A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster
X - 34
DRAFT 1
(1994)
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
A
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
NOTICE
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster
X - 34
DRAFT
CAN 8-2 Comments Due November 2, 1994
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster
X - 34
A Cooperative Agreement Notice
Soliciting Proposals for a Small Reusable Booster
DRAFT Issued: October 19, 1994
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Program Development Directorate/PAO1
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Reusable Launch Vehicle - Small Reusable Booster: X - 34
The intent of this solicitation is to stimulate the joint
industry/government funded development of a small reusable
booster that has potential application to commercial launch
vehicle capabilities, which will provide significantly
reduced mission costs for placing payloads, in the 1 to 2
klb class, into a low Earth orbit (LEO). The vehicle must
demonstrate technologies applicable to future reusable
launch vehicles. Some of these technologies may be
demonstrated as a part of the basic booster design and some
through test bed application of the booster for
demonstration of alternative technologies. The development
schedule should support test flights beginning in mid 1997,
orbital launch by early 1998, and test bed applications
later in 1998.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is
sponsoring this Cooperative Agreement Notice as part of its
activities in support of the National Space Transportation
Policy. Funding is provided through the Transportation
Division of the Office of Space Access and Technology
(OSAT).
Proposals requiring restrictions on distribution of any
aspect of the completed effort and resulting technology must
include a justification for the restriction and the time
period for which the restriction would apply. It is
important that technology demonstrated from cooperative
agreements resulting from this CAN reside in the public
domain. Excessive use of restrictions on distribution of
the subject technology could result in nonselection of the
proposal.
Proposers should also highlight the offeror's experience and
capabilities in proposed areas and how the experience and
capabilities would be employed in support of this technology
demonstration activity.
Participation in this program is open to all categories of
organizations, both domestic and foreign. Organizations
include industry, educational institutions, nonprofit
organizations, NASA centers, and Federal, state, and local
government agencies. Guidelines for foreign participation
are given in Appendix A, Section 7. Joint proposals that
demonstrate effective, mutually beneficial partnerships or
cooperative arrangements between government, academia, and
industry are encouraged. U.S. Federal Government agencies
who wish to participate will be expected to supply their own
funding.
Proposers shall submit proposals by January 6, 1995. Black-
out conditions will exist upon receipt of proposals for
evaluation. Proposals will be evaluated by peer and/or
technical review committees.
All or part of a proposal may be selected for negotiations
leading to a possible award of a cooperative agreement
unless the offeror requests otherwise. A proposal that is
technically and programmatically meritorious, but that
cannot be accepted because of funding uncertainties, may be
retained for future consideration, should additional funding
become available, unless the offeror requests otherwise.
Evaluation, selection and award may occur during the period
of time from receipt of proposals for evaluation to one year
after issuance date of this CAN.
The following information applies only to this CAN:
CAN Number: CAN 8-2
Submit Proposals to: GP54/Mark R. Stiles CAN 8-2
George C. Marshall Space
Flight Center
Marshall Space Flight Center,
AL 35812
Copies Required: 15, plus 1 reproducible copy,
plus original signed copy
Selection Official: PAO1/James M. McMillion
Director, Program Development
Marshall Space Flight Center,
AL 35812
Obtain additional information from:
Technical: PFO1/John W. Cole
Marshall Space Flight Center,
AL 35812
(205)544-4290
Administrative and Contractual: GP54/Mark Stiles,
Marshall Space Flight Center,
AL 35812
(205)544-0381
Appendix A provides technical description relative to the X-
34. Appendix B contains basic guidance needed for
preparation of solicited proposals in response to this CAN.
Appendix C contains the CAN proposal format to follow. A
Model Cooperative Agreement, Industry Briefing Package with
attendance sheet, Points of Contact at NASA centers and DoD
laboratories/centers, OMB Circular A-110, section 23, and a
Acronyms list are contained in attached Appendices D through
H respectively.
An electronic copy of this Cooperative Agreement Notice
(CAN) is available over the Internet. See instructions on
CAN Internet Access in Appendix A, Section 8.
Your interest and cooperation in participating in this CAN
are appreciated.
Original signed by
Charles E. Henke
Director, Procurement Office
Enclosures
Reusable Launch Vehicle - Small Reusable Booster: X - 34
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Preface ii
Table of Contents iv
Appendix A
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION A-1
1. Introduction A-2
2. Scope A-2
2.1Goal A-3
2.2Objectives A-3
3. Guidelines A-4
4. Resource Sharing A-4
5. Government Budget Information A-5
6. Proposed Deviations A-5
7. Foreign Participation A-5
8. CAN Internet Access A-6
Appendix B
INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO NASA COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT NOTICE B-1
1. Foreword B-2
2. Policy B-2
3. Relationship to Award B-2
4. Conformance to Guidance B-2
5. CAN-Specific Items B-2
6. Proposal Contents B-2
7. Length B-7
8. Joint Proposals B-7
9. Withdrawal B-7
10.
Evaluation Factors B-7
11.
Cancellation of CAN B-8
12.
