Injection Molded Pressure Bubbles for Spacesuit Helmets

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

The objective of this contract is to execute the development and manufacturing of the xEMU Protective Visor using an injection molded system.

• Feasibility: Evaluate the ability to manufacture the required size/shape of the Protective Visor and recommend design changes if needed to improve manufacturability.

• Mold Design and Surface Properties: Evaluate effective mold design and required surface properties. Post machining should be minimized, and all chamfers, fillets, and rounds should be molded, not post-machined.

• Manufacturing: Build the mold for the Protective Visor and then build 20 highest quality prototypes of the Protective Visor.

• Outer Dimensions: The xPGS Protective Visor shall follow the outer dimensions as listed in Figure 3.

• PV Retainer: The xPGS Protective Visor should include a retainer ring for circumferential retention.

• Critical Area of Vision: The helmet assembly minimum critical area shall be the entire area except 60 degrees measuring from the zenith edge of the neck ring towards the nadir edge of the neck ring.

• Optical Quality: Imperfections in the critical area of vision should be limited by specified parameters (Table 1).

• Haze: Haze in critical and noncritical areas should not exceed 2 percent.

• Visible Light Transmission: Transmittance percentage in the visible light spectrum shall be a minimum of 82%.

• Refractive Power: Refractive error in the critical area of vision should not exceed +/- 0.125 D (TBD).

• IVA Contact Load: The Protective Visor should be acceptable for nominal EVA operations after an impact during IVA operations of 125 lbs over a 4"x4" area.

• Micro-Gravity Impact: The Protective Visor should not fail catastrophically following impact with a 2-inch diameter steel ball under specified micro-gravity conditions.

• Period of Performance: All products shall be delivered by 6 months from the Agreement to Proceed (ATP).

• Place of Performance: Hardware delivery is to NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.

• Deliverables: Monthly status meetings (PowerPoint presentation), Mold design presentation (PowerPoint), Process Definition and Control Plan (including Process Flow Diagram and SOPs/Work Instructions), and 20 Protective Visors with an Acceptance Data Package (material certifications, inspection records).

• Shipping Requirements: Hardware delivered as Class III to NASA, with specific information required on a DD Form 250.

• Quality Requirements: Supplier shall provide a Certificate of Compliance (C of C) with each shipment.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This notice indicates NASA/NSSC's intent to issue a sole source contract for Injection Molded Pressure Bubbles for Spacesuit Helmets. The government intends to acquire these as commercial items. The procuring center is NASA/NSSC, with performance located at NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC).

• Injection Molded Pressure Bubbles for Spacesuit Helmets.

• The contract is intended to be sole source to THREE-DIMENSIONAL SERVICES, INC.

• Authority cited is FAR 12.102(a).

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

• Deadline for submission: Not later than 1:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on 6/4/2026.

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

• Oral communications are not acceptable.

• This is currently intended as a sole source procurement.

• NAICS Code: 332510.

• NASA FAR Supplement Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. Information on the Center Ombudsman can be found at the provided link.

• Primary Point of Contact: Cara Craft (cara.s.craft@nasa.gov).