics and photonics systems

· Test plans and results providing device/subsystem performance verification

· Design and development documentation

· Models and analysis reports

b) Goals: Goals of the work are to conduct cross-cutting fundamental and applied research into optics-based communications and diagnostic systems resulting in increased performance, reliability, and safety of aerospace systems developed at GRC and across NASA.

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools: Work will involve use of facilities, as follows:

· Fundamental research and instrumentation development is conducted using in-house laboratories.

· Higher TRL testing of components and devices is conducted in major GRC wind tunnel facilities.

· Flight testing of remote sensing and communication systems is conducted using available GRC aircraft or on the ISS.

3.9.1.2.6 Smart Sensors and Electronics Systems

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables The Contractor shall provide research, development, testing, and application of adaptable instrumentation to enable intelligent measurement systems for aerospace propulsion and space exploration programs through fundamental and applied research activities. The research involving micro/nanomechanical-based electronic instrumentation technologies covers a broad range of TRL, involving both fundamental and applied activities that will enable operations at higher temperatures and in extreme environments.

Work includes design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of:

· Thin film sensor systems for temperature, strain, heat flux and flow measurements

· chemical species sensors for fuel, oxidizer, combustion, atmospheric, and exhaled breath gases

· silicon carbide (SiC) based electronic devices for sensor signal conditioning, data processing and communication

· pressure sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for actuators

· nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)-based sensors and electronics;

· Sensor and electronic device packaging

Focus areas include:

· Sensing and energy harvesting concepts and architectures

· Wireless sensor communication technologies

· Physical sensors, electronic devices and integrated circuits

· Microelectronic fabrication processing techniques;

· Sensor device integration and packaging

· Integrated packaging concepts to demonstrate long-term durability and reliability of intelligent measurement systems under applicable/extreme conditions

· Sensor failure mode identification and damage mechanisms of sensors under harsh environment conditions

Applications of intelligent measurement systems include:

· Hardware evaluation during facility or rig testing for propulsion component and propulsion system research and development

· Gaseous leak, emission, radiation

· Human health safety and environmental monitoring

· Instrumentation for planetary science missions, e.g., Venus surface missions

· Diagnostic health monitoring and control functions for advanced aerospace systems and planetary exploration systems

· Safety, security, surveillance monitoring for situational environmental awareness

Deliverables shall include:

· Advanced sensors and sensor system designs and hardware

· Electronic device designs and hardware

· Fundamental research into advanced sensors and electronic systems

· Sensor and electronic device packaging techniques

· Design and development documentation

· Models and analysis reports

· Proof-of concept fabrication and experimental tests

· Test plans and test reports

b) Goals: Goals of the work are to:

· Conduct cross-cutting applied research to investigate relationships between sensor and electronic material properties, performance, and microfabrication processing and packaging techniques

· Develop and characterize intelligent measurement systems with

· Increased high temperature and extreme environment performance capability

· Increased durability and reliability for diagnostic health monitoring and control functions

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools:

Work involves use of the following in-house facilities:

· Micro/nano scale laboratories for: crystal growth; sensor and electronic device microfabrication processing; device packaging; test, evaluation, durability, and reliability characterization

· analysis studies of sensors and electronic devices operating in application relevant ambient.

Tools to be used for the work include commercially available computational tools for sensor and electronic device design, modeling, and simulation analysis.

3.9.1.3 Power Support

a) Nature of Work: The Contractor shall conduct work in support of the Power Division. The Contractor shall support applied research, technology development, and aerospace flight projects for all aspects of electrical power systems, as well as the cross-cutting disciplines of flight avionics and flight data systems.

