CO2 Chamber Services

NASA's Shared Services Center is procuring CO2 chamber services to support the development of the Aerospace Estimation Tool for Hypobaric Exposure Risk (AETHER), a decompression sickness risk estimation tool for space missions. The contractor must provide specialized chamber facilities capable of conducting single-day chamber-based tests with at least three subjects per test, including medical monitoring, ultrasound imaging, and patent foramen ovale assessment during simulated extravehicular activities. Key requirements include recruiting subjects matching NASA's demographic criteria, performing peak aerobic capacity tests, conducting three different test conditions (control, altitude, and +CO2) with 6-hour EVA simulations, and delivering electronic data within 14 days of each test run. The procurement will be evaluated using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method, where offerors must demonstrate they can meet all technical requirements to be considered for award. The original quote submission deadline was September 3, 2025, with contractual and technical questions due by September 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM CT.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing), with no incumbent contractors identified in the available documentation. The contract structure is firm fixed price with the total award value listed as to be determined, though interim milestone payments may be available. The contractor must conduct multiple test runs with at least three subjects per test condition, including a requirement for at least one female participant to complete all three test conditions, and must demonstrate capabilities through pilot testing. Performance will take place in Houston, Texas, with NASA providing equipment loans including ultrasound/doppler equipment, breathing masks, and metabolic analyzers. The procurement supports NASA Johnson Space Center's critical research into decompression sickness risk modeling for future space missions.