The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is hereby soliciting information about potential sources for dedicated or rideshare launch services, or a combination thereof, for the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission. TROPICS will perform observations of tropical storm activity and will require multiple CubeSats in orbit in order to make frequent observations of storm targets (mean revisit time of 60 minutes; no more than 3-hour coverage gaps). Therefore, 6 to 8 TROPICS CubeSats will be placed in a constellation formation as described in the three scenarios included in the attached document. All of the CubeSats are identical and must be placed into their operational orbit within 60-days (first insertion to final insertion). The launches are anticipated to occur in the calendar year 2020.

Information is requested from all interested parties regarding various approaches in order to determine the appropriate balance of cost, schedule and technical risk along with the appropriate level of competition and small business set-aside opportunities. The launch service shall be capable of delivering the mission via single or multiple launches. TROPICS is a high risk tolerant payload and launch vehicle certification may not apply to launch service procured. Suppliers and partnering organizations must address the approach to meeting the launch constraints.

More detailed information and Response Instructions are included in the attached TROPICS Sources Sought document.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 336414, Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,250 employees.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

All responses shall be submitted via email to Scott Syring ([email protected]) no later than September 4, 2017 at 5:00 pm eastern time. Please reference NNK17ZLS002L in any response.

Bid Protests Not Available