Activities cover a broad range of the TRL spectrum and include:

· End-to-end power system analysis and design

· Primary energy conversion systems from solar, thermal, electrochemical, and nuclear sources

· Energy storage

· Aerospace power electronics

· Power management and distribution

· Flight avionic systems

· Electric machines

· Electromagnetic interference compatibility design, mitigation and test

Applications include

· Space Power systems supporting NASA missions, commercial, and DOD

· Advanced terrestrial and aerospace energy conversion and machine/motor design

· Flight avionics and data management systems for NASA missions

Focus areas in support of the power core competency include space power system:

· analysis

· architectures

· development

· test Work focuses on diverse generation methods, storage, and life testing at the component, subsystem, and system (distribution) level.

b) Goals: The goals of the work are to:

· provide fundamental and applied research, development, and flight system engineering for electrical power generation, storage, conversion, and distribution

· provide support for avionics and flight data systems development and engineering for various NASA missions

c) Facilities, Laboratories and Tools:

Work will involve use of in-house research and development laboratories, clean rooms, fabrication laboratories, and modeling and simulation facilities.

Work also involves operation and use of the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) test facility for all GRC-led flight systems that require validation of EMI requirements.

Work will also involve use of a wide range of commercial and custom-developed modeling and simulation tools.

d) Skills and Competencies required: Skills and competencies required for this work include, but are not limited to:

· Electrical and electronics engineering

· Computer and networking engineering

· Mechanical engineering

· Chemical engineering

· Physics

3.9.1.3.1 Avionics

a) Nature of Work: The Contractor shall provide the following:

· Engineering design, development, integration, and testing activities for avionics hardware and firmware

· End-to-end avionics system architecture definition, integration, analysis, and evaluation

· Specification, design, development, procurement, testing, and verification of components associated with these disciplines throughout all phases of the project/program life cycle for both ground and flight projects

Focus areas include flight computers, data busses, printed circuit boards, and programmable logic devices (PLDs).

Applications include:

· Ground and flight hardware components and systems being developed at NASA GRC in support of NASA missions

· Embedded software/hardware developed under NASA and GRC standards and guidelines, where implementations include the full suite of required documentation and testing associated with the relevant payload classification and requirements Deliverables shall include:

· Avionics architectures and board level designs

· Avionics analyses

· Design and development documentation and test reports

· Component, subsystem, and system level hardware

b) Goals: Goals of the work are to develop requirements and design, build, test, verify, deliver and integrate hardware and all necessary documentation to enable successful completion of space, aerospace and aeronautics projects in the areas of GRC’s primary core competencies of Power, Propulsion, and Communications.

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools:

Work involves use of in-house avionics laboratories for developing and testing breadboard, engineering model, and/or flight hardware.

Work also involves use of the following tools:

· Altium,

· Visio,

· PSpice),

· development tools for PLDs as required by GRC-PLD-CDD.

3.9.1.3.2 Diagnostics and Electromagnetics

a) Nature of Work and Deliverables: The Contractor shall provide support to technology development efforts, for all aspects of electrical systems, flight avionics, flight optics and flight data systems. These systems are applicable across a wide range of aerospace programs and projects and support activities from conceptual design to flight system development, and include applied research, development, discipline engineering, testing and system analysis capabilities needed for electrical systems and critical subsystems technologies, including developing innovative design and analysis tools, techniques, and capabilities.

Focus areas include

· Electrical and optical systems for ground and flight hardware applications

· Flight data management systems

· End-to-end motor control system analysis and design

· Electric machines

· Electromagnetic interference design, compliance, mitigation and testing

Applications include:

· Ground hardware components and systems, including Electrical Ground Support Equipment and test support equipment

· Flight hardware components and systems

Deliverables shall include:

· electrical, optical, and data system architectures;

· design and development documentation and test reports;

· component, subsystem, and system level hardware analysis, design, test, and delivery;

· EMI test plans and verification reports.

b) Goals: The goals of the work are to to enable successful completion of space, aerospace and aeronautics projects in the areas of GRC’s primary core competencies of Power, Propulsion, and Communications through the following:

· Development of requirements

· Designing, building, testing, verifying, delivering and integrating hardware

· Delivery of all necessary documentation

c) Facilities, Laboratories, and Tools:

Work will involve use of in-house laboratories including various project-specific…