RFI-KSC-SSPF-2024 HQS updated 7.29.24.pdf

RFI-KSC-SSPF-2024 Page 1 of 5

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AGENCY

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

FOR SPACE SYSTEMS PROCESSING FACILITY (SSPF)1

RFI-KSC-SSPF-2024

1 Formerly known as “Space Station Processing Facility.”

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Initiating Installation:

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Title:

Request for Information – Use of Space Systems Processing Facility and Associated Facilities

Description:

The KSC Master Plan (https://public.ksc.nasa.gov/masterplan/) addresses both U.S. Government and commercial launch activities at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Periodically, the Center Planning and Development (CPD) Directorate 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 lease of the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) and associated facilities.

The SSPF is a 457,000 sq ft, three-story structure located in the KSC Industrial Area. The SSPF embodies four types of space; 11,400 sq ft of science processing laboratories, 7,726 sq ft of warehousing, 218,078 sq ft of administrative space, and 54,910 sq ft of Class 100,000 Clean Work Area (CWA) flight hardware processing space. The space is dedicated to supporting launch operations, including ground operations, pre-launch integration, checkout, and spacecraft/payload testing.

NASA will only consider uses of the SSPF that involve processing and testing of flight hardware built to operate in, place in, or return from Earth orbit or outer space a payload or human beings (e.g., launch or landing vehicles, payloads, science experiments, etc.). NASA will only consider use of SSPF administrative office space associated with proposed work requiring CWA or laboratory spaces. While four types of space are available in the SSPF, proposals need not utilize all four types of space. The SSPF is capable of accommodating multiple users performing concurrent, discrete activities.

In addition to the SSPF, there are three other facilities that may become available for use: the SSPF Science Annex, the Vapor Containment Facility (VCF) and the Butler Building. The SSPF Science Annex is a 6,500 sq ft Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified Silver facility which provides services that support science payloads (for preflight, in-flight, and post-flight activities;

and flight simulations) associated with the ISS programs. It provides facility space for payload integration and customer support in conjunction with flight and ground control experiments. The Science Annex also provides functional support and housing areas include five science rooms, two of which can be reconfigured to BioSafety Level-2, and an integration preflight housing room. This class 100,000 clean-room aseptic barrier facility is designed to provide 100 percent fresh outside air changes per hour. Each of the five science rooms are independently conditioned to 70-86 +/- 1 °F, with 40-60% RH at +/- 2%RH.

The Vapor Containment Facility (VCF) is a 1,820 sq ft facility located at the east side of the SSPF. It is a reinforced concrete structure designed to house and isolate the equipment used to store and handle liquid anhydrous ammonia (NH3). The Butler Building is 5,044 sq ft of conditioned space used for storing Science Annex equipment/supplies and is available for other uses.

NASA will only consider concepts that further the vision of KSC’s premier spaceport and are compatible with the KSC Master Plan. Space is expected to become available at the end of the International Space Station (ISS) Program. While the facilities identified in this RFI are not expected to become fully available before the end of the ISS Program, NASA seeks to know if an entity would be interested in utilizing any part of these facilities, should they become available prior. A potential lease or outgrant opportunity could include any combination of these lab, hardware processing, administrative or

RFI-KSC-SSPF-2024 Page 3 of 5 warehouse areas. NASA will not consider concepts that propose exclusive use of the SSPF or associated facilities by one user. NASA may consider concepts that propose exclusive use of one of the four types of space but any such use will be of a limited duration. Any responses will be evaluated based on current mission priorities and expected occupancy of the SSPF and associated facilities.

Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify U.S. domestic entities interested in using space in the SSPF and associated facilities, how the facility/facilities 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 use of the SSPF and associated facilities. If NASA enters into any real estate agreement(s) for use of the SSPF and associated facilities, NASA will retain ownership and control of the facility, and will act as the site operator/integrator for the facility and its existing equipment.

NASA seeks to ensure broad awareness and visibility of this RFI. Accordingly, NASA invites any 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.

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.

The SSPF and associated facilities are equipped with electronic security controls that must remain in place.

Responses to this RFI should include the following information:

1. Proposed Use.

The proposed use(s) of the SSPF and associated facilities and any specific requirements.

2. Technical Approach.

Provide the proposed technical approach, including a general end-to-end integrated concept of operations, total occupancy headcount, projected schedule for use of SSPF and associated facilities, any other KSC assets, facilities, or land use needed to support the concept of operations, and frequency and duration for subsequent repeat uses. Include any potential construction and timeframe for proposed development.

Describe the expected launch activity and manifest of any launch/landing vehicle proposed for processing within the facility/facilities, testing (non-launch) activity, and any planned periods of inactivity on the projected schedule for use of the facility/facilities. The technical approach should include all operational aspects from hardware arrival, processing, and testing, through launch and post-launch activities, as well as any planned hazardous operations.

3. Modifications.

Describe any modifications to SSPF and associated facilities that may be required and a timeframe for making such modifications.

Proposed modifications to the SSPF and associated facilities will require NASA review and approval to ensure compatibility with NASA programs and compliance with applicable building codes.

4. Limitations, restrictions, and impacts.

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Describe any limitations, restrictions, and impacts on other occupants of the SSPF and associated facilities, including such effects on other occupants, and any risk mitigation measures to facilitate concurrent uses of the SSPF and associated facilities. Examples: contamination sensitivities, Radio Frequency (RF) susceptibility, hazard clear areas potentially extending into other users’ footprints, etc.

5. Customer base.

Identify the types and total number of commercial and Government customers.

6. Corporate financial capability.

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

7. Prior experience.

Describe experience with integrated spacecraft/launch vehicle pre-launch preparations, launch countdown activity, flight hardware integration and control operations, recovery, and other relevant large-scale projects.

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

Response Instructions:

U. S. entities, including federal and state governmental entities 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 September 6, 2024.

It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose responses or proprietary information obtained through this

RFI.

Respondents are encouraged to limit the amount of Proprietary Data (defined below) included in their response, and only include such information that is necessary to respond to this inquiry. Any Proprietary Data must be clearly marked. For purposes of this RFI, “Proprietary data” means data embodying trade secrets developed at private expense or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential, and that includes a restrictive notice, unless the data is: known or available from other sources without restriction; known, possessed, or developed independently, and without reference to the proprietary data; made available by the owners to others without restriction; or required by law or court order to be disclosed. With respect to such Proprietary Data, NASA shall:

a. Use, disclose, or reproduce such Proprietary Data only as necessary to evaluate the response;

b. Safeguard such Proprietary Data from unauthorized use and disclosure;

c. Allow access to such Proprietary Data only to its employees requiring access for purposes of evaluating the RFI responses;

d. Preclude disclosure outside NASA; and

e. Notify its employees with access about their obligations under this RFI and ensure their compliance.

f. Dispose of such Proprietary Data after evaluation of the RFI has concluded.

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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/facilities 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 or amendments.

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

NASA Points of Contact:

AFP/Partnership Agreements Officer: SSPF/Associate Director for ISS and Exploration:

Christina Williams Kevin Zari 321-867-3912 321-867-5850 Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov Kevin.J.Zari@nasa.gov John F. Kennedy Space Center John F. Kennedy Space Center Center Planning and Development Exploration Research and Technology Programs (UB) Spaceport Planning Office (AD-A) mailto:Christina.L.Williams@nasa.gov mailto:Kevin.J.Zari@nasa.gov