NextSTEP-2_BAA_App_R_v9.3.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Headquarters Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate

300 E ST SW

Washington, D.C. 20546-0001

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 (NextSTEP-2)

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Appendix R: Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies NNH16ZCQ001K-Appendix-R-1

Draft Originally Issued: August 16, 2024 Issue Date: September 20, 2024

Amendment 003

Issued: October 18, 2024

Proposals Due: October 25, 2024, by 12:00 PM Eastern Time

NextSTEP-2 Appendix R: Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies

NextSTEP-2 Appendix R: Lunar Logistics and Surface Mobility Studies Change Log

Version Description of Changes Date

DRAFT Appendix R released August 16, 2024 Appendix R draft updated and released September 20, 2024 Appendix R Amendment 001 issued September 27, 2024 Appendix R Amendment 002 issued October 15, 2024 (Q&A only) Appendix R Amendment 003 issued October 18, 2024

Table of Contents 1 Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background

2 The Moon to Mars Logistics Architecture

2.1 Architecture Approach

2.2 Acquisition Objectives

3 Description of Study Topics

4 General Information

5 Eligibility Information

5.1 Eligibility of Applicants

5.2 Corporate Resources

5.3 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

6 Proposal Submission Information

6.1 Instructions for Proposals

6.1.1 Proposal Format and Contents

6.1.2 Additional Proposal Guidance

7 Proposal Review Information

8 Award Information

9 References

9.1 NextSTEP Reference Website: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nextstep/

9.2 SAM.gov Reference Website for NextSTEP-2 Appendix R: https://sam.gov/content/home

9.3 NASA Proposers Guide: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-nasa-proposers-guide-final.pdf

10 Attachments

10.1 Attachment A: Lunar Surface Cargo White Paper

10.2 Attachment B: Lunar Mobility Drivers & Needs White Paper

10.3 Attachment C: Lunar Logistics Drivers & Needs White Paper

10.4 Attachment D: Ground Rules, Assumptions & Constraints

10.5 Attachment E: Model Contract

http://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nextstep/ http://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-nasa-

1 Introduction and Background

1.1 Introduction

NASA supports public-private partnerships for achieving its strategic goals and objectives for expanding the frontiers of knowledge, capability, and opportunities in space. An important part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration strategy is to stimulate the commercial space industry while leveraging those commercial capabilities through public-private partnerships and potentially through future contracts to deliver mission capabilities at lower costs. The second Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP)-2 omnibus Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NNH16ZCQ001K, solicits proposals through appendices in areas including, but not limited to:

• Studies to support mission architecture definition.

• New approaches to rapidly develop prototype systems.

• Demonstration of key capabilities.

• Validating operational concepts for future human missions beyond low-Earth orbit; and

• End-to-end design, development, test, and in-space evaluation of future flight systems.

The National Space Policy directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to “lead an innovative and sustainable program of scientific discovery, technology development, and space exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities. Beginning with missions beyond low Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.” NASA has defined the Artemis Program to be consistent with this direction, utilizing a strong mixture of commercial and civil space capabilities to establish sustainable lunar missions in the late 2020’s.

The mission of NASA is to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery. Key in this mission is extending the reach of humanity through the human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As established in the Moon to Mars Strategy and Objectives, “Why” we explore encompasses three pillars: Science, Inspiration, and National Posture. Ensuring success in all three areas requires an architectural approach that incorporates innovation, collaboration, and partnerships that can be sustained across a multi-decadal effort. To enable this effort, NASA has developed an innovative approach to the definition of NASA’s Moon to Mars human exploration architecture, architecting from the objectives (from the right) to ensure that the architecture developed satisfies the agency objectives. In refining the Moon to Mars architecture, two gaps were identified in the Artemis lunar architecture with respect to the transportation and delivery of lunar surface logistics and lunar surface uncrewed mobility systems that are required to enable the proposed lunar exploration activities.

To address these gaps, NASA will build on the public-private partnership model to identify potential innovative solutions that will provide the required lunar logistics strategy and lunar surface uncrewed mobility systems to enable sustained human exploration of the lunar surface.

This BAA Appendix is structured to meet the following goals:

• Identify innovative and affordable potential solutions for an integrated lunar surface logistics operational architecture,

• Identify innovative and affordable potential solutions for the provision of uncrewed transportation capability for lunar surface assets.

