SATPC0032969 Tab 04 4 SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Propulsion Department, Thermal Analysis Branch (ER43), is seeking a vendor to develop, evaluate, and implement innovative mechanical, thermal, and fluid system designs for nuclear thermal propulsion and cryogenic fluid tank system concepts. The scope of this work is to further include design and development activities pertinent to custom instrumentation, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), specialized jigs and fixtures pursuant to the evaluation of related technologies.

The task involves the development, maturation, and evaluation of hardware designs pertinent to a variety of cryogenic fluid management test beds and nuclear thermal propulsion components, with subsequent support of test article construction and operations. This activity includes participation in the design, analysis, modeling and/or empirical assessment of thermally isolating structural supports, insulation systems, thermodynamic vents, vapor cooling systems, reactor components, and test instrumentation. The vendor is further expected to provide insight and recommendations regarding materials selection/utilization and test article construction. Light fabrication and assembly may be necessary to facilitate proof of concept or to demonstrate viability of proposed design solutions. This work is requested in support of the Lunar Lander and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) projects, which have the goals of developing Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) technologies to enable long-term storage of cryogenic propellants in microgravity environments, and maturing nuclear thermal propulsion reactor technology for enabling in-space transportation systems, respectively.

Tasks will include:

• Analyze multi-dimensional thermal mathematical models representation tank structures, forward and aft skirts, nuclear and non-nuclear reactor rod fixtures, and support stands (as required for test article construction and/or testing operations).

• Perform initial design and analysis of thermal isolation support structure concepts for the tank assembly, to minimize the heat leak and allow for measurement/determination of the net support structure conductive heat transfer into the test assembly.

• Perform structural and thermal assessment pertinent to passive insulation systems for cryogenic propellant tank structures.

• Design of non-nuclear reactor rod test facilities

• Support overall design and hardware development, planning and analysis.

• Demonstrate hardware fabrication feasibility of thermal isolation support structures.

Other Requirements:

The task’s base-period activities described herein require a senior-level engineer with one or more advanced degrees and at least 25 years’ experience entailing mechanical and systems design, thermal analysis, cryogenic fluid management systems, cryogenic liquid acquisition devices, cryogenic passive and active thermal systems, nuclear reactor rod designs, composites, materials and processes. Said engineer must also possess a working knowledge of manufacturing processes, as well as hands-on experience as a master machinist. Additional personnel may be assigned/involved in the capacity of subject matter experts, as warranted by specific milestone requirements. Mentoring of additional personnel and/or civil service personnel assigned to NTP and/or other thermal propulsion projects is an implied responsibility for this senior-level engineer.

Access to Redstone Arsenal and MSFC is required to support technical and programmatic meetings and utilize existing MSFC facilities. Participation in project status meetings and technical interchanges is required.

Deliverables and Milestone Dates:

Written monthly status reports. These reports will include problem statements, technical approaches, assumptions, findings and conclusions relevant to each task Memos documenting completion and progress of each phase of the project

Period of Performance:

The period of performance for this effort is 3.5 months from Authorization to Proceed

(ATP).