Schedule B-8
Appendix C CAN
PROPOSAL FORMAT C-1
1. Proposal Format C-2
2. Proposal Cover Page C-3
3. Proposal Summary Form 1 C-4
4. Proposal Summary Form 2 C-5
5. Budget Summary C-6
6. Current And Pending Support C-8
7. Certification C-9
Appendix D
MODEL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT D-1
Appendix E
INDUSTRY BRIEFING PACKAGE E-1
Appendix F
POINTS OF CONTACT F-1
Appendix G OMB
CIRCULAR A-110, SECTION 23 G-1
Appendix H
ACRONYMS H-1
APPENDIX A
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE
SMALL REUSABLE BOOSTER: X - 34
APPENDIX A
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
1.Introduction
The cost of space launch remains a central barrier to the
continued expansion of economic activity into near-earth
space. As a goal, NASA seeks to reduce launch costs to the
customer to $5000 per pound or less, for 1 to 2 klb LEO
class payloads. NASA is therefor interested in supporting
the development of launch technology and operational
concepts that demonstrate significant reductions in launch
costs.
The intent of this NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)
is to stimulate the development of a small reusable booster
that has potential application to commercial launch vehicle
capabilities, which will provide significantly reduced
mission costs for placing payloads, in the 1 to 2 klb class,
into a low Earth orbit (LEO). Consistent with the
development and testing of this small reusable booster,
technologies are to be demonstrated that have application to
future reusable launch vehicle systems. Taken together,
these activities are expected to lead to U.S. economic
growth and the continuing economic development of near-earth
space. The lowering of space launch costs is a goal of NASA
and is supported through the Office of Space Access and
Technology.
The NASA Office of Space Access and Technology conducts
space research and development through sponsorship of
technology programs conducted at the NASA Field Centers, in
United States industry, and in American universities. The
Space Transportation Division supports the Office of Space
Access and Technology's goals by sponsoring the development
of next generation space transportation technologies.
NASA's Space Transportation technology program will
accelerate the development and application of new space
launch technologies and operational concepts to meet NASA's
science and engineering goals and contribute to the
continuing development of the national space launch
industry. The goal of the Space Transportation technology
program is the continued lowering of space access costs to
promote the creation and delivery of new space services and
other activities that will improve economic competitiveness.
The Earth-to-Orbit research and development program is a
component of the Space Transportation Division's program.
As part of this program, NASA is sponsoring this CAN. This
CAN supports NASA's plans to continue lowering the cost of
access to space.
2.Scope
Participation in this program is open to all categories of
organizations, both domestic and foreign. Organizations
include industry, educational institutions, nonprofit
organizations, NASA centers, and Federal, state, and local
government agencies. Joint proposals that demonstrate
effective, mutually beneficial partnerships or cooperative
arrangements between government, academia, and industry are
encouraged. U.S. Federal Government agencies who wish to
participate will be expected to supply their own funding.
Guidelines for foreign participation are given in Section 7
of this appendix.
NASA plans to fund one proposal, but may at it's discretion,
fund multiple proposals under this CAN. Future awards,
under this CAN, are not currently planned.
2.1Goal
The goal of this CAN is to enhance U.S. commercial space
launch competitiveness by:
a.Developing capabilities that significantly reduce
the cost of launching small LEO class payloads.
b.Demonstrating space launch technologies and
operational concepts on a small, operational,
reusable booster.
2.2Objectives
The specific objectives of this CAN are to:
a.Develop a small reusable, or partially reusable
booster that has potential application to commercial
launch capabilities, which reduce launch costs to
the customer to $5000 per pound or less, for 1 to 2
klb class payloads, consistent with the proposer's
assessed commercial LEO market requirements.
b.Demonstrate technologies applicable to future
reusable launch vehicle systems, both through the
development of technologies inherent in the basic
booster design and test bed use of the vehicle to
conduct experiments on other reusable launch vehicle
technologies. These two areas of demonstration are
delineated as follows:
(1)As a part of the basic booster design, the
technologies to be demonstrated may include
composite structures; reusable tanks; reusable
engines; thermal protection systems; vehicle
health monitoring (VHM) systems; automated
ascent, re-entry and landing systems; and
operability concepts. The basic design is not
expected to include new propulsion technologies.
(2)For use as a test bed, the vehicle must be
capable of accommodating alternative technology
experiments, which may include alternative
propulsion systems, combustion chemistry,
alternative thermal protection systems,
alternative avionics, and experiments to provide
flight data to validate hypersonic flight
environments during ascent and re-entry.
c.Develop and demonstrate reusability and operability
concepts that result in significantly reduced launch
costs and rapid processing for re-flight.
d.Begin test flights in mid 1997.
e.Demonstrate, by early 1998, orbital delivery
capability consistent with the proposer's assessed
commercial LEO market requirements.
f.Adapt the vehicle to accommodate alternate reusable
launch vehicle technologies and conduct two test bed
flights of these alternate technologies beginning in
late 1998.
g.Produce flight data to support validation of vehicle
hypersonic flight environments during ascent and re-
entry.
h.Demonstrate that an industry led, joint
industry/government funded partnership can
successfully accomplish the development of a new
launch vehicle within three years and with a fixed
Government funding profile.
i.Facilitate the transfer of new technology and
operational concepts to other U.S. industrial and
Government organizations.
Since the primary goal of this CAN is to promote the
competitiveness of the U.S. space launch industry, all
proposals shall address how their activities will further
this goal.
