RFI-KSC-LETF-2025 Announcement.pdf

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

AGENCY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

LAUNCH EQUIPMENT TEST FACILITY

RFI-KSC-LETF-2025

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Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Initiating Installation: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Title: Request for Information – Use of Launch Equipment Test Facility

Introduction:

NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the world’s premier spaceport. The KSC Master Plan (https://masterplan.ksc.nasa.gov/) addresses both U.S. Government and commercial launch activities at KSC. Periodically, the Spaceport Development Division conducts market research to seek industry interest on specific aspects of the KSC Master Plan.

This Request for Information (RFI) is soliciting interest for potential utilization of services at KSC by entities interested in using the Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF). NASA is interested in potential operational concepts for partial areas of the facility or the entire facility operations.

The LETF was established in the 1970’s to allow full-scale qualification of Space Shuttle umbilicals and T-0 release mechanisms. The facility test fixtures and supporting systems have been upgraded to support SLS umbilical and component qualification testing. The LETF has the capability to simulate virtually any type of launch vehicle and can perform unique testing for systems, components and hardware to customer specifications with complete instrumentation & data acquisition services. This facility also has multiple fabrication shops capable of performing rapid prototyping and precise manufacturing.

In addition, a list of capabilities available for use are listed here (full details in Attachment A and on this website LETF Capabilities):

The LETF has the capability to test full scale launch hardware, Ground to Flight Umbilical Interface Testing (pneumatic, electrical, instrumentation, cryogenic systems), Vehicle Motion Simulators (VMS) 4-axis, 600 Ton proof-loading test fixture, simulated launch towers, Facility Cryogenic System (liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen capability), Water Flow Test Loop, Vehicle Simulation 2-Axis Motion Fixture, Vehicle Support Post 2-Axis load test fixture, Data Acquisition System, Mobile Instrumentation and Data Acquisition System, Control Room, High Speed / Low Speed Video Systems, Hazardous Gas Detection System, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition System Laboratory, Ground Support Equipment Integration Testbed (GSEITB), Electrical / Instrumentation Cable Fabrication and Mold Shop, Pneumatics Shop, Machine and Weld Shop, and the High Bay area for assembly, integration and localized testing.

Purpose of this RFI:

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain:

1. Aerospace industry interest in unique capabilities and integrated testing services available at the LETF.

2. Proposed operational concepts for partial or entire LETF operational area(s).

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The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify U.S. domestic entities interested in using the LETF and its testing capabilities, how the facility would be utilized as part of an end-to-end concept of operations for launch and processing activities at KSC, and to understand those entities’ requirements.

The information NASA receives in response to this RFI will inform its strategy for future use of the LETF. NASA intends to retain ownership and control of the facility at this time and act as the site operator/integrator for the facility and existing equipment.

NASA seeks to ensure broad awareness and visibility of this RFI. Accordingly, NASA encourages interested U.S. domestic entities, including federal and state governmental entities, and United States Commercial Providers as defined in the Space Commerce Act, 51 U.S.C. § 50101(7), to submit responses to this RFI.

NASA will consider concepts that propose exclusive or multi use services arrangements at the

LETF.

Users of facilities at KSC must comply with NASA and KSC procedures and policies regarding badging, background investigation requirements, foreign national access, and unescorted access to controlled areas.

Information Sought:

Responses to this RFI shall address the following information, as applicable:

1. Proposed Use.

The proposed uses of the LETF capabilities and any general testing requirements.

Discuss any expectations regarding the shared use of common areas within the LETF.

2. Technical Approach.

Provide the proposed technical approach, including general testing parameters and requirements, capabilities needed for use, test deliverables, and projected schedule for use of LETF.

Describe the expected test activity for utilization within the facility, testing (non-launch) activity, and any planned periods of inactivity on the projected schedule of activities at the LETF.

Describe support personnel requirements: Design Engineering, Test Conductor, Procedure Authoring, Technician (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, cable fabrication, pneumatic, cryogenic, welding, heavy equipment operator (forklift, crane, boom-lift, scissor-lift, etc.)), Safety, Quality, Leak Detection, etc.

3. Modifications.

Describe any modifications that may be required and a timeframe for making such modifications.

