Europa Clipper Launch Service   2

NASA/KSC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the following Commercial item/services: Europa Clipper (EC) Launch Service. Europa Clipper will conduct a detailed survey of Jupiter's moon Europa to determine whether the icy moon could harbor conditions suitable for life. Europa Clipper will explore Europa and investigate its habitability utilizing a set of five remote sensing instruments that cover the spectrum from thermal emission through the ultraviolet, four in-situ fields and particles instruments, a two-channel radar, and a gravity science investigation. Key mission objectives will be to produce high-resolution images of Europa's surface, determine its composition, look for signs of recent or ongoing activity, measure the thickness of the icy shell, search for subsurface lakes, and determine the depth and salinity of Europa's ocean. The Europa Clipper launch service will include the launch vehicle (LV), ground support facilities and equipment, test hardware and software, and all launch services required to integrate the payload to the launch vehicle and deliver the Spacecraft (SC) to its required orbit.

Europa Clipper will be launched during a 21-day launch period beginning October 10, 2024 and ending on October 30, 2024. The proposed launch service for the Europa Clipper mission shall be capable of delivering at a minimum, a 6065 kg Europa Clipper SC with Mars-Earth-Gravity-Assist (MEGA) trajectory characteristics as follows: C3 value of 41.69km2/sec2 and a DLA range of 30-32 degrees. Europa Clipper is classified as a Class A payload, pursuant to NASA Procedural Requirements 8705.4 Risk Classification for NASA Payloads. The launch vehicle must meet Category 3 certification requirements per NPD 8610.7D Launch Services Risk Mitigation Policy prior to launch. In accordance with NPD 8610.7D, an offeror-proposed common launch vehicle configuration shall have a minimum of three (minimum two consecutive) successful flights prior to launch of Europa Clipper.

The NAICS Code is 336414 and Size Standard is 1,250 employees.

The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about March 1, 2021 with an anticipated proposal due date on or about April 14, 2021. The firm date for the receipt of proposals will be stated in the RFP.

Potential offerors shall be domestic launch service providers in accordance with 51 USC 50131 Commercial Space Act of 1998 . All responsible domestic sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.

A draft Launch Service Interface Requirements Document (LSRID) is available to domestic launch service providers capable of meeting Europa Clipper's requirements. Draft LSIRD requests must be submitted in writing (e-mail) to Jennifer O'Neill (jdoneill@mail.nasa.gov).

Domestic launch service providers capable of meeting Europa Clipper's requirements will be able to request a teleconference with the Government to review the draft LSIRD and submit questions to the Government during the teleconference. Teleconference requests must be submitted in writing (e-mail) to Jennifer O'Neill (jdoneill@mail.nasa.gov) no later than February 8, 2021.

This Notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract. Moreover, the Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this notice, nor will the Government reimburse a potential offeror for any costs incurred to prepare responses to this request.

NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf. The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available on beta.sam.gov unless specified otherwise.

Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer by the closing response date of this synopsis, February 17, 2021. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor beta.sam.gov for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EXPORT CONTROLLED DOCUMENTATION:

The draft LSIRD has been designated as Export Administration Regulations (EAR) controlled, and will not be posted to beta.sam.gov. Review NFS 1852.237-72 Access to Sensitive Information, https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/NFS.pdf, and NID 1600.55 for further guidance and requirements pertaining to EAR. Upon receipt of these documents you shall not transfer to foreign nationals in the U.S. or abroad without specific approval of a knowledgeable NASA export control official, and/or unless an export license or license exemption is obtained/available from the United States Department of Commerce. Violations of these regulations are punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.

Background
The Source Selection Statement for Europa Clipper Launch Service provides an overview of the contract, stating that NASA has attempted to accommodate commercial business practices and methods employed by industry in the development of this solicitation. It includes provisions related to the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and launch service interface requirements, compliance documents, submission of certified cost or pricing data, and government insight and approval.

Work Details
The contract requires the Contractor to provide all services, facilities, and resources necessary to perform the Europa Clipper launch service in compliance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Exhibits, and Documents attached. It includes details on the launch service tasks such as launch timing capabilities, mechanical/electrical fit check, payload fairing specifications, flight instrumentation, post mission maneuvers, program management functions, formal reviews including program reviews and design reviews.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the contract is from October 10, 2024 to October 30, 2024. The work schedule includes activities from ATP through Launch + 3 months.

Place of Performance
The geographic location(s) for the contract performance are not explicitly provided in the solicitation.