1.2 Background

NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture defines the elements needed for long-term, human-led scientific discovery in deep space. NASA’s architecture approach distills agency-developed objectives into operational capabilities and elements that support science and exploration goals.

Working with experts across the agency, industry, academia, and the international community, NASA continuously evolves that blueprint for crewed exploration, setting humanity on a path to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Architecture Concept Review (ACR) serves as the vehicle to document NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration strategy and corresponding campaign segments as documented in the publicly released ESDMD-001 Moon to Mars Architecture Definition Document (M2M ADD) and other supporting internal and external documents and products.

This Agency-level review is held annually with participation by all of NASA's Mission Directorates (MDs). Its content is largely based upon the current year’s Strategic Analysis Cycle (SAC) performed by ESDMD’s Strategy & Architecture Office (SAO) as well as other NASA MDs. The SAC results drive the content for the ACR. Results from the studies conducted under the auspices of this BAA Appendix will be used to inform the content of future SAC analyses, and therefore will help define future elements to be incorporated in the Moon to Mars architecture.

2 The Moon to Mars Logistics Architecture

2.1 Architecture Approach

NASA’s architecture approach distills agency-developed objectives into operational capabilities and elements that support science and exploration goals. Working with experts across the agency, industry, academia, and the international community, NASA continuously evolves that blueprint for crewed exploration, setting humanity on a path to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The Moon to Mars (M2M) logistics architecture comprises the planning, development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive, affordable, and effective systems support strategy. The M2M Logistics Architecture encompasses the entire life cycle, including acquisition (concept studies, concept and technology development, preliminary design and technology completion, final design, and fabrication), final production, support (system assembly, integration and test, launch, operations, and sustainment), and closeout. The principal objectives of M2M Logistics Architecture are to:

• Ensure Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is considered along with key design and performance parameters.

Influence product design so that the system can affordably attain required operational availability.

• Design, develop, and implement a cost-effective support system.

• Maintain and improve availability, improve affordability, and minimize the logistics footprint.

In addition, the M2M logistics architecture must account for the capability to move logistics from the point of delivery to a storage location (if applicable), and on to the point of use.

2.2 Acquisition Objectives

NASA has identified two gaps in its lunar architecture: an integrated surface logistics architecture and uncrewed surface mobility systems for lunar surface assets. The objectives of this solicitation are to seek proposals from industry for the conduct of studies specifically focused on the envisioned logistics and mobility capabilities as stated in Attachment A (Lunar Surface Cargo), Attachment B (Lunar Mobility Drivers and Needs) and Attachment C (Lunar Logistics Drivers and Needs) of this Appendix. These resources are intended to provide relevant information and context for this activity. They highlight key results from the annual Architecture Concept Review and complement NASA’s Architecture Definition Document.

Specific objectives NASA would like to accomplish include:

• Identify innovative strategies and concepts for logistics and mobility solutions. This could include a variety of topics, including but not limited to:

o synergies between logistics- and mobility-specific capabilities.

o identification of logistics- and mobility-specific needs that may be beyond current and/or planned commercial capabilities.

o innovative ideas for partnership business models, including intellectual property, asset ownership, and timing of asset delivery, and/or services to the government.

o the use of advanced robotic and/or autonomous capabilities.

• Evaluate and understand driving technology maturity, cost, and schedule drivers for meeting reference technical requirements, and/or drivers for validating a concept of operations.

• Obtain data that supports NASA’s ability to define, derive, and validate logistics and mobility requirements. Said data could inform a baseline mission concept that identifies options for and approaches to meeting logistics- and mobility-specific capabilities. This data could also contribute to the verification/validation of logistics and mobility approaches that could support NASA’s lunar architecture.

3 Description of Study Topics All Offerors shall provide a single proposal in response to any combination of one or more of the following study topics, each of which are organized under a separate Contract Line Item Number (CLIN). The proposal shall identify by number the specific study topic(s) that the Offeror is responding to in their proposal. CLINs 001-005 address considerations for discrete surface logistics systems. CLIN 006 addresses un-crewed surface mobility systems. CLIN 007 addresses an integrated architecture that considers multiple logistics and/or mobility systems. CLIN 008 is reserved for Special Studies to be undertaken at NASA’s unilateral discretion and should not be bid against. The CLIN structure is further defined in Section 6.1.2 of this Appendix.

