Biofilm analysis to prevent or manage the biofilm growth in the ISS Water Processor Assembly

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

NASA/NSSC has a requirement for Biofilm analysis to prevent or manage biofilm growth in the ISS Water Processor Assembly. The government intends to acquire Non-Commercial items or services using FAR Part 13 procedures. The procuring center is NASA/ Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

• Biofilm analysis services to prevent or manage biofilm growth.

• The government intends to issue a sole source contract to Montana State University under FAR 12.102(a), as they are determined to be the sole provider.

• Interested organizations may submit capabilities and qualifications in writing.

• Deadline for submissions: 8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on 4/20/2026.

• Submissions will be evaluated solely to determine if the procurement will be conducted on a competitive basis.

• The decision to compete the effort on a full and open competition basis is at the government's discretion.

• Oral communications are not acceptable.

• This notice is for determining if a competitive procurement is warranted; it is not a solicitation for offers.

• NAICS Code: 611310

• NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. A link to the Center Ombudsman listing is provided.

• Primary Point of Contact: Monica Wilson, Procurement Assistant III, monica.d.wilson@nasa.gov

Statement of Work (SOW)

To develop and research biofilm mitigation technology for the International Space Station (ISS) Water Recovery System (WRS) to prevent disruptions caused by biofilm formation in wastewater holding tanks. This research aims to inform future Mars missions.

• Meeting Support & Reporting: Provide technical assistance, participate in meetings, and respond to technical questions.

• Biocide Delivery Assessment: Support engineers in assessing biocide delivery methods.

• Upstream Mitigation - Resin Testing:

  • Assess nutrient removal efficiency and clogging potential in microbially-colonized resin beds.
  • Test resin performance under continuous flow with a microbial load.
  • Utilize existing resin column setups for testing.
  • Deliverable: Report on resin performance with microbial load, addressing nutrient removal and clogging.

• Tank Mitigation - Biocides:

  • Provide a written report of all previous biocide testing.
  • Conduct biocide testing during dormancy periods.
  • Provide consultation on biocide delivery for the ISS WPA architecture.
  • Deliverables: Report on biocide testing combinations and iterations, and top biocide dosing strategy for dormancy.

• Downstream Impacts – Clogging Assays and Critical Aperture Testing:

  • Develop assays to assess suspended biomass in reactor bulk fluid and effluent.
  • Address biofilm capture and growth on downstream apertures (filters, tubing).
  • Test filters and mesh of varying sizes to simulate WPA components.
  • Deliverable: Testing and development of assays for biofilm mitigation impacts on downstream components.

• Period: February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

• Place: Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717.

• Involves research into nutrient removal, biocide effectiveness, and biofilm behavior.

• Requires analysis of microbial load, chemical removal efficiency, and biomass.

• Deliverables include reports, presentations, and potentially publications.