3.Guidelines
The following should be used as guidelines:
a.Develop two vehicles (including spares, upper stages
and other necessary equipment) to support test flight
schedules.
b.Make innovative use of existing and evolving
technologies.
c.Use industry led industry/government design and
development teams and innovative management concepts.
d.Make effective use of NASA personnel and facilities.
e.Provide adequate performance, cost and schedule margins
throughout the design and development process.
f.Demonstrate effective, mutually beneficial partnerships
or cooperative arrangements between government,
academia and industry.
g.Work with other Federal Agencies (e.g., Department of
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration) to
certify new, commercially developed, space launch
centers; or qualify existing air transportation
infrastructure for space launch activities; as required
by the proposed concept.
4.Resource Sharing
The industry cost sharing contribution is required to match,
as a minimum, the requested NASA funding to be obligated
under the resulting cooperative agreement. Industry cost
sharing may include cash (profit based or venture capital),
Independent Research and Development (IR&D) funds to be
expended in performance of the cooperative agreement, and in-
kind contributions. Industry in-kind contributions are
governed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
110, Section 23, entitled "Cost Sharing or Matching".
Industry's cost share shall not be charged to the Government
under any contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, except
for allocation as part of an IR&D program.
5.Government Budget Information
The expected NASA program funding, in millions of dollars
and by fiscal year (FY), is as follows:
FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 TOTAL
10 30 15 10 5 70
This funding profile is to cover both requested NASA funding
obligated to the proposer(s) under the resulting cooperative
agreement(s) and direct program charges related to
performance of NASA responsibilities (performance of NASA
responsibilities refers to in-kind resources in the form of
labor, facilities, services, etc., made available through
the various NASA centers) specified under the agreement.
Any direct program charges required to perform NASA
responsibilities will be specified in the letters of
commitment provided to proposers.
This information is provided as a guide to the approximate
level of funding available and the industry contribution
need not match this profile.
6.Proposed Deviations
It is anticipated that the terms and conditions of any
resultant cooperative agreement will essentially be the same
as those contained under Appendix E - Model Cooperative
Agreement. The degree of your acceptance of the proposed
clauses will be considered in the evaluation of your
proposal. Proposers shall indicate any clauses which the
proposer is unwilling to accept, state reasons for the
objections, and propose alternate wording, as appropriate.
In the absence of objections to the cooperative agreement
clauses, the proposer shall include a statement of
acceptance.
7.Foreign Participation
For purposes of this program, a company is a U.S. entity 1)
if it is organized and exists under the laws of the United
States and is not otherwise controlled by a foreign entity;
or 2) if it is a U.S. subsidiary of a foreign entity who
propose to carry out all, or substantially all, of the
activities in its proposal within the United States.
All other entities shall be considered foreign entities and
participation of foreign entities is encouraged to the
extent that they are entities organized in, and/or
controlled by, a country which encourages the participation
of U. S. firms in similar cooperative activities funded by
that government.
Each consortia proposal shall indicate whether the proposing
members are U.S. or foreign entities using the above
definitions.
8.CAN Internet Access
A digital copy of this CAN and related documents are
available over the Internet. The documents are in American
Standard Code Information Interchange (ASCII) format and
reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server at the Marshall
Space Flight Center (MSFC), which may be accessed using
client browsers, such as MOSAIC. The WWW address, or (URL),
of the MSFC Procurement home page is:
"http://procure.msfc.nasa.gov".
If you have any problems, ask for help from your system
administrator.
APPENDIX B
INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO NASA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
NOTICE
REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE
SMALL REUSABLE BOOSTER: X - 34
APPENDIX B
INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO NASA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
NOTICE
1.Foreword
NASA depends upon industry, educational institutions, and
other nonprofit organizations for many of its research and
development efforts. While a number of mechanisms have been
developed over the years to inform the research and
development community of those areas in which NASA has
special research interests, the instructions in this
appendix apply only to this Cooperative Agreement Notice. A
NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) permits competitive
selection of projects in accordance with statute, and
preserves some of the traditional concepts and understanding
associated with NASA sponsorship normally solicited by a
NASA Research Announcement (NRA). A CAN also introduces new
concepts for NASA sponsorship.
2.Policy
a.NASA fosters and encourages the submission of proposals
relevant to Agency mission requirements by solicitations
which describe areas of interest to NASA. Proposals
received in response to this CAN will be used only for
evaluation purposes.
b.NASA does not allow a proposal, the contents of which are
not available without restriction from another source, or
any unique ideas submitted in response to the CAN, to be
used as the basis of a solicitation or in negotiation
with other organizations, nor is a pre-award synopsis
published for individual proposals.
c.A solicited proposal that results in a NASA award becomes
part of the record of that transaction and may be
available to the public on specific requests; however,
information or materials that NASA and the awardees
mutually agree to be of a privileged nature will be held
in confidence to the extent permitted by law, including
the Freedom of Information Act.
d.NASA may select only a portion of a proposed application,
in which case the proposer will be given the opportunity
to accept or decline such partial acceptance.
e.NASA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals
received in response to the CAN when such action is
considered in the best interest of the Government.
3.Relationship to Award
A cooperative agreement will be used to accomplish the
effort funded on the basis of a proposal submitted in
response to this CAN.