Proposed modifications to any part of the LETF will require NASA review and approval to ensure compatibility with NASA programs and compliance with applicable building codes.

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4. Limitations, restrictions, and impacts.

Describe any limitations, restrictions, and impacts, including such effects on other LETF occupants, and any risk mitigation measures to facilitate concurrent uses of the LETF.

5. Corporate financial capability.

Provide plan to successfully achieve and sustain the described testing operations and level of financial commitment to implement the proposed technical approach.

6. Prior experience.

Describe experience with integrated spacecraft/launch vehicle pre-launch preparations, integration and testing, and other relevant large-scale shared use projects.

Include descriptions of past experience working in a multi-use facility.

Response Instructions:

U. S. entities, including federal and state agencies, and U.S. Commercial Providers as defined in the Space Commerce Act, 51 U.S.C. section 50101(7), are invited to submit responses to this

RFI.

All responses must be submitted as an electronic file in Portable Document Format (PDF) via email to the NASA Point of Contact identified below.

Responses should not exceed twenty (20) pages. Font should be Times New Roman, size 12.

Responses must be received by the NASA Point of Contact no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on July 11, 2025.

It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose responses or proprietary information obtained through this RFI; therefore, responses should clearly identify such information as proprietary.

NASA will protect such data from public disclosure to the extent permitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other laws and regulations.

Industry Day:

KSC will host an Industry Day on June 18, 2025, allowing interested parties the opportunity to evaluate the facility. Interested parties are required to provide a written request to Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov and include “Industry Day, RFI-KSC-LETF-2025” in the subject line. Information regarding Industry Day will be coordinated upon receipt of written requests.

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Additional Information:

NASA does not intend to reply to individual responses, but reserves the right to conduct additional market research, which may include later communications with respondents. NASA will not provide information concerning or developed in the course of its deliberative process.

NASA requests this information for planning purposes only. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposals, Invitation for Bids, Request for Quotations, or Announcement for Proposals. This RFI is not an offer or commitment by the Government to enter into a contract or other type of agreement. Moreover, the Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI, nor will the Government reimburse respondents for costs incurred to prepare responses to this RFI.

NASA will use the RFI responses to define requirements and gauge market interest in using the facility and determine whether it is in the Government’s best interest to issue a competitive Announcement for Proposals (AFP).

NASA reserves the right to amend or withdraw this RFI at any time. NASA KSC seeks to ensure broad awareness and visibility of this RFI; however, it is each respondent’s responsibility to monitor the SAM.gov website for additional information and amendments, if any.

Please contact Christina Williams if you would like to discuss the opportunity further.

NASA Point of Contact:

AFP/Partnership Agreements Officer:

Christina Williams

(321) 867-3912 Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport Development Division

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Exhibit A Launch Equipment Test Facility Overview

Further detail of capabilities can be found in Attachment A to this RFI and on the website: LETF Capabilities

Capabilities Test Fixtures

Full-scale umbilical and GSE testing with vehicle motion and lift-off simulation.

Vehicle Motion Simulator (2 each)

LN2 and LH2 flow to subject test articles to cryogenic temperatures and pressures that simulate launch processing conditions

600 Ton Proof Load Test Fixture

Component testing using LN2, LH2, GN2, GHe, Water, or hydraulic fluid

Vehicle Support Post Test Fixture

Data acquisition up to 352 channels with recording speeds to 60 million samples per second

Vehicle Stabilizer Test Fixture

Rapid prototype development and testing Water Flow Test Loop PLC / Controls development Cryogenic Component Test Area

Structural testing/proof load testing of lifting hardware, slings, etc., up to 600 tons

Fluids Component Test Bench

Instrumentation services (fixed and portable) Launch Simulation Towers Pyrotechnics testing GSE Integration Test Bed Test Engineering

Support Systems Development Shops & Labs Control Room

Machine Shop Cryogenic System (LN2 & LH2) Weld Shop Pneumatics System (GN2 & GHe) Pneumatics Shop Data Acquisition System Cable Fabrication & Molding Shop Video System (high/low speed/thermal) Electrical Shop Hazardous Gas Detection System Data Acquisition Systems Laboratory Area Warning Light System LETF High Bay & Mechanical Shop Paging & Area Warning

Operational Audio Com System

AC Power

DC Power