Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2023 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2023)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters anticipates release of a solicitation, titled “Fission Surface Power Advanced Closed Brayton Convertor (FSP-ACBC) system” as an Appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2023 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2023),” on or about July 7, 2023.  Once the Appendix is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps:

1. Open the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/
2. Select "Solicitations"
3. Select "Open”
4. Select "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2023 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2023) 80HQTR23NOA01”
5. Select “List of Open Program Elements”
6. Select “Fission Surface Power Advanced Closed Brayton Convertor, 80HQTR23NOA01-23TDM-A1"
7. Select “Fission Surface Power Advanced Closed Brayton Convertor, 80HQTR23NOA01-23TDM-A1" under Announcement Documents.

The FSP-ACBC project goals are consistent with Space Policy Directive 6 (SPD-6), which states:

“…demonstrate a fission power system on the surface of the Moon that is scalable to a power range of 40 kWe and higher to support sustained lunar presence and exploration of Mars.”

The intent of this appendix is to push the state of the art in space closed cycle Brayton technology to leverage future higher temperature space reactors and radiators.

All categories of U.S organizations may apply to Appendix 80HQTR23NOA01-23TDM-A1. FSP-ACBC Principal Investigators (PIs), also known as FSP-ACBC Fellows, and team members may be affiliated with any type of U.S organization.  Non-U.S. organizations may partner in, or lead, FSP-ACBC studies on a no-exchange of funds basis, and subject to NASA’s policy on foreign participation (see Section 3.3 of SpaceTech-REDDI-2023).

All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative (AOR).  Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2023 NRA, as well as the Guidebook for Proposers, Revised February 4, 2022/Effective February 18, 2022, https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_guidebook_for_proposers-feb_2022_tagged.pdf.  Potential proposers 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.

Please note that registration in NSPIRES cannot be completed until each applicable institution obtains a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) (previously Data Universal Number (DUNS)) and registers in the System for Award Management (SAM).  Please provide sufficient time to ensure completion of this step prior to the submission deadlines.

All potential Offerors are encouraged to regularly refer to this website for updates and other information relative to this Appendix.  Proposers are encouraged to submit their questions regarding this Appendix to lindsay.k.kaldon@nasa.gov and copy ian.park@nasa.gov.

Attached to this synopsis is a draft version of the solicitation for reference. Although it is important to note that modifications may be made prior to final release, we highly recommend that offerors utilize this draft as part of their preparation for submitting proposals.

Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2023 Appendices. Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to lindsay.k.kaldon@nasa.gov and copy ian.park@nasa.gov.  Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the Appendix; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.