NASA to save mission safety contract for women-owned businesses
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By
Nick Wakeman
NASA expects proposals next week for a safety and mission assurance contract that is reserved for women-owned small businesses.
Proposals are due next week for a NASA contract that supports the space agency’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance.
The contract is known as SETS for SM&A Engineering and Technical Services.
Only women-owned small businesses can bid for the contract covering a wide range of services including record management, outreach, event support and training and professional development.
Deltek estimates the contract has a value of $42.3 million. Proposals are due April 29. Banner Quality Management Inc. and Ares Corp. are the two incumbents, while Banner Quality Management is the only woman-owned small business of the pair.
In solicitation documents, NASA said it would evaluate proposals on three factors: Mission Suitability, Cost, and Relevant Experience and Past Performance. Mission suitability will carry the most weight when picking a winner. Cost and past performance/relevant experience are all equal.
A good mission suitability score will depend on demonstrating an overall understanding of the requirements, the management plan, and the technical approach to a sample task order.
NASA expects the contract to be awarded in August with a transition completed in September. A majority of work will take place at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. and National Safety Center in Cleveland.