Called the NASA Launch Services contracts, the RFP includes medium-light, medium, intermediate and heavy launch vehicles with a performance capability of launching payloads of 3,300 pounds and greater. Traditional examples of vehicles in this performance range are the Athena II, Delta and Atlas class family of expendable launch vehicles.

The NASA Launch Services contracts will span a 10-year period and include an initial mission set of three firm launches with six additional launch options. The contracts also include an IDIQ portion under which up to 60 additional launches can be competed and awarded. If all firm, option and IDIQ launches are awarded, the total value of the NASA Launch Services contracts could exceed five billion dollars.

The NASA Launch Services contracts also contain an "on-ramp" clause under the IDIQ contract portion. This will create an opportunity for new, emerging launch service providers and incumbents to introduce qualified launch vehicles not available at the time of the award of the initial contracts, and to compete for additional launch service requirements not identified as firm or option requirements under the basic contracts.

NASA is soliciting proposals from all interested companies. It is NASA's intent to award multiple IDIQ "task order" contracts that will encompass a broad range of launch vehicles. To be eligible for award of a contract, the potential launch service provider must be a domestic company with at least 51 percent United States ownership. It must also have demonstrated at least one successful launch of at least a 1,500 kilogram (3,315 pound) payload to a 200-kilometer (125 mile) circular orbit at a 28.5 degree inclination.

The launch vehicle to be considered must be a domestic product with a least 51 percent of its components manufactured in the United States. Also, the potential launch service provider and its subcontractors must have ISO 9001 certification.

Proposals are due at the Kennedy Space Center not later than Jan. 7, 2000. The contract awards will be made during the second quarter of 2000.

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