Physics-Informed Particle Impact Ignition Model
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) intends to award a sole-source contract to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the development of a Physics-Informed Particle Impact Ignition Model. This effort, designated as a Special Notice, aims to develop an experimentally calibrated tool (PIIRAT) to predict catastrophic failures via particle impact. Responses from interested organizations are due by March 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CST.
Scope of Work
This procurement covers Phase 4 of the project, focusing on validating and refining the PIIRAT tool. Key objectives include:
- Revising particle ignition, combustion, and target ignition models to incorporate oxygen concentration effects and account for deformable target materials.
- Modifying combustion time and target kindling models to consider spatial variations and multi-particle effects.
- Extending the quantitative risk assessment framework to real-world geometries (e.g., pipe bends, valves, turbine stages) and developing general engineering guidelines for ignition risk.
- Conducting sensitivity analysis on particle size, velocity, and incidence angle.
MIT will provide technical input, review test data, develop predictive models, and contribute to assessment documentation. Performance standards include calibrated model outputs reproducing experimental observables and analysis of transient CFD simulations.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Sole Source)
- Intended Awardee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) (Sole Provider)
- NAICS Code: 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools)
- Product Service Code: AJ12 (General Science And Technology R&D Services; Applied Research)
- Period of Performance: Authority to proceed through March 2027
- Place of Performance: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT gas turbine laboratory, MIT Institute for Solider Nanotechnologies, Cordero Lab)
- Response Due: March 11, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time
- Published Date: March 9, 2026
Evaluation
NASA/NSSC has determined that MIT is the sole provider for this requirement. This notice serves as a market research tool. Capabilities and qualifications submitted by other interested organizations will be evaluated solely to determine if this procurement can be conducted on a competitive basis. A decision not to compete is at the Government's discretion.
Additional Notes
FAR 52.213-4 (Terms and Conditions-Simplified Acquisitions) and NASA Clause 1852.215-84 (Ombudsman) are applicable. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
Primary Point of Contact: Kacey Hickman, Procurement Specialist, kacey.l.hickman@nasa.gov