Offerors may bid on a single CLIN, multiple CLINs, or all CLINs. The bid price for each CLIN shall not exceed $1,000,000, and in the event that multiple CLINs are bid against, the entire price for all bid CLINs shall not exceed $4,000,000.

The study topics are:

1) Logistics Carrier(s) Concept(s): An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for logistics carriers of various sizes, volumes, and configurations.

2) Logistics Handling and Offloading Concept: An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for handling and offloading unpressurized cargo, carriers, fluids, and gases.

3) Logistics Transfer Concept: An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for the transfer of cargo from the lunar surface to a pressurized volume.

4) Staging, Storage and Tracking Concept: An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for managing surface logistics inventory prior to, during, and after delivery to the final point of use.

5) Trash Management Concept: An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for trash management that contributes to mission sustainability and maximizes crew efficiency.

6) Surface Cargo Transportation and Mobility Systems Concept: An approach for technology investigation and maturation and concept development for the movement of cargo on the lunar surface after delivery by a lander.

7) Integrated Strategy Study: An approach for an integrated assessment of the lunar surface logistics strategy and the transportation of the logistics to the pressurized habitation elements. This can also include the incorporation of the launch vehicle and cargo lander as part of the transportation.

4 General Information

• Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

• Announcement Title: NextSTEP-2 BAA, Appendix R: Lunar Logistics and Mobility

Studies, RFP NNH16ZCQ001K-Appendix-R.

• Responsible Headquarters Office:

NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate Strategy & Architecture Office NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546

• Selection Official:

Nujoud Merancy, Deputy Associate Administrator Strategy & Architecture Office Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

• Responsible Implementing Organization:

NASA Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

Strategy & Architecture Office NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546

• Points of Contact:

o Procurement Analyst:

Jodie LaFreniere-Dajc, Procurement Analyst NASA Headquarters Office of Procurement 300 E Street SW Washington, DC 20546-0001 o Technical Point of Contact:

Zaida Y. Hernandez NASA Johnson Space Center 2101 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058

• Inquiries: There will be an opportunity to submit written questions on the final release of this Appendix. The questions shall not contain proprietary information nor require proprietary information in the response. NASA will not provide evaluations, opinions, or recommendations regarding any suggested approaches or concepts.

All questions shall be submitted to the Procurement Analyst at jodie.e.lafreniere-dajc@nasa.gov by October 4, 2024, no later than 5:00pm Eastern Time. Inquiries shall identify the Company Name and BAA number at the top of the request.

• Proposals Due: The Offeror’s proposals must be posted electronically to the following location: https://nasagov.app.box.com/f/4a8191e00cee48efb9caa9d36888d709in accordance with instructions no later than October 25, 2024, no later than 12:00pm Eastern Time.

5 Eligibility Information

5.1 Eligibility of Applicants

This Appendix is open to non-Government U.S. institutions (companies, universities, nonprofit organizations) only. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) employees, national laboratories, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) shall not be proposed as a Prime Contractor on any effort associated with this announcement but may participate as a team member. NASA civil servants shall not be initially proposed for this effort. Following contract award, NASA may consider NASA civil servant participation through the use of negotiated Government Task Agreements with corresponding price adjustments via contract modifications. However, Offerors should not include NASA personnel, resources and/or facilities in their proposal. Other eligibility information is also included in the omnibus portion of this BAA.

5.2 Corporate Resources

Corporate contributions for this effort are strictly optional and made at the sole discretion of the Offeror.

mailto:jodie.e.lafreniere-dajc@nasa.gov https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnasagov.app.box.com%2Ff%2F4a8191e00cee48efb9caa9d36888d709&data=05%7C02%7Cchristopher.p.zavrel%40nasa.gov%7C31920aa93a294376432808dcd8bb2514%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C638623545488239968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iDNyvzFbKVn%2BbAjZWpie8PFd63YPKF%2BGaqiEyZlzfXw%3D&reserved=0

For those proposals that do wish to identify the application of corporate resources to the tasks identified in this Appendix, corporate contributions should be made within the last year, and directly relevant to the proposed effort. Additional information on corporate resources is contained in the omnibus portion of this BAA.

