NASA has released a draft request for proposals, or RFP, to seek industry support for the design of its Altair lunar lander vehicle, part of NASA's Constellation Program. Altair will deliver four astronauts to the moon's surface late in the next decade, fulfilling U.S. space exploration goals.

The Altair Conceptual Design Contract will define operational concepts, support requirements reviews, and refine design concepts for the Altair vehicle. This document is a draft of the final version of the RFP, expected in late January 2009. By responding to this draft RFP, potential offerors can provide input about possible requirements, small business goals and contract structure. The industry input received will be combined with NASA's expertise for potential inclusion in the final RFP.

A pre-solicitation conference is scheduled for Dec. 18 at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The conference is designed for information sharing about the Altair conceptual design contract with potential offerors.

For a copy of the draft RFP and more information about the conference, visit: http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/altair

For more information about the Constellation Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/constellation

Altair Conceptual Design Contract (ACDC) Pre-Proposal Conference

Date: December 18, 2008

Time: 9:00 AM CDT

Location: Gilruth Center at the NASA Johnson Space Center, Lonestar Room

RSVP by: December 16, 2008

AGENDA

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pre-Proposal Conference

Attendance at the Altair Conceptual Design Contract (ACDC) pre-proposal conference is recommended; however, attendance is neither required nor a pre-requisite for proposal/bid submission and will not be considered in the evaluation. Attendance is limited to three attendees per company.

No verbal questions will be allowed, but you may submit written questions to be answered at a later time.

Please submit names of attendees (including company name, address, and telephone numbers) to Tim A. Boyes at timothy.a.boyes@nasa.gov by COB December 16, 2008. In the e-mail subject line please include "RSVP ACDC Pre-Proposal Conference". Any changes to the time, date, or location of the conference will be posted on the ACDC website http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/altair/.

Directions to Gilruth: https://starport.catertrax.com/images/Gilruth%20Map.pdf

From Bay Area Blvd:

Turn right on Space Center Blvd. and go 2.0 miles. The Gilruth entrance is the second entrance on the right.

From NASA Parkway:

Turn left on Space Center Blvd. and go 0.8 miles. The Gilruth entrance is the second entrance on the left.