RFI_NASA SSC_B-Test Complex_Final Version from SSC SBDO_11_29_23 (003).pdf

Solicitation: SSC-RFI-B/Stand

Agency/Office:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Strategic Business Development Office (AA04)

Location:

Stennis Space Center, MS

Title:

Request for Information – Concepts for Operation and Utilization of the NASA SSC B-Test Complex via an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) Agreement

Description:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential industry interest in and receive feedback for proposed uses for agency propulsion test facilities and other related real property assets located at NASA SSC in Mississippi. This announcement describes NASA assets that are currently, or will be in the future, underutilized due to the conclusion of current projects.

This Request for Information (RFI) concerns the B-Test Complex located within the secured and restricted-access NASA SSC Test Complex that is surrounded by a 125,000-acre acoustical buffer zone. The B-Test Complex consists of approximately 150 acres and is accessible only through SSC’s secured perimeter. Accordingly, NASA procedures and policies regarding badging, background investigation requirements, foreign national access, and unescorted access to controlled areas apply.

The B-Test Complex consists of a dual-position, vertical, static-firing test stand designated the B- 1/B-2 Test Stand. Each test position is capable of static-firing test articles up to 33 ft. in diameter.

Each position can support a maximum dynamic load of 11.0 M-lbf. vertical (up), 8.5 M-lbf vertical (rebound), and 6.0 M-lbf (horizontal) [Note: Current configuration does not support maximum design limits]. The B-1 test position was configured for single engine testing for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) program in the late 1980s. It was last in operation with dual firing positions (B-1A and B-1B) for RS-68 testing in 2021; thus, the capabilities described at the subsystem level reflect configurations specific to that test program. The B-2 test position tested the first stage of the Saturn V Rocket, Main Propulsion Test Article (MPTA) for the Space Shuttle Program, Delta IV Common Booster Core, as well as the Core Stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis Program. The B-2 test position is currently being retrofitted to test the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) for the Artemis Program. The capabilities described at the subsystem level reflect configurations specific to that test program.

The B-1/B-2 Test Stand is currently configured to be supplied with Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH) cryogenic fluids, Gaseous Hydrogen (GH), inert gases, industrial water, and the electrical power necessary for test operations. LH and LOX are supplied to the stands from cryogenic barges and supplied to the B-1 test position from on-stand run tanks (resupply from barge to run tank is possible during test operations for extended duration testing). Additionally, there is a ground-based Vacuum Jacketed (VJ) storage vessel used to supply topping and replenish operations for the B-2 position. GH is provided as a pressurant for the B-1 LH run tank system.

Gaseous Nitrogen (GN) is provided as a pressurant for the B-1 LOX run tank system.

See Attachment A for details and images of the B-Test Complex.

Purpose of this RFI:

The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information on the following:

1. Interest in, and concepts for, operation and utilization of the entire B-Test Complex as defined in this RFI

2. Interest in shared utilization of B-1/B-2 test positions between different partners

3. Interest in occupying the B-1 position in the near term while NASA completes the EUS program testing on the B-2 position

4. Interest in sharing the B1 or B2 test positions with another company

5. Interest in, and concepts for, different uses of the land defined as the B-Test Complex

6. Industry opinions on the timing of offering the B-Test Complex given the NASA EUS program testing in the B-2 position not having a definitive completion date (anticipated completion in late 2025)

Information Sought:

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

• Describe the proposed uses of the B-Test Complex and any known specific requirements (i.e., testing plans, schedule, personnel, etc.). Include discussion if proposed uses are focused only on one position of the B-Test Complex and how the proposed uses would be performed if a different entity occupies the other position of the stand

• Describe the technical approach, including a general concept of operations and projected schedule for proposed uses of the B-Test Complex. Include both expected and projected activity on the proposed schedule.

• Describe any planned or conceptual uses of the land contained within the B-Test Complex

• Discuss any concepts regarding the planned use of support facilities that currently support the B-Test Complex (i.e., High Pressure Industrial Water, High-Pressure Gas Facility, Cryogenic Barge Service, etc.)

• Identify whether the proposed uses would require additional support facilities and/or infrastructure

• Describe any potential infrastructure additions or modifications to the B-Test Complex or nearby NASA roads that may be required to support proposed uses.

• Describe any expected limitations, restrictions, or hazards that may impact organizations within and outside the B-Test Complex including any risk mitigation approaches that may be requested to facilitate concurrent usage by multiple customers within the SSC Test Complex.

Response Instructions:

U.S. entities including commercial, federal, and state organizations, and United States 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 must be received by the NASA Point of Contact no later than 12:00 pm Eastern Time on March 31, 2024.

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 and other laws and regulations.

NASA has no intent to reply to individual responses but reserves the right to conduct follow-up interviews with respondents, if needed.

Additional Information:

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 for use of the B-Test Complex, gauge market interest in the use and operation of the B-Test Complex and determine whether it is in the Government’s best interest to issue a Notice of Availability (NOA) followed by a competitive Announcement for Proposal (AFP) for use or operation of the B-Test Complex.

NASA reserves the right to amend or withdraw this RFI at any time. NASA SSC 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 or amendments to this RFI.

Site Visit:

SSC will make the B-Test Complex available for site visits by appointment. Interested parties should contact the Point of Contact (POC) listed below to schedule a site visit.

When requesting a site visit, interested parties shall submit the following registration information for each of the aforementioned individuals via email to the POCs listed in the Instructions for Responses:

Company Name Each individual’s First and Last Name as it appears on their government-issued ID

E-mail Address Telephone Number (including area code) Citizenship

All interested parties shall proceed to the SSC Visitor Entrance with a valid picture ID (state-issued drivers licenses must be REAL ID Act compliant). Foreign Nationals may be permitted with pre-approved authorization. Please respond early if you feel it is necessary for a foreign national to accompany your team on the site visit, as the process requires 30 days advance notice.

There is no guarantee that the request will be approved.

POC:

Name: Duane Armstrong Title: Manager, Strategic Business Development Office Phone: 228-688-2180 Email: curtis.d.armstrong@nasa.gov

Alternate POC:

Name: Jason Richard Title: Propulsion Test New Business, Strategic Business Development Office Phone: 228-363-4810 Email: jason.a.richard@nasa.gov mailto:curtis.d.armstrong@nasa.gov mailto:jason.a.richard@nasa.gov

Attachment A: B-Test Complex Overview