Corporate contribution may be in the form of direct labor, travel, consumables, or other in-kind contributions. Also, other reasonable forms of corporate contribution may include investments in special facilities or equipment, tooling or other prior private investment, and internally funded technology maturation such as Independent Research and Development (IRAD) are deemed acceptable for this effort. For this BAA, state and local government contributions may be included with private corporate resources.

Criteria and procedures for the allowability and allocability of cash and non-cash contributions shall be governed by FAR Parts 30 and 31, and NFS Parts 1830 and 1831. NASA reserves the right to hold due diligence discussions to make reasonable determinations regarding corporate contributions.

5.3 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)

NASA has determined that the receipt of a contract from this appendix will not constitute an OCI based on biased ground rules. An OCI based on biased ground rules could prevent the recipients from proposing on subsequent solicitations regarding lunar logistics and mobility. NASA based this determination on FAR Section 9.505-2 (b) (1) (iii), which provides an exception for preparing specifications or work statements. This exception applies when more than one contractor has been involved in preparing the statement of work. NASA intends to award two or more contracts for studies. Additionally, the studies will provide valuable information for the Statement of Work but are not to write the specifications or work statement.

6 Proposal Submission Information

6.1 Instructions for Proposals

See the omnibus BAA for general instructions. Where instructions are different, the specific instructions in this section are in addition to or supersede the general instructions in the omnibus

BAA.

6.1.1 Proposal Format and Contents

The proposal format and content requirements as outlined in this section are specific to this Appendix and supersede the instructions in the omnibus BAA. The required sections of the proposal must be submitted as one searchable, unlocked PDF file with edit permission enabled.

Offerors must comply with the format and page limit requirements as described in this Appendix. There is a 10mB limit for the electronic media file size for proposals. Only attachments that are specifically requested in this Appendix should be submitted. The requested proposal electronic naming convention is as follows: Company Name - TBD Requirements in this Appendix supersede any requirements in the NASA Guidebook for Proposers or in the omnibus BAA. If any requirements conflict between the omnibus solicitation, this Appendix takes precedence.

Pages in excess of the page limits for each section will not be evaluated. A page is defined as one side of a sheet, 8 1/2" x 11" with at least one-inch margins on all sides, using not smaller than 12- point font, with the exception of tables and figures, which may use 8-point font. Offerors may submit foldout pages (11” x 17” or smaller) however the fold out will be considered as two (2) 8 ½” x 11” pages. Any font that the Government determines smaller than this amount will not be evaluated.

Applicants shall post their proposal submission to the following location:

https://nasagov.app.box.com/f/4a8191e00cee48efb9caa9d36888d709 Offerors shall identify their proposal as Company Name - TBD Proposal Submission and complete all required information fields in the online submission portal.

Proposals received after October 25, 2024, 12:00 PM Eastern Time by the Government after will not be accepted. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Proposal Section Page Limitations

Title Page 1 Executive Summary (Section I) 2 Proof of Eligibility (Section II) 3 Qualifications of the Offeror (Section III) 5 Approach to Conducting Studies (Section IV) 25 Intellectual Property (Section V) 1 Signed Model Contract (Section VI) No limit.

Price Proposal (Section VII) No limit Proposal Attachments No limit

Title Page:

• Include any Notice of Restriction on Use and Disclosure of Proposal Information.

• An optional graphic image may be included.

• The Proposer’s name of the proposal or proposed project

• Date of the proposal

• The title and solicitation number

• Organization name and address

• Proposer Point of Contact name, title, e-mail address, and phone number

I. Executive Summary: Describe the proposal’s prominent and distinguishing features.

The Executive Summary should provide an overview of the proposed effort that is suitable for release through a publicly accessible archive should the proposal be selected.

II. Proof of Eligibility: Provide information showing that the Respondent and all team members are eligible participants as stipulated in Section 3 of the omnibus BAA and Section 5 of this Appendix. Describe compliance with eligibility requirements as needed.

III. Qualifications of the Offeror: Provide information on the organization’s capabilities and the qualifications of individuals that the Offeror identifies as key personnel.

