LSSMS RFI FAQ 02212020.pdf

FAQ for NNH20ZDA004L Lunar Surface Science Mobility System (LSSMS-1) RFI

Created February 21, 2020

Q1: Here is my idea; what do you think?

A1: RFI responses cannot be received via the Question & Answer exchange. Official RFI responses may only be received per the instructions that are provided in the RFI.

Any communication outside of the official submittal cannot be considered as part of your response. Please read see the full text of the LSSMS RFI for specific instructions on how to respond.

Q2: I am a non-U.S. entity; how can I participate?

A2: The RFI is targeted primarily toward existing or future domestic commercial entities, but that does not preclude non-U.S. responses. NASA will accept RFI responses from any interested parties. Any potential future solicitation(s) would require that proposals be led by U.S. entities in compliance with domestic sourcing regulations, however this does not preclude a foreign entity from participating as a member of a team or partnership that is led by a U.S. entity. To foster the development of teams and partnerships, NASA is posting an Attendee List from the industry forum on the industry forum site at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers.

Q3: I have a technology rather than a system; should I be responding?

A3: The LSSMS RFI primarily calls for system-level concepts as this is expected to have the greatest possible impact on mobility strategies. This emphasis does not preclude responding with information about subsystems or components. Technology-related inputs are welcome, and would be most valuable if provided in the context of mobility system performance and evolution. You may wish to consider whether your technology emphasis alone could influence the overall evolution of mobility systems (such that it would affect the overall strategy) or if your technology would have a greater strategic influence as part of a partnered mobility system.

Q4: What is the range of payload masses that are of interest to LSSMS?

A4: The RFI contains some examples of possible applications and corresponding payload masses. These examples should not be considered an exhaustive list of payload options and if there are niche applications of value outside of these ranges, NASA is interested to hear about them.

Q5: Would NASA be interested in working other federal agencies on lunar surface mobility?

A5: NASA regularly seeks opportunities to collaborate with other federal agencies to achieve shared or related objectives. This RFI is explicitly targeted to U.S. commercial (or future U.S. commercial) respondents. If a respondent is developing UNCLASSIFIED mobility systems and technologies in conjunction with other federal agencies, and is permitted by those agencies to share related information, then NASA would welcome https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers.Q3:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers.Q3:

such responses. Identification of innovative leveraging opportunities including terrestrial mobility is an emphasis of this RFI activity.

Q6: What are the specific payloads, manifests, concepts of operations, and requirements for the LSSMS?

A6: This RFI is primarily intended to identify innovative mobility concepts that may be made available, or may be leveraged, such that a lunar surface science mobility strategy may be developed. Respondents should approach this exercise from a stand-point of what capabilities their mobility concepts would be able to provide, rather than being overly-constrained by specific requirements for applications, payloads, or concepts of operation. The lists of sample applications and characteristics that are shown in the RFI are intended only to convey a sense of scale. As a matter of policy in conducting the RFI, NASA does not comment on the merits or shortcomings of response concepts or features. Respondents should make assumptions about payloads, requirements, and operations that would illustrate the value of their concepts.

For the RFI responses to be most useful to NASA’s strategy development, all relevant assumptions should be written in the response, and should be consistent between technical descriptions and cost/schedule descriptions.

Q6: Where is the FAQ that was logged at the joint LTV/LSSMS industry day event?

A6: That FAQ is published by the event organizers and may be found at:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers.

Questions regarding this FAQ may be directed to Jay Jenkins at jason.e.jenkins@nasa.gov https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-to-industry-send-ideas-for-lunar-rovers mailto:jason.e.jenkins@nasa.gov