Request for Information (RFI): Power Supply for an Arc-Heated Test Facility

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is interested in replacing an existing high-voltage, direct-current power supply system for an arc-heated test facility.  The system will replace an existing DC power source used by NASA to power research facilities consisting of electric-arc plasma gas heaters, (arc jets).  The concept of operations for the new equipment will be close to the existing process and procedures.  As such the new power supply will necessarily need to interface into the existing facility equipment and its operations.  NASA will consider improvements to the existing processes in order to obtain enhanced safety, lower operating costs, greater reliability, more availability, and better accuracy.  

Based upon the operating characteristics and ranges described, NASA Ames solicits input from industry and others regarding the potential elements and costs associated with such a system. NASA Ames prefers to understand from industry how these requirements could be met using equipment that, while not necessarily off-the-shelf, would not require engineering “from-the-ground-up” to deliver an operational system.

Please review the attached detailed description information and provide answers to the seven (7) questions at the end of the attachment. Responses to questions #1-6 shall be submitted no later than March 31, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific, and the response to the budgetary question (question #7) shall be submitted no later than April 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific. The responses for questions #1-6 shall not exceed ten (10) pages.  There is no page limit for question #7.

This RFI is issued for the purpose of developing a viable solicitation that will best communicate NASA Ames’s requirements to industry. The requested information is for planning purposes only and does NOT constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment by the NASA Ames of direct or indirect cost or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this RFI. NASA Ames shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Proprietary information will be safe guarded in accordance with the applicable NASA Ames regulations.  Formal notices will be posted on www.sam.gov/.

All comments or questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted electronically via email to Erik Whitehill at erik.c.whitehill@nasa.gov. The attachment is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Therefore, responders must request access to the attachment within Sam.gov. If access is not granted within two (2) business days, please follow up via e-mail with Erik Whitehill at erik.c.whitehill@nasa.gov.  The Government may request additional information prior granting access to the attachment and reserves the right to deny access to the attachment.

When responding reference “Request for Information – Power Supply for an Arc-Heated Test Facility.”