Capability Study BAA III_Source Selection Letter_FINAL_ForRelease_redact working_Redacted.pdf

SOURCE SELECTION STATEMENT

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD.

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

Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-CIS-Appendix_Q

Appendix Q:

CIS Capability Studies III: Lunar Surface User Terminals & Network Orchestration and Management Systems

Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 (NextSTEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement NNH16ZCQ001K-CIS-Appendix_Q

Background

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) long-term vision is to provide for a resilient communications and navigation infrastructure in which space mission users can seamlessly connect between an array of space-based and ground-based networks. Initially, NASA aims to develop an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA assets and commercial networks and services. This will facilitate a smooth transition to fully commercialized communications services for near-Earth users. The ultimate goal is to develop a reliable, robust, and cost-effective set of commercial services in which NASA is one of many customers.

The Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office’s third Capability Studies BAA sought industry insights and innovative guidance in the following two (2) Study Areas:

Lunar User Terminal Network Orchestration and Management System (NOMS)

The CIS Office will collaborate with US industry partners to conduct innovative studies on the aforementioned topics. These efforts aim to identify critical requirements, demonstrate capabilities that address NASA’s future needs, and explore operational efficiencies that will facilitate successful commercial transitions within the Agency.

On July 8, 2024, NASA posted the NEXTStep-2 BAA Appendix Q for Capabilities Studies for the above listed study areas to identify requirements, demonstrate capabilities to address future NASA needs, and explore operational efficiencies to drive successful commercial transitions within the Agency. NASA’s intent in soliciting proposals under BAA Appendix Q is to award firm-fixed-price milestone-based contracts. Offerors were allowed to propose on any or all of the study areas identified in Appendix Q. NASA also reserved the right to select for award multiple, one, or none of the proposals in response to Appendix Q; with a total of $1,100,000 allotted for cumulative awards. The final number of awards will depend on available funding and evaluation results. Three (3) amendments were posted on July 19, 2024, July 26, 2024, and August 01, 2024, but did not extend the originally stated proposal due date of August 8, 2024.

Evaluation Process

In accordance with the review process outlined in the BAA Appendix Q, an in-depth compliance check was conducted to verify compliance with the eligibility criteria contained in the BAA Appendix Q and the Omnibus BAA. Six (6) offerors, listed below in alphabetical order, submitted timely proposals by the due date of August 8, 2024.

Based upon the proposals submitted and NASA’s initial evaluation thereof, all six (6) offerors remained eligible for selection and award. The six (6) remaining proposals for evaluation had acceptable Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Avoidance Plans.

The Source Evaluation Panel (SEP) established for this procurement evaluated the proposals based on the criteria outlined in BAA Appendix Q and the Omnibus BAA. The evaluation criteria and weighting in Appendix Q are detailed below. These criteria are consistent with those set forth in the NextSTEP-2 Omnibus BAA.

Factor 1 – 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 2 – Relevance: The Government will evaluate the proposal's relevance to the services study objectives, its alignment with the Government’s interests and goals, and its adherence to the outlined expectations. This includes how well the proposal addresses the notional study requirements.

Factor 3 – Price: The Government will evaluate the cost reasonableness of the firm-fixed-price estimate and corporate contributions, including compliance with specified dollar limits.

Factor 1 (Technical Merit) is the most important. Factor 2 (Relevance) is more important than Factor 3 (Price).

The SEP identified strengths and weaknesses and assigned the adjectival ratings of “Excellent”, “Very Good”, “Good”, “Fair”, or “Poor” to the Evaluation Factors of Technical Merit and Relevance. The SEP also evaluated the Price Factor.

Evaluation Results

NASA’s NextSTEP-2 BAA Appendix Q technical adjectival ratings are as follows:

FIGURE 1: Appendix Q Technical, Relevance, and Price Ratings

Technical Merit Relevance Price Decision Aalyria Very Good Very Good $393,004 Select Intuitive Machines Good Very Good $647,000 Select

Source Decision

On September 12, 2024, I reviewed the SEP’s comprehensive briefing summarizing its evaluation work and conclusions. The briefing provided an opportunity for the SEP to fully explain its final assessment of each proposal and for me to ask questions directly to the SEP while ensuring I had an in-depth understanding of each offeror’s proposal to support making informed selection decisions. It is my determination that the evaluation results documented therein, including the findings, adjectival ratings, narrative bases for each adjectival rating, and the Total Evaluated Prices were created in accordance with the evaluation criteria and methodology set forth hereto. Further, it is my determination that this evaluation record has a rational basis, is thoroughly documented, and provides me with information regarding the qualitative merits and drawbacks of each offeror’s proposal that is sufficient to support my selection decisions. I have selected the following companies for contract award:

Aalyria Intuitive Machines

Below is my analysis for each of these offerors and the accompanying basis for their selection for award. For each offeror, I have identified those aspects of its proposal that I find to be particularly compelling and noteworthy.