4.Conformance to Guidance
a.NASA does not have any mandatory forms or formats for
preparation of responses to CANs; however, it is
requested that proposals conform to the procedural and
submission guidelines covered in these instructions, as
well as Appendix C, CAN proposal format. In particular,
NASA may accept proposals without discussion; hence,
proposals should initially be as complete as possible and
be submitted on the proposers' most favorable terms.
b.In order to be considered responsive to the solicitation,
a submission must, at a minimum, present a specific
project within the area delineated by the CAN; contain
sufficient technical and cost information to permit a
meaningful evaluation; be signed by an official
authorized to legally bind the submitting organization;
not merely offer to perform standard services or to just
provide facilities or services; and not significantly
duplicate a more specific, current, or pending NASA
solicitation.
5.CAN-Specific Items
a.Cooperative agreements require substantial involvement by
NASA in performance of the work under the agreement.
This use of NASA Center resources must be negotiated
between the proposer and the effected NASA Center(s)
prior to submission of the proposal and must be verified
with a letter of commitment signed by the respective
Center Director, or his designee. Proposers may make use
of more than one NASA Center. This letter of commitment
shall indicate the resources contributed; including
direct labor, facility usage, other NASA supplied
equipment and services, and direct program charges
related to the performance of NASA responsibilities
specified in the proposal; and shall be included in the
standard prefatory material.
b.Any non-NASA resources included in the proposed effort
costs shall be verified with a letter of commitment
signed by an authorized representative of the resource's
organization(s). This letter of commitment shall
indicate the resources contributed with any conditions
concerning the use of these resources and shall be
included in the standard prefatory material.
6.Proposal Contents
a.The following general information is needed in all
proposals in order to permit consideration in an
objective manner. Each proposal copy shall contain all
submitted material, including a copy of the transmittal
letter if it contains substantive information.
b.The proposals shall have fully completed and signed cover
pages and certifications, in accordance with those given
in Appendix C of this CAN.
c.Proposals are expected to be written concisely in English
to minimize the burden on the reviewers and to facilitate
the overall evaluation process. The total length of the
proposal including cover page, prefatory material,
figures, tables, list of references, etc., shall not
exceed 100 sheets of 8.5" x 11" paper, with a maximum of
52 lines per page (point size 12 or larger, with 1-inch
margins).
Proposals using type smaller than 12 points, compressed
type, or less-than-normal leading (space between lines),
which makes reading difficult may be returned unreviewed.
Review panels will schedule reviews based on 75 pages per
proposal. Proposals longer than 75 pages may be returned
unreviewed.
To facilitate the recycling of shredded proposals after
review, proposals shall be submitted on plain, white paper
only. This precludes the use of cardboard stock, plastic
covers, and colored paper.
d.Transmittal Letter or Prefatory Material
(1)The legal name and address of the organization and
specific division or campus identification, if part
of a larger organization.
(2)A brief project title intelligible to a literate
reader and suitable for use in the public press.
(3)Type of organization; e.g., profit, nonprofit,
educational, small business, minority, women-owned,
etc.
(4)Name and telephone number of the Lead Partner and
business personnel who may be contacted during
evaluation or negotiation.
(5)Identification of any other organizations that are
currently evaluating a proposal for the same effort.
(6)Identification of the specific CAN, by number and
title, to which the proposal is responding.
(7)Dollar amount requested of NASA, desired starting
date, and duration of project.
(8)Date of submission.
(9)Signature of a responsible official or authorized
representative of the organization, or any other
person authorized to legally bind the organization
(unless the signature appears on the proposal
itself).
(10) Letters of commitment.
e.Restriction on Use and Disclosure of Proposal Information
It is NASA policy to use information contained in
proposals for evaluation purposes only. While this
policy does not require that the proposal bear a
restrictive notice, offerors or quoters should, in order
to maximize protection of trade secrets or other
information that is commercial or financial, and
confidential or privileged, place the following notice on
the title page of the proposal and specify the
information subject to the notice by inserting
appropriate identification, such as page numbers, in the
notice. In any event, information (data) contained in
proposals will be protected to the extent permitted by
law; but, NASA assumes no liability for use and/or
disclosure of information not made subject to the notice.
NOTICE
Restriction on Use and Disclosure
of Proposal Information
The information (data) contained in/on [insert page
numbers or other identification] of this proposal
constitutes a trade secret and/or information that
is commercial or financial, and confidential or
privileged. It is furnished to the Government in
confidence with the understanding that it will not,
without permission of the offeror, be used or
disclosed other than for evaluation purposes;
provided, however, that in the event a grant or
cooperative agreement is awarded on the basis of
this proposal, the Government shall have the right
to use and disclose this information (data) to the
extent provided in the grant or cooperative
agreement. This restriction does not limit the
Government's right to use or disclose this
information (data) if obtained from another source
without restriction.
f.Abstract
Include a concise (200-300 words) abstract describing the
proposed effort and the method of approach.
g.Certifications
The following certifications are to be included:
Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements,
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters, and Certification Regarding
Lobbying. Appendix C contains forms for these
certifications.
h.Project Description
(1)The technical section shall contain a brief summary,
followed by a description of the technical content of
the proposed effort, the approach, and the expected
results. Proposals shall include a brief schedule
for the proposed effort, with milestones, payment
milestones, tasks and completion dates. Proposals
shall also include a description of the plan for
transfer of DC-X/A operations experience to the X -
34 operating concept. The summary shall also contain
a description of the business approach for subsequent
commercialization, including the proposer's
assessment of the government and commercial markets
for this capability, the practical effect on current
launch systems and what impact there will be upon
U.S. competitiveness in the space launch area, if
any.
