Game Changing Development Program, Ultra-Lightweightcore Materials For Efficient Load-Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures Appendix

Solicitations”4. Select "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2015 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2015) NNH15ZOA001N”5. Select “List of Open Program Elements”6. Select “Game Changing Development (GCD) NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C1”7. Select “Game Changing Development (GCD) NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C1 (ULW Core)” under Announcement DocumentsThe Government plans to conduct a phased acquisition involving a progressive competitive down-selection process (see 1817.7301-5). Competition for subsequent phases will build on the results of the previous phases. Phase I is the Manufacturing Feasibility phase with an expected duration of up to 13 months. Phase II is the Scale-up and Test Article Fabrication phase with an expected duration of up to 18 months.The award criteria for subsequent phases will include demonstrated completion of specified previous phase requirements. The Government expects that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s). Proposals for the subsequent phase(s) will be requested from these contractors. The Government does not intend to issue a new, formal solicitation for subsequent phases(s). Request letters will be issued for each subsequent phase to provide guidance on proposal content and evaluation criteria. Each subsequent phase will be synopsized. Notwithstanding the expectation that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s), proposals from all responsible sources submitted by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for the second phase awards, prospective offerors must demonstrate a design maturity equivalent to that of the prior phase awardees, documentation equivalent to the Phase I requirements, and provide the required Phase I test samples for government testing. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate level of design maturity, provide documentation on the Phase I requirements, and provide acceptable test samples may render the proposal unacceptable with no further consideration for contract award.Appendix NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C1 seeks proposals for the maturation and development of scalable methods to manufacture ultra-lightweight core materials as lower mass alternatives to honeycomb or foam cores in composite sandwich structures.The development of advanced manufacturing techniques has led to the production of lightweight, hierarchical structures with the potential for use as lower mass alternatives to conventional core components in composite sandwich structures. NASA is interested in scaling up manufacturing processes to produce ultra-lightweight core materials that could be used to produce large-scale composite sandwich structures. The envisioned development effort would demonstrate that materials are a cost-effective and lighter weight alternative to conventional core materials. The overall goal of the Appendix is to develop and demonstrate scalable and cost-effective manufacturing approaches to produce ultra-lightweight core materials both as flat panels and curved structures. The resultant structures will have half or less the areal density of conventional honeycomb cores, while retaining equivalent, or better, mechanical properties.All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative (AOR). Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 NRA, as well as the Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) or Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) (Edition May 2014). 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.Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 Appendices.Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to HQ-STMD-GCDC1@mail.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.