NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) provides opportunities for U-Class payloads, often called nanosatellites, to fly on a ride share basis on upcoming launches. Currently, LSP is seeking to develop alternatives to the rideshare approach and help foster other launch services dedicated to transporting U-Class payloads into orbit. The VCLS contract will acquire a launch service for 60kg of U-Class payloads on a firm fixed price basis.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Potential offerors shall be domestic launch service providers in accordance with 51 USC 50131 Commercial Space Act of 1998. All responsible domestic sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.

The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 336414 - Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and 1,000 employees, respectively.

NASA will hold an Industry Day telecon on May 13, 2015 from 1:30-2:30pm EDT to discuss the VCLS requirement. To participate in the telecon, interested parties shall e-mail the Contracting Officer with the name and title of the attendees no later than May 12, 2015 to receive dial-in instructions.

Potential offerors are invited to submit contractual/technical questions regarding all aspects of the DRFP, including the requirements, schedules, proposal instructions, and evaluation approaches. Potential offerors are also encouraged to identify any areas in the DRFP that are confusing and may warrant additional information or clarification in the final RFP. All questions should reference applicable sections and paragraph numbers. All questions must be submitted to the Contracting Officer Rob Wolfinger via e-mail at [email protected] , no later than May 20, 2015, to ensure consideration by the Government. When responding reference RFP NNK15542801R Venture Class Launch Service (VCLS).

Interested parties should note that submitted questions and the corresponding answers will be posted on the FedBizOpps website prior to or at release of the final RFP. Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer.

This Pre-Solicitation synopsis is not a request for proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. Responses in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this announcement is strictly voluntary.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/p ub_library/Omb.html .

The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World-Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA Business Opportunities page is http://procurement.na sa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin= .

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).

All questions must be submitted in writing to Rob Wolfinger via e-mail at [email protected] . Telephone questions will not be accepted.