(2)The main body of the proposal shall be a detailed
statement of the work to be undertaken and should
include specific technical objectives and expected
significance; relation to the present state of the
art, relation to previous work done by the proposer
and to related work in progress elsewhere. The
statement should outline the general plan of work,
including the proposed management arrangements and an
adequate description of proposed NASA Center
involvement. The project description should be
prepared in a manner that addresses the evaluation
factors in these instructions and any additional
specific objectives of this CAN. Any substantial
collaboration with organizations or individuals not
referred to in the budget or use of consultants
should be described.
i.Management Approach
For efforts involving interactions among individuals from
more than one organization, plans for dissemination of
responsibilities and any necessary arrangements for
ensuring a coordinated effort should be described. This
shall include a one page outline of the articles of
collaboration. The working relationship with NASA field
centers should be described in this section.
j.Key Personnel
(1)A brief biographical sketch referencing related work
of key personnel shall be included, along with any
exceptional qualifications covering the past 5 years.
The biographical sketch shall not exceed one page per
person.
(2)The Program Manager is responsible for direct
supervision of the work and participates in the
conduct of the project regardless of whether or not
compensation is received under the award. Omit
social security number and other personal items which
do not merit consideration in evaluation of the
proposal. Give similar biographical information on
other senior professional personnel who will be
directly associated with the project. Give the names
and titles of any other engineers and technical
personnel associated substantially with the project
in an advisory capacity. Universities should list
the approximate number of students or other
assistants, together with information as to their
level of academic attainment. Any special industry-
university cooperative arrangements should be
described.
k.Facilities and Equipment
(1)Describe available facilities and major items of
equipment especially adapted or suited to the
proposed project, and any additional major equipment
that will be required. Identify any Government-owned
facilities, industrial plant equipment, or special
tooling that are proposed for use on the project.
(2)Before requesting a major item of capital equipment,
the proposer should determine if sharing or loan of
equipment already within the organization is a
feasible alternative to purchase. Where such
arrangements cannot be made, the proposal should so
state.
(3)Potential respondents should be aware that
regulations require that NASA retain ownership of all
equipment purchased with NASA's contribution to any
cooperative agreements.
l.Proposed Costs/Cost Sharing
In addition to the instructions contained here, proposers
are referred to Appendix C. This appendix, contains a
model format for proposed budgets.
(1)Proposals shall include a clear, descriptive summary
of the cost sharing contributions of both Government
and industry, the basis for value determination of
the proposer's cost sharing contribution to the
program, and evidence of the proposer's capability to
provide the industry cost sharing contribution.
Allowable cost sharing contributions are defined in
Appendix A, Sections 4 and 5.
(2)The budget section of the proposals shall include a
budget breakdown by Government fiscal year (October 1
to September 30) for each year of the proposed work,.
The budget summary shall be presented in the Budget
Summary Form enclosed in Appendix C. The detailed
computations requested in addition to this form will
be used by the Government to evaluate costs as to
reasonableness, allowability, and allocability. The
total budget amount shall also be entered in the
proposal summary pages, as shown in Appendix C.
(3)Direct-labor costs shall be segregated by program
element (e.g., avionics, propulsion) with estimated
hourly or monthly rates, number of months, and total
dollar amounts for each. Indirect costs shall be
explained to an extent that will allow the Government
to understand the basis of the estimates.
(4)Each significant category regarding other costs shall
be detailed, explained, and substantiated. For
example, proposals for equipment purchases shall
specify the type of equipment, number of units, and
unit cost. Requested travel allowances shall include
the destination, number of travelers, number of days,
and the total cost per trip.
(5)Proposals should be made as one volume; do not use
separate "confidential" salary pages. As applicable,
include separate cost estimates for salaries and
wages; fringe benefits; equipment; expendable
materials and supplies; services; domestic and
foreign travel; Automated Data Processing (ADP)
expenses; publication or page charges; consultants;
subcontractors; other miscellaneous identifiable
direct costs; and indirect costs. List salaries and
wages in appropriate organizational categories (e.g.,
program manager, other scientific and engineering
professionals, graduate students, research
assistants, and technicians and other non-
professional personnel). Estimate all work power
data in terms of work-months or fractions of full-
time.
(6)Explanatory notes should accompany the cost proposal
to provide identification and estimated cost of major
capital equipment items to be acquired; purposes,
estimated number and lengths of trips planned; basis
for indirect cost computation (including date of most
recent negotiation and cognizant agency); and
clarification of other items in the cost proposal
that are not self-evident.
m.Project Measurement
The proposal should describe how the project's management
will define, measure and evaluate its own progress toward
project success over the course of the project. The plan
should include a definition of project success that the
Project Lead and Co-Leads will use to guide the effort,
and also include provisions for measuring progress toward
cost savings and reportable innovations for the benefit
of the relevant industry as a whole. Project financial
reporting must be developed to quantitatively track and
report progress during the entire period of the project.