IV. Approach to Conducting Studies: The Offeror shall describe their approach to conducting the study topics. The Offeror shall identify by number the specific study https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnasagov.app.box.com%2Ff%2F4a8191e00cee48efb9caa9d36888d709&data=05%7C02%7Cchristopher.p.zavrel%40nasa.gov%7C31920aa93a294376432808dcd8bb2514%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C638623545488239968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iDNyvzFbKVn%2BbAjZWpie8PFd63YPKF%2BGaqiEyZlzfXw%3D&reserved=0 topic(s) that the Offeror is responding to and the proposed approach for addressing the identified study topics from Section 3.0 of this Appendix including how they map to meeting the objectives identified in Section 2.2 of this Appendix.

V. Intellectual Property: The Offeror shall describe the approach for data rights, and how they meet the objectives outlined in the omnibus BAA, Section 2.7, Intellectual Property Developed Under an Award.

VI. Signed Model Contract: A Model Contract is provided in Attachment E of this Appendix. Please be advised that all sections designated with the text [OFI] represent “Offeror Fill-Ins”. Offerors should fill in [OFI]’s and submit as part of the signed model contract with the proposal submittal. Additionally, sections designated with the text [TBD] stand for “To Be Determined”. Offerors should not fill in the [TBD]’s.

The Government will update these after contract award. Offerors may take exception to or have unique interpretations of any model contract clauses. These exceptions and/or unique interpretations should be listed clearly in a Summary of Exceptions.

Note, taking exception to, or having unique interpretations of any required clauses MAY have a negative impact on potential selection. The government does not intend to conduct negotiations. However, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with selected Offerors, cost/price terms and any other terms, if it is deemed in the best interest of the Government.

VII. Price Proposal: The price proposal shall include the overall firm fixed price not to exceed $1,000,000 per study, and not to exceed $4,000,000 in total. Price shall be broken out by CLIN. The Offeror shall provide the firm fixed price, by CLIN, on Attachment F.

• The Government may select execution of the proposal based on programmatic requirements and availability of resources.

• The Offeror shall add a table listing the breakout and value of corporate resources, if proposed.

Proposal Attachments:

• Attachment A: Statement of Work: The Offeror shall provide a draft Statement of Work that includes a work breakdown structure and a description of the major tasks, milestones, and deliverables.

Attachment B: Payment Milestones: The proposal shall include no fewer than two payment milestones: at contract start plus 60 days and at contract completion. Payment milestones shall be appropriate for the scope of work accomplished in each milestone period. The Offeror shall propose the associated objective success criteria/deliverables for the individual study topics and the payment amount.

• Attachment C: List of Proposed Deliverables: The Offeror shall provide a list of proposed deliverables that is consistent with the Additional Proposal Guidance regarding Study Deliverables set forth in Section 6.1.2 below. Each deliverable description shall include a descriptive title, objectives, description of content, proposed format of deliverable, and submittal date(s) based on contract start date plus [OFI] days.

• Attachment D: Corporate Resources Documentation: The Offeror shall provide documentation showing proof of corporate contributions (if applicable).

• Attachment E: Quad Chart: A quad chart summarizing the proposed objectives, team, milestones, and funding requirements. The Offeror may propose the format.

• Attachment F: Resumes: Resumes may be included for key personnel, limited to no more than 2 pages each.

6.1.2 Additional Proposal Guidance

Contract Structure The Lunar Logistics & Mobility Studies contract(s) establish a milestone-based approach, with program activity progression based upon the successful completion of predecessor activities. Initial activities and milestones are focused on technology investigation and maturation and concept development. Subsequent activities and milestones are focused on concept maturation. NASA will consider solutions/studies that propose new or additional capabilities that align with NASA's stated objectives for the CLINs. If a novel capability offers significant value, is affordable and is integrated into a proposed architecture, it will be considered within scope. Notionally, Concept Definition activities will comprise the first half of the study period, culminating in a Midpoint Review that will summarize initial architectural concepts. Concept Maturation activities will be the primary focus of the second half of the contract period of performance, concluding with a Final Review that showcases all final Study Reports. The contract structure is as follows:

• CLIN 001: Logistics Carriers Concept - This area examines specialized containers, including concept systems and required subsystems needed to provide an efficient and interoperable lunar surface logistics system to deliver logistics that must stay within pressure and temperature tolerances and cannot be exposed to vacuum. Concept considerations include survivability of carriers and contents, operability, supporting multiple configurations (e.g., modularization), scalability, size and volume of logistics carriers, crew and robotic portability and handling, system complexity, automation, and ability to supply logistics to support point-of-use. Concepts may include provision for the pressurized or unpressurized delivery of gasses.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 001 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 001 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible logistics approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface logistics, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar surface logistics operations.