Aalyria (Study Area 2: Network Orchestration and Management System)

Technical Merit:

The Aalyria proposal for Study Area 2: Network Orchestration and Management System thoroughly addresses the majority of the critical requirements set forth in the BAA. This includes key areas such as dynamic network orchestration, real-time autonomous control, adaptive network topology management, and the integration of advanced physics modeling and digital twin capabilities.

The Aalyria proposal includes several innovative solutions, particularly the Spacetime platform, which offers advanced network management capabilities tailored to the needs of space communication. Additionally, the emphasis on hybrid network architecture and strategic commercial partnerships aligns with NASA’s goals of enhancing its communication infrastructure through innovative and collaborative approaches.

The proposal specifically targets the most critical and high-priority requirements, such as maintaining robust communication networks in dynamic and challenging environments.

The capabilities of the Spacetime platform are well-aligned with NASA's long-term objectives, ensuring the proposal meets a broad range of technical specifications.

The innovative solutions provided, including the real-time adaptation of network topology and proactive management of communication links, demonstrate that the proposal is both technically advanced and feasible. The Spacetime platform’s ability to integrate real-time environmental data and adjust network operations accordingly addresses the BAA's expectations comprehensively.

The proposal leverages existing, mature technologies and emphasizes the potential for integration with both commercial and NASA systems. This use of proven technology reduces risks and supports the feasibility of meeting the BAA’s requirements.

Relevance:

The SEP determined that Aalyria met NASA’s relevancy criteria to meet the study objectives and the Government’s interests and goals. The Offeror’s study addresses the notional study requirements.

Price:

Aalyria’s proposed study price, and all elements thereof, were found to be fair and reasonable, as well as consistent with the work to be performed under the study.

Selection Rationale:

In consideration of the results of Aalyria’s evaluation and consistent with the evaluation criteria and framework, including the relative importance of the evaluation factors as well as the overall adjectival ratings and identified strengths, I have determined that Aalyria would provide value to the Government through completion of its study and is selected for contract award.

Intuitive Machines (Study Area 1: Lunar User Terminal)

Technical Merit:

The Intuitive Machines (IM) proposal for Study Area 1: Lunar User Terminal addresses the vast majority of Lunar User Terminal requirements identified in the BAA, with an emphasis on advancing the high priority Augmented Forward Signal (AFS) receiver and navigation (position, velocity, time estimation) capabilities.

The IM proposal presents an innovative Lunar User Terminal built from flight-proven components and leveraging advanced technologies

Additionally, IM's strategic partnerships, collaborations, further enhance their ability to deliver robust and adaptable solutions that align with NASA's long-term goals for lunar exploration.

The IM proposal thoroughly addressed the Lunar User Terminal requirements specified in the BAA. These include critical areas such as the development of a multi-channel AFS receiver and a communications transceiver capable of supporting a wide variety of modulation schemes, ensuring compliance with the LunaNet architecture specifications and providing reliable and resilient capabilities. The proposal places strong emphasis on meeting the high-priority requirements that are essential for lunar operations, including leveraging emerging LunaNet communication and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services to enable successful lunar operations. By integrating flight-proven components , the proposal effectively reduces risks and ensures compliance with technical requirements.

The Intuitive Machines proposal strongly aligns with NASA's larger and long-term objectives by focusing on sustainable, scalable, and reliable communication and navigation solutions for lunar exploration. The emphasis on developing compliant, tested, and proven technologies further strengthens their alignment with NASA’s strategic goals for a sustained lunar presence.

Relevance:

The SEP determined that Intuitive Machines met NASA’s relevancy criteria to meet the study objectives and the Government’s interests and goals. The Offeror’s study addresses the notional study requirements.

Price:

Intuitive Machines’ proposed study price, and all elements thereof, were found to be fair and reasonable, as well as consistent with the work to be performed under the study.

Selection Rationale:

In consideration of the results of Intuitive Machines’ evaluation and consistent with the evaluation criteria and framework, including the relative importance of the evaluation factors as well as the overall adjectival ratings and identified strengths, I have determined that Intuitive Machines would provide value to the Government through completion of its study and is selected for contract award.

Summary

This CIS Capability Studies program aims to pinpoint future technology needs and foster innovation by involving the community in shaping the future of space communication and navigation. This will enable CIS in the critical process of guiding NASA in setting the standards and developing the technologies necessary for an interoperable space communication system from Earth to the Moon and beyond. I believe the findings from this study, supported by the outstanding entities recognized in this selection statement, will significantly propel NASA’s commercialization objectives forward.

X___________________________________ Ruma Das Source Selection Authority

Ruma Das Digitally signed by Ruma Das Date: 2024.09.12 13:15:50 -04'00'