Sabatier Catalyst Development

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

To develop, synthesize, and produce a batch of Sabatier catalyst formulation, informed by NASA's Technical Authority Consultant, for use in advanced exploration systems life support. The goal is to address issues of catalyst poisoning from contaminants found on the International Space Station (ISS) and to develop future solutions to prevent catalyst bed poisoning.

• Task 1: Baseline Catalyst Synthesis and Testing: Synthesize 500 cc of a baseline Sabatier catalyst, delivering 400 cc to NASA. Conduct comparative testing of alternate formulations. Determine light-off temperatures and document product compositions under specified conditions. NASA will provide Ruthenium (III) Chloride catalyst precursor.

• Task 2: Literature Search for Alternate Formulations: Identify at least 3 alternate catalyst formulations, with an initial recommendation for one nickel-based formulation, emphasizing enhanced poison resistance.

• Task 3: Alternate Catalyst Production and Testing: Produce approximately 50 cc of selected alternate catalysts and determine light-off temperature and product composition.

• Task 4: Commercial Catalyst Testing: Procure and test 1-2 commercially available methanation catalysts for light-off temperature and product composition.

• Task 5: Catalyst Data Package Development: Create a package including synthesis data, chemical formulation, quality assurance, and synthesis procedures.

• Task 6: Poisoning Tests: Conduct poisoning tests on the baseline and selected alternate/commercial catalysts using specified contaminants (sulfur, silicon, fluorine, carbon) and conditions. Develop a Test Data Package for these results.

• Baseline catalyst formulation and synthesis to be documented and overseen by NASA NESC Technical Authority Consultant.

• Testing to be conducted under specific residence times, molar ratios (H2/CO2), and flow rates as detailed in the document.

• Poisoning tests require establishing equilibrium conditions and measuring product concentrations at specified intervals, with potential increases in contaminant concentrations.

Not explicitly stated, but the work is associated with NASA's Exploration Projects and Integration Office at George C. Marshall Space Flight Center.

• The baseline catalyst will be approximately 20% Ruthenium (Ru) on an Alumina (Al2O3) support, with final specifics defined collaboratively with NASA.
• The vendor will transfer any unused catalyst precursor back to Marshall Space Flight Center.
• Reference to ICES publication AIAA 2013-3528 is recommended for reactor sizing and test configuration.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Sabatier Catalyst Development. The procurement is set aside for small business.

• The solicitation includes a Statement of Work/Bid Schedule (Section 1), Instructions to Offerors (Section 2), Solicitation Provisions/Representations and Certifications (Section 3), Clauses/Terms and Conditions (Section 4), and Quote Evaluation Criteria (Section 5).

• Offerors must include their company's SAM CAGE CODE/UEI on the submitted proposal.

• The NAICS Code for this procurement is 541715.

• Delivery is FOB Destination.

• The contract type is Firm Fixed Price (TBD).

• Quotes are due by 6/25/2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT to Cody Guidry (cody.d.guidry@nasa.gov).

• Quotes may be accepted after the due date if in the best interest of the Government.

• Quotes shall remain valid for 30 days.

• Submitted quotes must list two points of contact (name, phone number, email address).

• Contractual and technical questions must be submitted in writing (email) to Cody Guidry no later than 6/24/2026 by 3:00 p.m. CT. Telephone questions will not be accepted.

• The Government will award the contract to the responsible Offeror whose offer is the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA).

• Offers not deemed technically acceptable will be removed from consideration.

• This procurement is set aside for small business.

• Offerors must be registered at www.sam.gov.

• Several FAR and NFS clauses are incorporated by reference, including those related to System for Award Management, Duty-Free Entry, Place of Manufacture, Personal Identity Verification, Government Property, Export Licenses, and an Ombudsman.