GOSWIFT Test Pod

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for the Geometry Optimization and Sensing with Integration and Flight Test (GOSWIFT) effort. The acquisition is a 100% Small Business set-aside. The government is procuring the design, manufacture, and delivery of an aerodynamic test pod that maintains the Outer Mold Line (OML) of a standard centerline 610-gallon external fuel tank used on an F-15D aircraft. The pod will support aerodynamic and flight test activities and provide internal volume for instrumentation.

• Design, manufacture, and deliver an aerodynamic test pod conforming to NASA's design.

• Pod must maintain the OML of a standard centerline 610-gallon external fuel tank.

• Pod must support aerodynamic and flight test activities.

• Pod must provide internal volume for instrumentation and test equipment.

• Collaboration with NASA's program engineering team is required.

• Contract type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) for CLINs 0001 and 0003. Time & Materials (T&M) for CLIN 0002.

• Period of Performance: Approximately 14 months from contract award.

• Estimated Value: Not specified, but CLINs 0001 and 0003 are "To Be Proposed" (TBP). CLIN 0002 is "Not to exceed (NTE) determined by the Government".

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 2, 2026, 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time.

• Submission Method: Via email to jennifer.schnarr@nasa.gov and tanjanica.s.jackson@nasa.gov.

• Evaluation Process: Price Performance Trade-Off (PPTO). Factors include Technical Acceptability, Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Approach: Evaluated on a pass/fail basis (Acceptable/Unacceptable).

• Past Performance: Assessed for relevancy and quality.

• Price: Evaluated for CLINs 0001 and 0003.

• Quote must be held firm for 150 calendar days.

• 100% Small Business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 336413

• Size Standard: 1,250 employees.

• Offerors must state their size status.

• This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• Offerors are cautioned that "parroting" requirements is not sufficient; detailed rationale demonstrating capability is required.

• The government intends to evaluate quotes and award without discussions or negotiations.

• Delivery Location: NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA.

• Attachments referenced include SOW (Attachment 1) and Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 2).

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

To design, manufacture, and deliver an aerodynamic test pod that maintains the Outer Mold Line (OML) of a standard centerline 610-gallon external fuel tank for use on the F-15D aircraft. The pod will support aerodynamic and flight test activities while accommodating internal instrumentation and test equipment.

• Provide engineering support, manufacturability analysis, fabrication, assembly, inspection, and delivery of at least one flight-ready aerodynamic test pod conforming to NASA-provided design.

• Design and fabricate a ground handling cart for storage, maintenance, and upload of the test article to the F-15D.

• Perform loads and stress analysis on the ground cart to ensure positive structural margins.

• Collaborate with NASA's engineering team to ensure the design is manufacturable within schedule constraints.

• Deliver one flight-ready pod (with an option for up to two additional pods) and complete documentation packages.

• Test Article: One flight-ready aerodynamic test pod (option for two more).

• Ground Handling Cart: Design and fabrication of a cart to support the pod.

• Documentation: Electronic data package including programmatic and engineering deliverables, reports, and manuals.

• Materials: Primary structure from aerospace-grade 7050-T3511 and 6061-T6 aluminum and 17-4PH Stainless steel. Critical parts to be manufactured as one solid piece.

• Quality Assurance: Maintain a documented Quality Management System compliant with AS9100D.

Approximately 14 months from contract award.

Continental United States (CONUS).

• Kick-Off Meeting: Within 5 days of award.

• Preliminary Design Review (PDR): Within 5 days of award.

• Critical Design Review (CDR): 60 days after PDR.

• Test article and ground cart fabrication complete: 14 months after award.

• Test article and ground cart delivery to NASA AFRC: 5 days after acceptance review.

• All fasteners must be Mil-spec certified.

• No shims or welding to be used.

• Interior surfaces must have sharp edges removed.

• Contractor must permit NASA technical staff access during manufacturing.

• Ground handling cart must adhere to NASA-STD-5005D and support 4000 lb capacity.

• Export control regulations (EAR/ITAR) must be complied with.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire for Solicitation No. 80AFRC26Q0006, "Geometry Optimization and Sensing with Integration and Flight Test (GOSWIFT)". Its purpose is to gather information on the contractor's past performance quality from previous customers. This information is required by the Request for Quote (RFQ) No. 80AFRC26Q0006 to help the government assess Offerors.

• The questionnaire requests details about the project title, contract number, total project value, Offeror's role (prime or subcontractor), and contract type.
• It asks for a description of the project's scope of work or a copy of the applicable Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).
• It includes a rating scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) with definitions for evaluating contractor performance across quality, schedule, management, and an optional 'Other' category.
• Space is provided for an "Evaluator's narrative" for each category and an overall assessment.
• It also includes fields for additional information and the evaluator's contact details, role, and length of involvement.

Potential bidders must ensure their previous customers complete and submit this questionnaire. The responses will be used by the government as part of the evaluation process for this solicitation. Bidders should provide this form to their relevant past performance references and ensure it is submitted by the deadline. The deadline for submission is June 2, 2026, by 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time, via email to jennifer.schnarr@nasa.gov and tanjanica.s.jackson@nasa.gov.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, NASA-STD-5005D w/Change 2, is a technical standard for the design and fabrication of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for NASA space flight programs and projects. It establishes uniform engineering and technical requirements for processes, procedures, practices, and methods endorsed by NASA.

• Scope: Defines the purpose and applicability of the standard, including tailoring provisions.
• Applicable Documents: Lists government and non-government documents that provide requirements for this standard.
• Acronyms and Definitions: Provides a glossary of terms and abbreviations used throughout the document.
• General Requirements: Covers Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment, system requirements (performance, design life, contamination, access, interfaces), reliability, environmental conditions, documentation, logistics, limited-life items, and quality assurance.
• Design and Fabrication Requirements: Details requirements for structural, mechanical (pneumatics, cryogenics, hypergols, hydrocarbons, hydraulics, ECS), electrical/electronic design, materials, and processes.
• Appendices: Includes information on GSE Identification Colors (Appendix A) and Deliverables (Appendix B), and a list of Reference Documents and Databases (Appendix C).

This standard is crucial for any bidder involved in the design, fabrication, or supply of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for NASA projects. It outlines the specific technical requirements, materials, processes, and quality assurance measures that must be adhered to. Understanding these requirements is essential for developing compliant proposals and delivering acceptable products.