Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology Synopsis

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters anticipates a release of a solicitation, entitled “Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology” as an Appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) umbrella NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2020 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2020),” on or about September 1, 2020. Once the Appendix is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps:

1.  Open the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/

2.  Select "Solicitations"

3.  Select "Open Solicitations”

4.  Select "Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology 80HQTR20NOA01-20GCD_C1”

The Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is responsible for developing the crosscutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities needed by the agency to achieve its current and future missions. STMD rapidly innovates, develops, demonstrates, and infuses revolutionary, high-payoff technologies through transparent, collaborative partnerships, expanding the boundaries of the aerospace enterprise. STMD employs a merit-based competition model with a portfolio approach, spanning a range of discipline areas and technology readiness levels. The Game Changing Development (GCD) program is a critical element within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The GCD Program focuses on the maturation of critical technologies across the mid-Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), namely TRL 3 through 6. The GCD Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) project is focused on the development of solar arrays and related technologies necessary for sustained presence on the lunar surface circa 2028. This Appendix addresses key technologies associated with the goals of the VSAT project. This Appendix is seeking proposals for the design and development of relocatable lunar surface solar arrays for future missions to the lunar South Pole. NASA is planning a lunar landing near the moon’s South Pole in the 2024 time period, followed by establishment of a lunar base later in the decade. Local power generation will be critically important; solar power is a likely component of any architecture focused on a sustained presence at the South Pole.

This requirement will contain a base and option. The Base requirement will consist of System Design and Analysis with an expected duration of up to 12 months. The Option will consist of Prototype Hardware Build and Test with an expected duration of up to 24 months.

Participation will be open to all categories of U.S. organizations including NASA centers and other government agencies, federally funded research and development centers, educational institutions, industry and nonprofit organizations executed through firm-fixed-price contracts with milestone payments or Inter-/Intra-Agency Agreements. See Appendix section 3.0 for the full list of eligibility requirements/ restrictions.

All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2020 NRA and the Appendix. Potential offerors and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.

The Appendix and any documents related to this procurement will be available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by selecting "Solicitations," then selecting "Open Solicitations," and, finally selecting “Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology.”

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the Appendix and amendments (if any). Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2020 Appendices.