collaboration continuation with U Tex

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA NSSC) has issued a Special Notice announcing a sole source procurement for continued collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin. The notice pertains to a specific research and development project focused on engineered microbial strains for biomanufacturing lactic acid and polylactic acid. NASA intends to directly negotiate with UT Austin based on their previous work in the B-SURE Program, which developed proprietary genetically modified organisms with high radiation tolerance. The procurement will be conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 12 and 13 for commercial items and services, with a NAICS code of 611310 for Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools. The agency has classified this as a sole source requirement due to the university's unique capabilities.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to continue NASA's research into developing microbial hosts (E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and P. pastoris) for producing lactic acid and converting it to polylactic acid for 3D printing applications. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to Procurement Specialist Shanna Patterson by 7 a.m. CST on February 18, 2025. The project involves a 12-month performance period ending September 30, 2025, with specific research tasks including genetic engineering to enhance lactic acid biosynthesis, evaluating engineered strains using specific feedstock, and scaling up production in bioreactor settings. Contractors should note that NASA reserves the right to determine whether to conduct this as a competitive procurement based on responses received. Eligibility is essentially limited to the University of Texas at Austin, given the sole source justification based on their prior proprietary research and development of radiation-tolerant microbial strains.