Coriolis Flow Meter Engineering Development Unit for Cryogenic Spaceflight Applications

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This notice indicates NASA/NSSC's intent to issue a sole source contract for the procurement of:

• 1 Coriolis Meter
• 1 Field Mount Transmitter
• 1 9-wire jacketed cable
• 1 certificate of compliance
• Shipping and handling

The government intends to acquire these as commercial items and services under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13.

• The procuring center is NASA/NSSC.

• Performance will be located at NASA/ Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

• The NAICS Code for this procurement is 334516.

• Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to the identified point of contact.

• Submission deadline: Not later than 7 a.m. Central Standard Time on 2/25/2026.

• Submitted capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely to determine if the procurement should be conducted on a competitive basis.

• The determination to compete this effort on a full and open competition basis is at the sole discretion of the government.

• Oral communications are not acceptable.

• This is currently intended as a sole source contract to CHASE SUPPLY, INC. based on FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), as they are determined to be the sole provider.

• NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html.

• Primary Point of Contact: Shanna Patterson, Procurement Specialist, Shanna.l.Patterson@nasa.gov.

Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name

This document recommends soliciting for cryogenic Coriolis flow meters from a single source or a specific brand name due to the unique characteristics and prior investment in technology development. The effort is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/manufacturer, as competition is deemed impractical.

• Development of a Coriolis flow meter prototype for space applications.

• Development of flight EDU Coriolis flow meter units.

• Custom NASA-developed electronics designed to work specifically with Emerson Micro Motion Coriolis flow meter sensors.

• The document references prior contracts with Chase Defense Partners for the development of these flow meters and custom electronics.

• The total estimated cost and period of performance are to be entered in the "Sole Source" or "Brand Name Justification" sections, which are placeholders in the provided text.

• This document is a recommendation for a sole source or brand name acquisition, not a solicitation for proposals.

• Not applicable, as this is a sole source/brand name justification.

• The document highlights that a significant effort was undertaken to identify potential suppliers, including an RFI and an RFQ, which resulted in only one interested vendor (Chase Defense Partners, a distributor of Emerson Micro Motion flow meters).

• The rationale for sole source/brand name is based on the unique characteristics of the Emerson Micro Motion Coriolis flow meter and the substantial investment NASA has made in developing custom electronics specifically for this sensor.

• Using another vendor or brand would hinder NASA's ability to perform cryogenic refueling and transfer operations on-orbit or on planetary bodies, as this technology is identified as a current gap and a strategic technology that is not mature (STMD Shortfall 792).

• Failure to acquire the compatible Emerson Micro Motion flow meter would effectively void the hours and money invested in the custom electronic transmitter development.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The agency requires a flight functional/performance representative Coriolis flow meter engineering development unit (EDU) sensor and transmitter for a research and development effort. The EDU will be used to validate and verify spaceflight hardware requirements.

• Coriolis Flow Meter Sensor:

  • 1/4 inch (DN6), 316L stainless steel tubing
  • B67 Process Connections: #8 316/316L Metal Gasket Face Seal Fitting 1/2-inch 316 NPT female adapter
  • P Case Options: Purge fittings (two 1/2-inch NPT female)
  • R Electronics Interface: 9-wire polyurethane-painted aluminum J-box
  • A Conduit Connections: No gland
  • M Approvals: Micro Motion Standard (no approval, without CE markings)
  • E Language: English installation manual
  • Z Calibration Options: 0.10% mass flow and 0.0005 g/cc density calibration
  • Z Measurement Application Software: None
  • X Factory Options: ETO Product
  • Special Tests and Certificates: Hydrostatic Test Certificate 3.1, Material Inspection Certificate 3.1 (Supplier Lot Traceability per EN 10204), Declaration of Compliance Oxygen Service 2.1, Helium Leak Test Certificate 3.1 (wetted components only).

• Coriolis Flow Meter Transmitter:

  • 5700 field mount transmitter
  • C Mounting: 9-wire remote transmitter with integrated core processor (polyurethane-painted aluminum housing), bracket for wall or pipe mounting, and hardware for 2" pipe mount, includes 10 ft. [3m] 9 wire shielded CFEPS cable.
  • 1 Power: 18 to 100 VDC and 85 to 265 VAC; self-switching.
  • 2 Display: Backlit graphic display for CSA and IIB + H2 ATEX and IECEx ratings.
  • A Output Hardware Board: Configurable Outputs.
  • B Conduit Connections: 1/2-inch NPT - no gland.
  • MA Approvals: Micro Motion Standard (no approval).
  • Z Transmitter Option 1 & 2: Standard.
  • Z Factory Options: Standard product.
  • Output Channel Assignments: Channel A (mA output with HART), Channel B (configurable to mA out, FO, DO), Channels C, D, E (Off).

• Additional Items: One (1) sensor unit, one (1) transmitter, one (1) sensor to transmitter connecting cable of standard length, and one (1) Certificate of Compliance.

• The technical evaluation of the design, manufacturing, assembly, and test effort will take approximately twenty (20) weeks.

• Period of Performance: 20 weeks from award to hardware delivery.

• Place of Performance: NASA Kennedy Space Center, Central Supply, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899.

• The contract is limited to the time necessary to deliver and verify functionality of the unit.