n.Cooperative Agreement Payment Schedule/Milestone
Accomplishments
Proposers shall identify and schedule significant
accomplishments towards achieving the objectives of the
cooperative agreement. These accomplishments will be
referred to as payment milestones. NASA will provide
incremental payments of its contribution upon completion
of these milestones. Payment milestones shall be defined
in terms of accomplishment, date, and amount. Generally,
no more than twelve payment milestones will be required
per year. The first payment milestone must not precede
receipt by NASA of the articles of collaboration
including signed agreements among all parties.
o.Classified Information
Proposals should not contain national-security sensitive
or classified material. However, if the proposed work
requires access to or may generate such information, the
submitter will be required to comply with applicable
Government security regulations.
p.Current and Pending Support
(1)Following the budget section, the proposal shall
contain a summary of current and pending Federal
support of all projects with substantial involvement
of the program manager and each key sub-manager for
whom support is requested. The format appears in
Appendix C. The information content shall include:
source of support, project title with grant or
contract number, award amount by Government fiscal
year, and total award amount, award period, level of
effort in person-months, and the location where the
work is to be performed.
(2)For other current projects being conducted by the
Principal Investigator, provide title of project,
sponsoring agency, and ending date.
q.Special Matters
(1)Include any required statements of environmental
impact of the work, conflict of interest, or on such
other topics as may be required by the nature of the
effort and current statutes, executive orders, or
other current Government-wide guidelines.
(2)Proposers should include a brief description of the
organization, its facilities, and previous work
experience in the field of the proposal. Identify
the cognizant Government audit agency, inspection
agency, and administrative contracting officer, when
applicable.
7.Length
Unless otherwise specified in the CAN, every effort should
be made t o keep proposals as brief as possible,
concentrating on substantive material essential for a
complete understanding of the project. Experience shows
that proposals should not exceed 75 pages.
8.Joint Proposals
The effort contemplated by this CAN may involve joint
efforts among individuals in different organizations or
mutual efforts of more than one organization. Where
multiple organizations are involved, the proposal shall be
submitted by only one of them. In this event, it should
clearly describe the role to be played by the other
organizations and indicate the legal and managerial
arrangements contemplated.
9.Withdrawal
Proposals may be withdrawn by the proposer at any time.
Offerors are requested to notify NASA if the proposal is
funded by another organization or other changed
circumstances which dictate termination of evaluation.
10.Evaluation Factors
Unless otherwise specified in the CAN, the principal
elements (of approximately equal weight) considered in
evaluating a proposal are its relevance to the intent of
this CAN, intrinsic merit, and cost.
a.Evaluation of a proposal's relevance to the intent of
this CAN includes the consideration of the following
factors, which are of equal importance:
(1)Reduction of the cost of launching small LEO class
payloads as compared to existing launch systems for
the same payload class.
(2)Demonstration of space launch technologies and
operational concepts on a small, reusable booster.
b.Evaluation of a proposal's intrinsic merit includes the
consideration of the following factors, none of which
is more important than any other:
(1)Overall technical merit, programmatic soundness,
and business approach of the proposal including
unique and innovative methods, approaches, and
concepts.
(2)The offeror's capabilities, related experience,
facilities, techniques, or unique contributions of
these which are integral factors for achieving the
proposal objectives.
(3)The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of
the proposed program manager, and key personnel who
are critical in achieving the proposal's
objectives.
(4)Overall standing among similar proposals available
for evaluation and/or evaluation against the known
state of the art.
c. Evaluation of a proposal's cost includes the
consideration of the realism and reasonableness of the
proposed cost, the relationship of the proposed cost to
available funds, and the level of cost sharing by the
proposer. The evaluation of cost sharing includes
consideration of the following, in order of importance:
cash, IR&D, and in-kind contributions.
11.Cancellation of CAN
NASA reserves the right to make no awards under this CAN
and, in the absence of program funding or for any other
reason, to cancel this CAN by having a notice published in
the Commerce Business Daily. NASA assumes no liability for
canceling the CAN or for anyone's failure to receive actual
notice of cancellation. Cancellation may be followed by
issuance and synopsis of a revised CAN, since amendment of
the CAN is normally not permitted.
12.Schedule
The schedule for the preparation, review and selection of
proposals for this CAN is as follows:
October 19 , 1994 Industry Briefing and release of draft
CAN
November 15, 1994 Release of final CAN
January 6, 1995 Proposals due
January 31, 1995 Selection announcement
NASA will directly contact both successful and unsuccessful
proposers.
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APPENDIX C
CAN PROPOSAL FORMAT
REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE
SMALL REUSABLE BOOSTER: X - 34
APPENDIX C
CAN PROPOSAL FORMAT
Please prepare your proposal in the following format:
Page Length
Standard Cover Page (see page C-3) 1 Page
Proposal Summary Forms (see pages C-4, C-5) 2 Pages
Budget Summary Form (see pages C-6, C-7) 1 Page per year
plus
1 Page Summary Roll
Up
Additional Detailed Budget Information As Required
Current and Pending Federal Support (see page C-8) 1
Page
Certifications (see pages C-9, C-10, C-11) 3 Pages
Table of Contents 1 Page
1. Project Description
2. Management Approach
3. Key Personnel (Biographical Sketches)
4. Facilities and Equipment
5. Proposed Costs/Cost Sharing
6. Project Measurement
Reminder: proposals shall not exceed 75 pages.
