Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) Synopsis

The purpose of this amendment 1 is to extend the Inactive Date to 3/31/22 and to provide a direct link to the Announcement document.The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), anticipates a release of a Space Technology Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO or Announcement) on or about February 11, 2022. NASA expects a simultaneous release of a sister announcement “Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies.” Once the ACO is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps: Open the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Under Solicitations Select "OPEN" Enter "80HQTR22SOA01” Select Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)   The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to embrace partnerships to achieve its strategic

goals for expanding capabilities and opportunities in space. STMD has formulated a strategic framework to ensure American global leadership in space technology. The framework consists of four strategic thrusts, representing the capabilities needed for robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These thrusts represent major lines of investment within STMD's portfolio that are expected to have major impacts on space through 2040 and beyond. The strategic thrusts are:Go – Enable rapid, safe, and efficient space transportationLand – Enable expanded access to diverse surface destinationsLive – Enable sustainable living and working farther from EarthExplore – Enable transformative missions and discoveriesThis strategic framework provides context and enables a trace from overarching trends, through high level goals, to topics, and the specific technical challenges that individual projects must address.The following Topics are anticipated for this Announcement. It is required that the proposed technology is at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 at the time of initial proposal submittal.Topic 1. Cislunar/Lunar Surface Infrastructure & CapabilitiesTechnologies that support global lunar utilization leading to commercial commodities and services for a robust lunar economy.  Such infrastructure could include examples such as long-distance lunar power distribution; survive and operate during lunar night; in-situ Resource Utilization; lunar communications; autonomous construction.  These examples for lunar surface infrastructure are not limiting and other potential examples are invited to create a robust lunar economy.Topic 2. In-Space Infrastructure & CapabilitiesLow Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) technologies that support additional future services for a growing LEO/GEO economy.  Such infrastructure could include examples such as climate research or service; assembly and manufacturing technologies; distributed autonomy; measurement/observation capabilities; entry, descent, and landing; advanced propulsion.  These examples for LEO/GEO technologies are not limiting and other potential examples are invited to create a robust LEO/GEO economy.STMD is seeking partnerships that will focus on advancing technologies that can benefit both the commercial and government use of space. NASA is seeking to provide technical expertise, facilities, hardware, and software to accelerate the development and availability of these technologies.For this Announcement, STMD will solicit proposals that are led by a U.S. for-profit entity to partner with one or more NASA Centers as a team member(s) to enter into Unfunded Space Act Agreements (SAA) to support the accelerated development and testing of critical technologies for space system capabilities. Please refer to the forthcoming  Announcement for complete eligibility restrictions. Participants should review the SAA terms and conditions provided in the Announcement prior to determining whether to submit an initial proposal; NASA is not anticipating changes to the SAA Template.This release will utilize a two-step proposal submission and evaluation process. The initial step will be a Mini Proposal (i.e., “Project Pitch”). Only those firms submitting the most competitive Mini Proposals will be invited to submit a Final Proposal.All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Registration information and useful information can be found at: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/ under “Help”. Potential participants and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline. Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system for release of this solicitation and any amendments.A Virtual Industry Forum is anticipated about two weeks after the ACO release. Further details concerning the Forum will be provided in the Announcement. Technical, programmatic, and announcement comments and questions must be submitted in writing by e-mail to:  HQ-STMD-ACO@nasaprs.comAny documents related to this announcement will be available by opening the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/  by selecting "Open," then entering "80HQTR22SOA01," and, finally, selecting “Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO).”It is the participant's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the final solicitation and amendments (if any).