• CLIN 002: Logistics Handling and Offloading Concept – This area examines how logistics carriers, unpressurized cargo, potable water, and other fluids and gas needed for crew operations will interface with, and be offloaded from, lunar landers that could be landing at various lunar locations. Considerations include interoperability, that allows for surface system concepts supporting various customers along with offloading operations, maneuverability and manipulation that minimizes crew time, efficiency of operations that minimizes any lifting and handling equipment needed.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 002 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 002 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible logistics approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface logistics, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar surface logistics operations.

• CLIN 003: Logistics Transfer Concept - This area examines how cargo is transferred from pressurized logistics carrier(s) to the pressurized habitable volumes on the surface. Additionally, transfer of unpressurized logistics, water and gasses needs to be also addressed (e.g., surface element spares, nitrogen, oxygen). Areas of considerations include modification of existing lunar surface systems, interoperability, robotic operations to load and offload carrier(s), dust control, minimizing required crew time (EVA or IVA), any potential docking or mating systems along with contingencies for docking system failures, automation, and manipulation.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 003 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 003 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible logistics approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface logistics, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar

• CLIN 004: Staging, Storage and Tracking Concept - This area examines how logistics carriers, unpressurized cargo, potable water, and other fluids and gas needed for crew operations will be staged, stored, and tracked on the lunar surface. Strategy considerations include power necessary to maintain logistics carriers for multiple months or years, the tracking of inventory, which could include the status and location of numerous carriers and being able to identify the inventory of cargo (food, water, clothing, spare parts, equipment, tools, suit supplies, etc.), regardless of where they are staged on the lunar surface.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 004 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 004 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible logistics approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface logistics, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar surface logistics operations.

• CLIN 005: Trash Management Concept - This area examines how trash, waste and used logistics carriers generated by crew activities are managed and contribute to mission sustainability. Due to limited volume in the lunar surface habitable volumes, trash management is important to ensure adequate space in the habitable elements for the new supplies. Trash management could also pose a demand for the crew’s limited EVA time along with effecting lunar surface sites and exploration at those sites. Considerations include strategies to offset the accumulation of trash and waste, repurposing or maximizing reuse of the logistics system concepts.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 005 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 005 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible logistics approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface logistics, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar

• CLIN 006: Surface Cargo Transportation and Mobility Systems Concept - This area examines mobility strategy and concepts for assets (including logistics carrier(s), unpressurized cargo, potable water, other fluids and/or gas) that have been offloaded from landers on the lunar surface. These assets will need to be transported by mobile systems on the lunar surface to other locations including staging areas, surface habitats, or other pressurized and unpressurized mobile assets. This area also examines mobility strategy and concepts for the relocation of lunar surface elements.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 006 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 006 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

The concept should highlight an acceptable approach to maximizing logistics efficiency through mobility. Considerations include how the cargo will be transported to and from lunar landers to the various point-of-need locations, operability, supporting multiple cargo configurations (e.g., configurability), scalability, system complexity, automation (including extravehicular robotics and/or intravehicular robotics), offloading/positioning cargo at the point of use, and/or assisting of the docking of the carrier to the surface element if that is identified as a need from the lunar surface system architecture.

Example asset mass ranges include the following:

< 3,500kgs – Small pressurized cargo, science payloads, gasses and liquids, spare parts 3,500 – 12,000kgs – Mid-size pressurized cargo modules, technology demonstrators >12,000kgs – Large assets, Surface Elements

The mobility systems will be required to transport assets across the lunar surface.

Two different ranges have been identified to date:

10s of meters – moving assets away from the lander.

10s of kilometers – moving assets during exploration excursions and relocating payloads from one exploration site to another.