These blanks for NASA use only:
Log No.:
Date Received:
Cooperative Agreement No.:
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster: X - 34
Proposal Cover Page
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Proposal Title
_________________________________________
Program Manager's Signature and Date
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Typed Name and Title of Program Manager
___________________________________________________
Program Manager's Telephone Number with Area Code
___________________________________________________
Name of Organization
_________________________________________
Authorizing Organization Official's Signature and Date
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Authorizing Organization Official's Typed Name and Title
___________________________________________________
Authorizing Organization Official's Telephone Number with
Area Code
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Organization Address, including Postal Code and Country
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster: X - 34
Proposal Summary Form 1
1. Proposal Title:
2. Program Manager's Name, Organization, and Address:
3. References to related work:
4. Abstract: (200 to 300 words-not to be replicated in the
body of the proposal)
Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Small Reusable Booster: X - 34
Proposal Summary Form 2
1. Budget Summary by Federal Government Fiscal Year:
NASA FY: Tot Request:
95: (10/94 -
9/95)
96: (10/95 -
9/96)
97: (10/96 -
9/97)
98: (10/97 -
9/98)
99: (10/98 -
9/99)
2. Funding requested from NASA:
Funding provided by company-led project team:
BUDGET SUMMARY *
From ______________________ To __________________
FOR NASA USE ONLY
A B C
1. Direct Labor
(salaries, wages, __________ __________ __________
fringe benefits)
2. Total Direct Labor __________ __________ __________
Hours
3. Other Direct
Costs:
a. Subcontractors __________ __________ __________
b. Consultants __________ __________ __________
c. Equipment __________ __________ __________
d. Supplies __________ __________ __________
e. Travel __________ __________ __________
f. Other __________ __________ __________
4. Indirect Costs,
Including Percent __________ __________ __________
5. Other Applicable __________ __________ __________
Costs
6. Subtotal __________ __________ __________
7. Less Proposed Cost
Sharing (if any) __________ __________ __________
8. Total Costs __________ __________ __________
9. APPROVED BUDGET XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX __________
* Note: Fill out once for entire proposed effort and fill
out again once for each year of effort on an annual basis
(government fiscal years, e.g., October 1, 1995 to September
30, 1996).
General Instructions
1. Provide a separate budget summary sheet for each year of
the proposed research.
2. Grantee estimated costs should be entered in Column A.
Columns B and C are for NASA use only. Column C represents
the approved grant budget.
3. Provide in attachments to the budget summary the detailed
computations of estimates in each cost category, along with
any narrative explanation required to fully explain proposed
costs.
4. General-purpose, non-technical equipment is not allowable
as a direct cost to NASA grants unless specifically approved
by the grant officer.
5. In connection with indirect cost, provide the name,
address, and telephone number of the Federal agency and
official having cognizance over such matters for the
institution.
Line-by-Line Instructions
1. Direct Labor (salaries, wages and fringe benefits):
Attachments should list number and titles of personnel,
amount of time to be devoted to the grant and hourly rates
of pay.
2. Total Direct Labor Hours: Show total number of estimated
labor hours required to accomplish the task.
3. Other Direct Costs:
a. Subcontractors - Attachments should describe the work
to be subcontracted, estimated amount, recipient (if known),
and the reason for subcontracting this effort.
b. Consultants - Identify consultants to be used, why they
are necessary, time to be spent on the project, and rates of
pay (not to exceed the equivalent of the daily rate for GS-
18 in Federal service: $429 per day as of January 12, 1992,
excluding expenses and indirect cost).
c. Equipment - List separately and explain the need for
items of equipment exceeding $1,000. Describe the basis for
the estimated cost.
d. Supplies - Provide general categories of needed
supplies, the method of acquisition, estimated cost, and the
basis for the estimate.
e. Travel - List proposed trips individually, describe
their purpose in relation to the grant, provide dates,
destination, and number of travelers where known, and
explain how the cost for each was derived.
f. Other - Enter the total of any other direct costs not
covered by 3a through 3e. Attach an itemized list
explaining the need for each item and the basis for the
estimate.
4. Indirect Costs: Identify indirect cost rate(s) and
base(s) as approved by the cognizant Federal agency,
including the effective period of the rate. If unproved
rates are used, explain why and include the computational
basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding
allocation base for each rate.
5. Other Applicable Costs: Enter the total of any other
applicable costs. Attach an itemized list explaining the
need for each item and the basis for the estimate.
6. Subtotal -- Estimate Costs: Enter the sum of items 1,
3.a, through 3.f, 4, and 5.
7. Less Proposed Cost Sharing (if any): Enter the amount
proposed if any. If cost sharing is based on specific cost
items, identify each item and amount in attachment.
8. Total Estimate Costs: Enter the total after subtracting
item 7 from item 6.
9. Approved Budget: NASA use only.
LIST CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT
FROM ALL OTHER SOURCES
This list should include all current research support from
all other sources. It must include the proposed project and
all other research requiring a part or portion of the time
of the Principal Investigator and other senior personnel.
The number of person-months must be stated regardless of the
source of the support. Please provide this information in
the following form:
I. Name of Program Manager
A. Current Support
B. Pending Proposals (including renewal applications)
List separately for (A) and (B):
(1) Source of Support
(2) Project Title and Short Abstract
(3) Award Amount
(4) Period Covered by Award
(5) Person-Months
(6) Location where activity is/will be performed
II. Names of other key personnel
List (A) and (B) as shown above for each senior Co-
Investigator.
