This is a modification to the synopsis entitled "Mars Ascent Vehicle Technologies for Development" which was posted on December 1, 2008.
You are hereby notified that the following changes are made:
"Physical limitations for the MAV, supporting mechanisms, thermal control, and the rover are constrained by the cavity between the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) skycrane and the entry shell. The specific dimensions are under evaluation and will be provided as soon as possible. The baseline for the mission architecture is to use the MSL skycrane, but other concepts are acceptable under the RFI.
Novel concepts are desired and will be understood to be proprietary and handled accordingly; allowing contributors to submit their concepts without compromising their competitive advantage. However, the specific portion of the concept that is proprietary shall be clearly labeled so that general concepts can be used for ensuing solicitations."
Based on this modification, the due date for responses for RFI NNC09Z005 is hereby extended until January 30, 2009.
As with the original RFI, the Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this synopsis or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
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/GRC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=22
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of the solicitation and any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any).