Advanced Guidance, Navigation, & Control- Technology Development and Analysis Services III (AGN&C-TDAS III)”

NASA/JSC Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (AFMD) has a requirement for engineering design, development, integration, test, analysis, verification and validation, certification, and spaceflight support activities within the areas of Guidance Navigation & Control (GN&C) systems, integrated avionics systems, and autonomous flight operations.

Support under this effort will include research, development, and integration of GN&C and avionics technologies, components, and systems.  The scope includes, but is not limited to, the definition, design, analysis, production, testing, verification and validation, certification, and operation of GN&C and avionics systems and associated hardware and software elements for surface, atmospheric, and spaceflight applications.  These systems may be fully autonomous, remotely operated, piloted by onboard crew, or a combination of those options.  The requirements may involve the modification or upgrade of GN&C and avionics technologies, elements, or systems associated with historical or ongoing NASA projects, programs, and missions.

NASA/JSC intends to issue a sole-source contract to acquire the GN&C services from Charles Stark Draper Laboratories, Inc. (Draper) under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, due to their extensive theoretical and applied GN&C knowledge base, proven research, and development capabilities for innovative GN&C and avionics hardware and software.  This effort is a follow-on acquisition to the current Advanced GN&C Technology Development and Analysis Services Contract (NNJ16HK08B), which expires on 3/31/2021.  Draper Laboratories has pioneered achievements for NASA through their design and integration expertise in complex GN&C systems for Human Space Flight (HSF).  Over the last 50 years, Draper has continuously performed mission critical roles in the design, development, analysis, integration, testing, operation, and sustaining engineering of NASA’s manned vehicles including Apollo and Space Shuttle.  Draper possesses the demonstrated ability to combine the lessons learned from heritage aerospace designs and flight experience with cutting edge technology and “out-of-the-box” thinking to rapidly conceptualize, develop, validate, implement, and evolve innovative and practical solutions to complex GN&C related space flight challenges including real-time on-orbit anomaly resolution.  Draper has provided essential support for the development, integration and testing of the GN&C software and hardware for the Crew Module of the MPCV Program Orion vehicle for the EFT-1 flight. Draper possesses the skills, experience, tools, and algorithms essential for the development and integration of the GN&C system for the EM-1/2.  Draper also developed the Timeliner software for ISS application and possesses the expertise necessary to efficiently update and sustain the software.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to florence.a.ahadzie@nasa.gov and stacy.g.houston@nasa.gov not later than 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on August 7, 2020.  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.  The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html