JPL Avionics Reference Bus Compute Element (RBCE) Assemblies Request for Information (RFI)

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is seeking responses to a call to fabricate and assemble the engineering model (EM) of the Avionics Reference Bus Compute Element (RBCE) assemblies based on heritage designs from the Mars Science Laboratory mission.

The purpose of this request is to determine the interest of potential proposers in competing for the fabrication and assembly of Avionics Reference Bus Compute Element (RBCE) as well as seeking a potential future partner in developing the JPL Reference Bus Hardware Product Line.

DESCRIPTION: The RBCE assembly is composed of the following nine (9) circuit card assemblies (CCAs): a power converter unit (CEPCU1), two critical relay controllers (CRCC-1, CRCC-2), one '3u RAD750 V3' single-board spacecraft flight computer (SFC_V3), two serial interface assemblies (SIAs), one telecom interface (TIF), one nonvolatile memory (NVM), and one compute element backplane (CEBP).

JPL WILL PROVIDE:
• The Printed Wiring Board (PWB) drawings, parts list, Gerber files, and other documentation required to support the fabrications of the CCAs
• The PWBs for the CCAs
• The Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) parts and connectors for the CCA assembly
• The assembly drawings, material lists, and other documentation required to support the fabrication and assembly of the frames
• The assembly drawing, material list, and other documentation required to support the fabrication and assembly of the chassis
• List of applicable Quality Clauses (QCs)
• Workmanship requirements
• List of Mandatory Inspection Points (MIPs)
• Nominal Ground Support Equipment (GSE) including test software and test procedure
• Test Engineering Support

THE TASK INCLUDES:
Providing management support during the process:
• Providing formal fabrication and assembly documents and travelers
• Performing board level functional test including safe-to-mate, Initial-Power-Turn-ON (IPTO) and a Go/No-go test. The final verification and validation and environmental tests will be done at JPL after the delivery
• Procuring necessary handling and alignmeUnt fixtures and tooling for the assembly process
• Procuring shipping containers for each completed CCAs and chassis for transportation back to JPL. Shipping containers shall be standard flight hardware containers with Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) wraps and moulding
• Fabrication and Assembly of:
1. TIF: Telecom Interface board, 1 CCA
2. SIA: System Interface and Assembly board, 2 CCAs
3. NVM: Non-Volatile Memory board, 1 CCA
4. CEPCU1: Compute Element Power Converter Unit, 1 CCA
5. CRCC: Critical Relay Controller Card, 2 CCAs
6. CEBP: Compute Element Back Plane board, 1 CCA
7. Mechanical card frames for the above 8 CCAs
8. Box Chassis, assembled (1x)

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: JPL is anticipating that the following mandatory qualifications will be incorporated, in order for a prospective source to be considered qualified, and thereby, eligible for award: Meet the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Size Standard Code 334418; (1) Have a minimum business base of fifty (50) full-time employees employed over the past twelve (12) months in labor categories of similar nature to those required by JPL in the Specimen Contract; (2) Financial qualification evidence of having financial resources capable of making a payroll of fifty (50) employees (of a similar nature to those being proposed for this effort) for six (6) months; (3) Possess a robust timekeeping/billing system capable of electronic invoicing; (4) Key Personnel Operations Manager must have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in Engineering or Physics with at least ten (10) years experience. Requires a minimum of five (5) years management experience and a background in supporting NASA programs.

RESPONSE DEADLINE: Please submit your expression of interest and any applicable information by July 15, 2019 to Mary Helen Ruiz, maryhelen.ruiz@jpl.nasa.gov or (818) 354-7532.

DISCLAIMER: Prospective subcontractors are advised that any additional information you provide shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data. It is emphasized that the requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in furnishing this information.

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