Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 (NextSTEP-2) Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement(BAA) Appendix C: Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) Studies

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), titled Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships -2 (NextSTEP-2) Appendix C - Power and Propulsion Element Studies, solicits concept studies in support of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems Division (AES) within the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). NextSTEP-2 is an omnibus covering all aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology for Human Space Exploration and robotic precursor activities. This (draft then final)solicitation issues Appendix - C to this BAA to conduct Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) studies.  This solicitation is open to non-Government US institutions ONLY. 

This NextSTEP Appendix C builds upon prior efforts in flight demonstration and mission use of advanced solar electric propulsion technologies for NASA and other potential partner applications and NextSTEP partnership concept and development efforts. The first appendix under NextSTEP-2, Appendix A, focuses on developing deep space habitation concepts, engineering design and development, and risk reduction efforts leading to a habitation capability in cislunar space. This NextSTEP Appendix C is complimentary to the efforts sought under NextSTEP-2 Appendix A on habitation, and specifically seeks proposals for areas necessitating further study in this timeframe to assist in the development of the PPE concept and approach.

NASA Headquarters will host a NextSTEP-2 Partnership forum for this Appendix at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Interested parties may attend either in person or virtually as well as request One-On-One meetings, in person or virtually, immediately following the forum on August 17th and 18th, 2017.

The date for the forum is August 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Registration is required to attend the forum for both on-site and virtual participation.
Participants are required to register by August 16, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, to participate in the forum and are requested to indicate their interest in a post forum meeting. 
Register at: https://goo.gl/forms/rWw9FGSvmtVrskM83

Key dates:

- DRAFT RFP Comments or Questions Due NLT: August 22, 2017, 5PM EST
- TENTATIVE Final RFP release date: August 30, 2017
- TENTATIVE Proposal Due date: September 26, 2017, 12PM EST 

References:

Additional information on NextSTEP is available at the NextSTEP Website: www.nasa.gov/nextstep

The Appendix C Synopsis (NNH17ZCQ006L-S) can be found at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=4a9a70d396472e75e5ad5bca8f6af881