HyTEC Phase 2 Sources Sought

NASA/ Glenn Research Center (NASA GRC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC).

NASA GRC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI), and members of the underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for HyTEC. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service Disabled Veteran (SDVOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone
business set-aside based on responses received.

As part of the NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP), the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) Project was established to accelerate the development of small turbofan engine core technologies, culminating in an advanced core ground demonstration in the 2026 timeframe. NASA intends to collaborate with industry in a cost sharing arrangement to accelerate key technologies that can strengthen the U.S. industry’s position on small cores for a future singleaisle aircraft. NASA has identified several key technology areas for this collaboration: High Pressure Compressor (HPC), High Pressure Turbine (HPT), Advanced Materials, Turbofan Power Extraction, and Combustor. The project is separated into two development phases. HyTEC’s first phase will focus on the development of these individual technologies through subsystem or component tests. These efforts will accelerate and mature the needed technologies to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 4-5 by 2023. The second phase intends to integrate TRL 4-5 technologies into a full engine core to demonstrate a functional high power-density small core at TRL 6 no later than 2026. Also, Power Extraction technologies are intended to be demonstrated to some degree at TRL 6 at the same time as the core demonstration.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references.

Additionally, in support of the Executive Order (EO) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, NASA is seeking to advance equity or remove barriers for members of underserved communities related to this requirement. As defined in the EO, Underserved Communities refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of "equity." Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

NASA seeks input in the following areas:
1. To support the requirements identified in this sources sought notification, what barriers or opportunities exist to engage subject matter experts from industry and academia and how can those barriers be overcome? How can underserved communities be leveraged?
2. To support the requirements identified in this sources sought notification, what barriers or opportunities exist to partner with subcontractors that employ members of underserved communities, as defined above?
3. What other recommendations would you make to enhance diversity and inclusion?
4. What should be considered to encourage full participation and contribution of organizations and individuals (e.g., outreach efforts and innovative partnerships) in performance of this requirement?

All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Ashlee Shaw, Contracting Officer, via e-mail at ashlee.b.shaw@nasa.gov no later than 4:00PM EDT on July 15, 2022. Please reference 80GRC022SSN001- HyTEC in any response.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement.

NASA may publicize a listing of respondents in order to facilitate teaming arrangements. Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.

[End of Sources Sought Notice]