Rental of an Aquarius Reef Base for support of NASA Extreme Environments Mission Operations (NEEMO) and Space Environment Analog for Testing Extravehicular Systems & Training (SEATEST) Missions

NASA/JSC has a requirement for the rental of an undersea laboratory and support services for NASA Extreme Environments Mission Operations (NEEMO) / Space Environment Analog for Testing Extravehicular Systems & Training (SEATEST) missions.  Mission requirements include rental of an undersea habitat facility, training, operations, mission control support, boats, chambers, dive team support, and use of the communication network.  The facility's structure, size, layout, living arrangements, and logistical operations need to closely resemble what crewmembers encounter aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA/JSC intends to purchase the rental of the Aquarius Reef base and associated services from the Florida International University (FIU).

FIU operates the Aquarius Reef Base (ARB) undersea habitat on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  This undersea laboratory is the only operational one in the world that can support NASA’s NEEMO and SEATEST missions.  The Aquarius infrastructure resembles similar conditions to that of human spaceflight.  FIU provides the required services for mission and the rental of undersea habitat.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on March 2, 2020.  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.  The Center Ombudsman of this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html