INRODES Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA/NSSC) has issued a Special Notice for a Sole Source Requirement related to the INRODES Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) project. The notice indicates NASA's intent to award a contract to Additive Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. (AME) located in Huntsville, Alabama, under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The procurement will be conducted using commercial item procedures and will take place at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The sole source determination is based on AME's unique capabilities in additive manufacturing, specifically their expertise in powder bed fusion components with extremely precise technical requirements. The contract is categorized under NAICS code 336412 for Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing.

Contractors interested in this opportunity must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to the point of contact, Tessa Martinez, by 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on March 28, 2025. The total quoted cost for the project is $248,900, with a planned delivery period ending June 1, 2025. NASA's justification for the sole source procurement emphasizes AME's proprietary methods for powder removal from complex integrated features and their ability to meet stringent technical specifications that other vendors cannot match. The Statement of Work requires AME to fabricate rotating detonation rocket engine components, including combustion chambers and injectors, using powder bed fusion additive manufacturing with strict production and post-processing requirements. Potential contractors must demonstrate an understanding of the technical complexities, including achieving 99.2% material density, removing all powder from channels, and providing comprehensive documentation of the manufacturing process.