Study contract for fluid quick disconnectors

NASA's Shared Services Center is seeking a small business contractor to conduct a 6-month study on Gateway Quick Disconnect Couplings (GQDC) for the Gateway space station's thermal control system. The study will focus on developing a conceptual design for a fluid quick disconnect coupling with three flow passages that improves upon the International Space Station's existing Fluid Quick Disconnect Coupling, specifically reducing mass while ensuring compatibility with NOVEC-7200 coolant and meeting stringent technical specifications for temperature range, leakage, and pressure requirements. The contract requires four main deliverables including a project kickoff meeting, a GQDC design approach report, an assessment of GQDC production capabilities, and a final technical interchange meeting. NASA will evaluate proposals using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, where offers must demonstrate the ability to meet all solicitation requirements satisfactorily or be deemed unacceptable. The solicitation is posted under NAICS code 541330 for Engineering Services, with quotes due by September 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM CT to the designated contracting officer.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses under the Total Small Business set-aside program, and offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with proper representations and certifications completed. No current incumbents or contractors are identified in the solicitation materials, and no specific award values or budget ranges are disclosed in the available documentation. The study contract is structured as a 6-month effort, though NASA anticipates potential future needs for multiple GQDC units across initial and future Gateway modules, including flight modules, spares, and ground support equipment. Performance will take place in Houston, Texas, and while this study contract does not guarantee selection for future flight hardware procurement, it will provide critical insights to inform NASA's decision-making process for the Gateway program's thermal control system component development. The solicitation emphasizes that offerors must provide two points of contact and complete all required provisions related to telecommunications equipment and business certifications.