III. Other agencies to which the proposal, or parts thereof,
has been submitted.
Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
Grantees Other Than Individuals
____________________________________________________________
This certification is required by the regulations
implementing the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, 34 (CFR)
Part 85, Subpart F. The regulations, published in the
January 31, 1989 Federal Register, require certification by
grantees, prior to award, that they will maintain a drug-
free workplace. The certification set out below is a
material representation of fact upon which reliance will be
placed when the agency determines to award the grant. False
certification or violation of the certification shall be
grounds for suspension of payments, suspension or
termination of grants, or government wide suspension or
debarment (see 34 CFR Part 85, Sections 85.615 and 85.620).
This grantee certifies that it will provide a drug-free
workplace by:
(a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that
the unlawful manufacture, dissemination dispensing,
possession or use of a controlled substance is
prohibited in the grantee's workplace and specifying
the actions that will be taken against employees for
violation of such prohibition;
(b) Establishing a drug-free awareness program to
inform employees about -
(1) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace.
(2) The grantee's policy of maintaining a drug-free
workplace.
(3) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation,
and employee assistance programs.
(4) The penalties that may be imposed upon
employees for drug abuse violations in the
workplace.
(c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be
engaged in the performance of the grant be given a copy
of the statement required by paragraph (a).
(d) Notifying the employee in the statement required
by paragraph (a) that as a condition of employment
under the grant, the employee will -
(1) Abide by the terms of the statement.
(2) Notify the employer of any criminal drug
statute conviction for a violation occurring in the
workplace no later than five days after such
conviction.
(e) Notifying the agency within ten days after
receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2) from an
employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such
conviction.
(f) Taking one of the following actions, within 30
days of receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2),
with respect to any employee who is so convicted -
(1) Taking appropriate personnel action against
such an employee, up to and including termination;
or
(2) Requiring such employee to participate
satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or
rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by
a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement,
or other appropriate agency.
(g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain
a drug-free workplace through implementation of
paragraph (a), (b), (c), (e), and (f).
____________________________________________________________
Organization Name ()PR/Award Number or Project Name
____________________________________________________________
Name and Title of Authorized Representative
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Signature Date
ED 80-0004
Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters
Primary Covered Transactions
____________________________________________________________
_
This certification is required by the regulations
implementing Executive Order 12549, Debarment and
Suspension, 34 CFR Part 85, Section 85.510, Participant's
responsibilities. The regulations were published as Part
VII of the May 26, 1988 Federal Register (pages 19160-
19211). Copies of the regulation may be obtained by
contacting the U.S. Department of Education, Grants and
Contracts Service, 400 Maryland Avenue, S. W. (Room 3633 GSA
Regional Office Building No. 3), Washington, DC 20202-4725,
telephone (202) 732-2505.
(1) The prospective primary participant certifies to the
best of its knowledge and belief, that it and its
principals:
(a) Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed
for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily
excluded from covered transactions by any Federal
department or agency.
(b) Have not within a three-year period preceding this
proposal been convicted of or had a civil judgment
rendered against them for commission of fraud or a
criminal offense in connection with obtaining,
attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal,
State, or local) transaction or contract under a public
transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust
statues or commission of embezzlement theft, forgery,
bribery, falsification or destruction of records,
making false statements, or receiving stolen property.
(c) Are not presently indicted for or otherwise
criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity
(Federal, State or local) with commission of any of the
offenses enumerated in paragraph (1)(b) of this
certification.
(d) Have not within three-year period preceding this
application/proposal had one or more public
transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated for
cause or default.
(2) Where the prospective primary participant is unable
to certify to any of the statements in this
certification, such prospective participant shall attach
an explanation to this proposal.
____________________________________________________________
Organization Name PR/Award Number or Project Name
____________________________________________________________
Name and Title of Authorized Representative
____________________________________________________________
Signature Date
ED Form GCS-008 (REV.12/88)
CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING
Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative
Agreements
The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her
knowledge and belief, that:
(1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be
paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress
in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan,
the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the
extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative
agreement.
(2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have
been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or
attempting to influence an officer or employee of any
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in
connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or
cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and
submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report
Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.
(3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this
certification be included in the award documents for all sub-
awards at all tiers (including subcontracts, sub-grants, and
contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements)
and that all shall certify and disclose accordingly.
This certification is a material representation of fact upon
which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or
entered into. Submission of this certification is a
prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction
imposed by Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code. Any person
who fails to file the required certification shall be
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000, and not
more than $100,000 for each such failure.
____________________________________________________________
Signature and Date
____________________________________________________________
Name and Title of Authorized Representative
____________________________________________________________
Organization Name
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APPENDIX H
ACRONYMS
ADP Automated Data Processing
ASCII American Standard Code Information Interchange
CAN Cooperative Agreement Notice
CFR (page 10)
Co-P Co-Partner
FY Fiscal Year
IR&D Independent Research and Development
klb Kilo-pound
LEO Low Earth Orbit
LP Lead Partner
MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NRA NASA Research Announcement
OMB Office of Management and Business
OSAT Office of Space Access and Transportation
PR (page 10)
URL (page 6)
VHM Vehicle Health Monitoring
WWW World Wide Web