NASA Eyes ISS Crew Transportation, Rescue Services Contract Award to Boeing

NASA looks to award Boeing a contract to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station in the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018 aboard the Russian-built Soyuz space vehicle in an effort to maximize scientific research on the ISS.

The agency said in a FedBizOpps notice published Tuesday it also considers an option to purchase back-up transportation services from Boeing for three crew members onboard the Soyuz spacecraft in the spring of 2019.

NASA noted that transportation vehicles with two U.S. commercial contractors are still in the developmental phase and that Boeing has exclusive ownership rights to seats on the RSC Energia-made Soyuz spacecraft from 2017 through 2019.

Other services that NASA plans to procure from Boeing include on-orbit rescue services for the planned six-month missions, emergency rescue and post-flight medical support, practical and theoretical training of astronauts for sea-survival and nominal activities and limited cargo services.

NASA issued the presolicitation notice to disclose its requirements and “to determine whether any other potential sources have the current capability to provide these crew transportation services in the needed timeframes.”

The agency asked interested vendors to submit their qualifications and capabilities for crew transportation support and plans to evaluate the submissions to determine whether to hold a competition for such services.

Responses to the notice are due Jan. 27.