NASA/MSFC has a requirement for the development of a flight technology demonstration of the Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid System (CDRILS) to be flown on the International Space Station (ISS).  Initial work to develop the core technology was performed under Contract 80MSFC18C0045.  The work performed under this contract demonstrated the technology is a viable solution to remove carbon dioxide from spacecraft.  As future exploration missions extend beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), vehicles will require life support systems (LSS) with high reliability and self-sufficiency, as practical opportunities for consumable resupply will not exist.   NASA is investing in technologies that will remove carbon dioxide from the spacecraft atmosphere using less power, volume, and mass over the current systems on the ISS.  An effective life support system must maintain a safe and habitable atmosphere within a spacecraft by removing contaminants while simultaneously maintaining the proper atmospheric composition and cabin pressure. The goal of this effort is to advance the state-of-the-art of carbon dioxide removal required to enable NASA’s human exploration missions.  

The purpose for demonstrations of technologies on ISS in LEO is to gather reliability data in microgravity to ensure functionality for future, long duration exploration missions beyond LEO. The Contractor shall fabricate, test, and deliver a fully functional CDRILS packaged to fit inside an ISS Basic ExPRESS Rack (BER). This flight technology system demonstration will accept cabin air from the ISS and remove the carbon dioxide from the cabin air. The system will measure the amount of carbon dioxide removed to demonstrate if the system meets the expected performance criteria. The Contractor will also perform development, equipment testing, provide related reports, support reviews and analyses, and deliver the CDRILS system for the technology demonstration in support of this effort.  The CDRILS ground development work has demonstrated it meets these criteria.  The next evolution is to build a system to demonstrate performance on the ISS.

NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the research and development services from Honeywell International, Inc. pursuant to the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Cynthia Hubbard at [email protected] not later than 3:00 p.m. CST on May 15, 2024.  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA 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