X--COMMERCIAL PAYLOAD PROCESSING FOR EAST COAST SPACECRAFT LAUNCHING ONEXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLES LAUNCHING BETWEEN FISCAL YEARS 2010 AND 2013

NASA KSC plans to issue a sole source, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity(IDIQ) contract to Astrotech Space Operations for commercial payload processing supportfor East Coast expendable launch missions launching between Fiscal Years 2011 and 2013. The missions are scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),Florida, on Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) and Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles(EELVs). The IDIQ contract will provide for the issuance of a task order for eachmission during the contract period. The effort will include providing a range ofservices and processing capabilities, including but not limited to the following: advanceplanning, facilities, supplies, commodities, and services necessary for the SpacecraftUsers and Launch Service Contractors (LSC) to perform prelaunch processing of thespacecraft with a third stage and/or payload adapter, and encapsulation/transport of thecompleted payload stacks to the Pad. Detailed requirements will be developed for eachspacecraft to specify the exact facility capability, equipment, and manpower supportrequired. Payload processing generally begins three months prior to the launch date. Itis anticipated that Payload Processing Task Orders (PPTO) for each mission will beawarded 1 year prior to launch. The Occupancy Period is 14 weeks in duration from theInitial Facility Occupancy date as specified in the PPTO to the Facility Departure Date,7 days after the launch. The payload is then transported to CCAFS, mated to the launchvehicle, and launched.Astrotech Space Operations is the only known vendor that can provide the required payloadprocessing services. There will be only one award made for this requirement. This is asole source commercial item acquisition under FAR Part 6.302-1 and FAR Part 12. TheGovernment believes only one responsible source can satisfy the agencys requirements. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.Interested organizations may submit a detailed description of their capabilities andqualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact notlater than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 28, 2009. Suchcapabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determiningwhether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination bythe Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis,based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.This acquisition is unrestricted. The NAICS Code is 531120. The DPAS Rating for thisprocurement is DO-C9. The anticipated release of this RFP is on or about October 30,2009 with responses due not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 16,2009. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.