RIV OR3 RFP Cover Ltr_Final.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771

September 18, 2023

Reply to Attn of: 174.2

TO: All Potential Offerors

SUBJECT: Request for Proposal (RFP), Solicitation No. 80GSFC19R0016 Rev 4 for the

Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV (Rapid IV) On-Ramp III

You are invited to submit a proposal in response to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center’s (GSFC) Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV (Rapid IV) On-Ramp III solicitation. The principal purpose of this requirement is to serve as a rapid and flexible means for the Government to acquire spacecraft and related components, equipment and services in support of NASA missions and/or other Federal Government agencies. Under the contract, Rapid IV contractors offer spacecraft and related services to be purchased via Government placed Delivery Orders (DO). The spacecraft designs, related items and services may be tailored, as needed, to meet the unique needs of each mission. The Statement of Work, Attachment A, describes the scope of the requirement.

The range of possible NASA missions is broad in scope, type, and size. Potential missions (e.g. Landsat Next; Atmosphere Observing System – Polar (AOS-P); Atmosphere Observing System – Incline (AOS-I); NOAA Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program and others are considering using the Rapid IV contract to procure spacecraft. Therefore, the Rapid IV contract seeks heritage spacecraft buses of various sizes, capabilities, lifetimes, orbit use and mission suitability, to be ready to support a variety of mission needs quickly.

The Rapid IV contract includes an “On Ramp” feature, which allows for the original solicitation to be periodically re-opened in order to give new vendors the opportunity to propose flight proven spacecraft designs. On Ramps also give vendors already awarded a Rapid IV contract the opportunity to propose additional flight-proven spacecraft designs and/or update their existing catalog designs.

The award of Rapid IV contracts will be based on the offeror’s ability to meet ten specific technical acceptability standards. Examples of these include: primary responsibility on a minimum of two successful spacecraft developments, and spacecraft designs with both a minimum payload mass capability of 7 kilograms and a minimum payload power capability of 20 Watts or greater (i.e., Cubesats to Geosats). Failure to meet these, or any of the technical acceptability standards identified in Section L of the RFP, will be considered a major deficiency. Additionally, Past Performance will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. An Offeror receiving a “fail” rating will not be eligible for contract award.

This acquisition will be conducted as a full and open competition. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 336414 and the small business size standard is 1,250 employees.

This competitive procurement will result in multiple-award, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts, with the ability to issue Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery orders. These Multi-Agency Contracts (MAC) may support other NASA centers and other federal agencies.

The contract(s) will have a Base Period with an effective ordering period to commence on the contract effective date through August 31, 2025 and a one 5-year option period.

The contract will be performed offsite at the Contractor’s facilities and/or any other locations specified in the delivery order. The Government will make available existing Government Furnished Property (GFP) for offsite use, if available at the delivery order level.

In order to control and protect sensitive data owned by both the Government and Government Contractors, it is now Goddard Center policy that all procurement-related documents be released in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Offerors shall be aware that while the Attachments (J & K) and CDRL 1 Enclosure 1 included in the RFP are in PDF format; the Offeror’s proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall include the completed Attachments J and K and CDRL 1 Enclosure 1 in Microsoft Office Excel format.

Instructions for converting from PDF format to Excel format can be found in the Section L.20 Proposal Preparation – General Instructions provision. Offerors are encouraged to complete the conversion from PDF format to Excel format upon receipt of the RFP. Should any issues arise with the conversion, please contact the undersigned.

All documents related to this procurement, including this letter, the solicitation, attachments, exhibits, enclosures, and any amendments will be attainable electronically from the World Wide Web through the he Government-wide point of entry website at www.SAM.gov.

Potential offerors are requested to periodically monitor the website for updates.

NASA Far Supplement (NFS) Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The current installation Ombudsman can be found at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate- Listing.pdf.

Offerors are encouraged to refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision 52.215- 1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS–COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION, in particular paragraph (f)(4) which discusses the Government’s right to award a contract without discussions. This RFP does not commit NASA GSFC to pay any proposal preparation costs, nor does it obligate NASA GSFC to procure or contract for these services. This request shall not be construed as authorization to proceed with or be paid for charges incurred by performing any of the work called for in this solicitation.

Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall be due no later than 4:00 pm eastern time October 31, 2023. Be advised, in accordance with Provision L.21, Offerors need to http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf encourage their references to submit their Spacecraft Verification Questionnaires directly to the Contracting Officer 2 weeks prior to proposal due date.

Below is a list of the Source Selection Authority (SSA) and voting members along with their associated NASA organizational codes, for the Source Evaluation Board (SEB). The names provided are for informational purposes only and these individuals shall not be contacted regarding this procurement. The Government may change personnel associated with this acquisition at its discretion.

SSA

Cathleen M. Richardson, Code 400, Director of Flight Projects

Voting Members Malcom Milan, Code 401.1, Source Evaluation Board Chairperson Jerry Mason, Code 401.1 Jesse Lewis, AST, Code 425

Offerors are reminded that a “Blackout Notice” for this procurement was distributed to all applicable NASA GSFC personnel concurrently with the release of the RFP to Industry.

Therefore, all communications pertaining to this procurement shall be directed only to the Contracting Officer listed below.

All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing, electronically to Cynthia White, Contracting Officer, at Cynthia.L.White@nasa.gov on or before October 13, 2023.

Offerors are encouraged to submit questions as soon as possible for consideration.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Cynthia White Contracting Officer mailto:Cynthia.L.White@nasa.gov