The studies should identify the asset class(es) that the mobility systems concept study is addressing. Additionally, due to the desire for the lunar surface systems to be used for multiple functions, the studies should also identify other potential functions covered by the mobility systems (e.g., using the energy storage required for mobility as auxiliary power for other surface elements).

In addition, the concept shall also identify a viable business case that ensures an economically feasible mobility approach that is affordable, scalable and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy. This business case shall characterize the maturity of applicable technologies that can be applied for lunar surface mobility, and how that technology is expected to grow and impact future lunar surface mobility operations.

• CLIN 007: Integrated Strategy Studies – Performs and integrated assessment of the lunar surface logistics strategy and the transportation of the logistics to the pressurized habitation elements. This can also include the incorporation of the launch vehicle and cargo lander as part of the transportation.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 007 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 007 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

• CLIN 008: Special Studies - Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Task Order(s). Special studies, analysis, and/or support tasks as initiated by written direction from the Contracting Officer. Offerors shall not provide any information, non-cost or cost related, regarding CLIN 008 in their proposal.

NASA intends to award not less than one CLIN 008 study task valued at not less than $10,000.

Government engagement and provision of subject matter expertise for CLIN 008 activities will be limited to joint working group support. The proposal should identify the nature, level of effort and scope of requested NASA engagement.

NASA will not initially provide material support for CLIN 008 through mechanisms such as Government Task Agreements (GTAs), or any other type of Government engagement other than specified joint working groups that are utilized at NASA’s unilateral discretion.

The total value of milestone payments shall not exceed $4,000,000 in total. Offerors shall propose a milestone payment schedule that reflects their proposed study approach.

Payment milestones should, at a minimum, occur approximately 60 days after contract award and at the conclusion of the study contract. Payment milestones should reference studies completed for that payment.

Study Deliverables

• Kick-Off Meeting: Conduct a Kickoff Meeting, and provide accompanying briefing materials, at two weeks following contract award to discuss the study topics and the proposed plans for conducting the study. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #1: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 45 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #2: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 90 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #3: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 135 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Midpoint Review: Conduct a midpoint Study briefing at contract award plus 180 days to present Concept Definition results. The location of the meeting shall occur at NASA Headquarters (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

o Study Reports, in appropriate MS Office suite and PDF format. Final version of the written Midpoint Studies, including delivery of all supporting data, one (1) week prior to the Midpoint Review. The studies shall be organized per the table, below:

Study Name Content

Concept Study

Contractor shall provide concept study results for the area addressed. The concept study shall include:

• Preliminary concept of operations

• Mass, power, and volume preliminary estimates

• Required ground support equipment.

• Tasks requiring crew IVA and EVA support or

IVR and EVR support.

• Lander assumptions

• Impacts to other lunar surface elements.

• Technology assessment for concept-enabling capabilities, to include current TRL and maturation strategy.

• Long-lead procurement strategy

• Recommended NASA application of NASA

GFE/GFP and subject matter expertise

Contractor shall also describe their business case for ensuring that their proposed approach is economically feasible and furthers NASA’s desire for a robust lunar economy.

Contractor shall also recommend an appropriate procurement strategy for the development and operation of their concept, to include contract type, cost optimization, value creation, and management of resources.

Ground Rules, Assumptions & Constraints Study

Contractor shall provide feedback in the form of redlines and comments to NASA-provided Ground Rules, Assumptions and Constraints (GRAC), based upon the Contractor’s concept.

Schedule Study

Using appropriate Integrated Master schedule methodology, Contractor shall provide a preliminary development schedule for each conceptual system from ATP through first flight demonstration of each applicable system.

Cost Study

Contractor shall provide an estimated rough order of magnitude cost for each conceptual system from ATP through first flight demonstration of each applicable system.

