NASA/GSFC has a requirement for One (1) Flight Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). A P-POD is a standard deployment system which reduces the satellite development time for Cubesat (miniature satellite) programs. This includes hardware design and development and P-POD testing. The P-POD must be of flight-quality for mission flight. All Interface Control Documents and Test and Analyses Reports must accompany the unit.
NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the item from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Corporation. Cal Poly is the only vendor of flight qualified P-POD's. Cal Poly has unique tooling for the P-POD and it is built with proprietary knowledge, there are no other companies that can provide this equipment. Only a Cal Poly P-POD is acceptable to fly as a secondary payload deployer. The Cal Poly P-POD is one of a kind and is the only equipment which is electrically and mechanically acceptable for his mission. Only Cal Poly is capable of providing a flight qualified unit.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on December 4, 2008. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
