Injection Molded Pressure Bubbles for Spacesuit Helmets

NASA's Shared Services Center intends to award a sole source contract to Three-Dimensional Services, Inc. for injection molded pressure bubbles (protective visors) for spacesuit helmets, with written capability submissions due June 4, 2026 at 1:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. The procurement will proceed under FAR 12.102(a) commercial item acquisition procedures; however, the final determination to proceed as sole source or competitive award remains at the Government's discretion.

Place of performance is Houston, Texas, at NASA Johnson Space Center. Three-Dimensional Services, Inc. is located at 2547 Product Drive, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309-3806. The NAICS code is 332510 (Hardware Manufacturing); PSC is AJ11 (General Science and Technology R&D Services).

The contract covers development and manufacturing of injection-molded Protective Visors for the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit. The vendor must develop an injection mold, build the mold, and deliver 20 prototype visors meeting critical technical requirements: outer dimensions per specification, retainer ring for circumferential retention, critical area of vision (entire area except 60 degrees from zenith to nadir), optical quality with pit/scratch limits (diameter 0.015–0.035 inches, length 0.1–0.15 inches, maximum 3 occurrences with 0.5-inch spacing), haze not exceeding 2 percent per ASTM D1003, minimum 82 percent visible light transmission (380–800 nm), refractive error not exceeding 0.125 diopters, 125 lbs impact resistance over 44 inches during IVA operations, and 2-inch steel ball impact survivability at 1.4 ft/s in microgravity. Performance period is 6 months from Authorize to Proceed. Deliverables include monthly status meetings, mold design presentation, Process Definition and Control Plan with process flow diagrams and standard operating procedures, and hardware with material certifications and inspection records delivered to NASA JSC Building 420 with DD Form 250 and Certificates of Compliance.

Evaluation criteria are Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Interested organizations may submit written capabilities to Cara Craft (cara.s.craft@nasa.gov). NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84 regarding the Ombudsman applies.