Risk Study

Contractor shall provide an integrated assessment of technical and programmatic (cost, schedule) risk, as well as a proposed risk management strategy for each conceptual system.

o Midpoint Study Reports presented and delivered at the Midpoint Review are preliminary in nature and shall address how the Contractor met the objectives stated in Section 2.1 of this Appendix and the results of the specific study topics as proposed by the Offeror. All study topic supporting data shall be provided with the Study Reports, for example: CAD models, mass estimates, results of analysis, etc.

o Deliverables are to be submitted to the NASA Contracting Officer (CO) in electronic format using standard Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

o A written response to questions submitted by the Government following the Midpoint Review and receipt of the Study Reports.

o Additional study deliverables may be proposed by the Offeror.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #4: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 225 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #5: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 270 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Technical Interchange Meeting #6: Conduct a Study Status briefing at contract award plus 315 days focusing on overall study status/progress. Specific topics shall be coordinated in advance with NASA. The location of the briefing shall occur at the Contractor’s facility (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

• Final Review: Conduct a final Study briefing at contract execution plus 345 days to present final Concept Maturation results. The location of the meeting shall occur at NASA Headquarters (with Microsoft Teams) unless otherwise agreed to by the Government.

o Final Study Reports, in appropriate MS Office suite and PDF format. Final version of the Final Studies, including delivery of all supporting data, one (1) week prior to the Final Review.

o The Final Study Reports shall be organized in the same manner as the Midpoint Study Reports. Final Study Reports presented and delivered at the Final Review are final in nature and shall address how the Contractor met the objectives stated in Section 2.1 of this Appendix and the results of the specific study topics as proposed by the Offeror. All Final Study Report supporting data shall be provided with the draft and final report, for example: CAD models, mass estimates, results of analysis, etc.

o Deliverables are to be submitted to the NASA Contracting Officer (CO) in electronic format using standard Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

o A written response to questions submitted by the Government following the Final Review and receipt of the Final Study Reports.

o Additional study deliverables may be proposed by the Offeror.

7 Proposal Review Information NASA will review and evaluate proposals in accordance with the omnibus BAA, Section 5. In accordance with the proposal contents as identified in Section 6.1.1 of this Appendix, NASA is soliciting proposals that identify how the Offeror conducts and manages concept definition and maturation studies that will result in candidate architectures that address the seven study topics identified in Section 3 of this Appendix. NASA will evaluate proposals using the following evaluation factors, with each factor having equal weight:

Factor 1 – Relevance: The Government will evaluate the relevance of the proposal to meet the overall objectives of the Lunar Logistics & Mobility studies for which the proposal was submitted.

Factor 2 – Technical Merit: The Government will evaluate the quality, depth, and thoroughness of the proposed technical approach and the organization’s capabilities and the qualifications of key personnel.

Factor 3 – Price: The Government will evaluate the Firm-Fixed-Price proposals in conjunction with FAR 15.404-1 (b) including the extent to which the Offeror complied with the specified dollar limits in this Announcement. Also, an analysis will be done on the corporate contribution to ensure that it properly aligns with the proposed effort.

8 Award Information Contract Award: NASA reserves the right to select for award multiple, one, or none of the proposals received in response to this solicitation. The overall number of awards will be dependent upon funding availability and evaluation results. NASA intends to award contracts based upon the overall quality of the Offeror's proposal for all CLINs proposed. NASA will not be making partial awards for discrete CLINs. The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award contracts based on initial proposals, without discussions. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if deemed in the best interest of the Government.

Accordingly, each Offeror should submit its initial proposal to the Government using the most favorable terms from a cost and technical standpoint.

Period of Performance: As indicated in Section 6.1.2, NASA desires a nominal period of performance of 12 months for this effort. NASA may elect to extend the period of performance if additional tasking within the scope of the original contract is required, and it is deemed in the best interest of the Government.

Award Date: Award is anticipated on or about February 01, 2025. NASA may not make any awards to those selected until NASA receives the appropriate fiscal year appropriations or may choose to only award a portion of those selected and reserve the remaining awards pending the final appropriations for the fiscal year. Any reduced appropriations or continuing resolution may affect NASA’s ability to award selected Offerors.

Funding Allocation: NASA anticipates individual award amounts not to exceed $4,000,000 per study contract across multiple potential efforts. Contracts shall be firm fixed price with no fewer than two milestone payments. The Government’s obligation to make awards is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payments can be made and the receipt of proposals that NASA determines are acceptable.

9 References

9.1 NextSTEP Reference Website: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nextstep/

9.2 SAM.gov Reference Website for NextSTEP-2 Appendix R:

https://sam.gov/opp/2291c46520324038830…