NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA), entitled Human Exploration Research Opportunities (HERO)-2013, will solicit applied research in support of NASA's Human Research Program (HRP). On or about July 30, 2013, the NRA will be available electronically through NSPIRES by going to http://nspires.nasaprs.com The HRP contains six Elements: Space Radiation, Human Health and Countermeasures, Exploration Medical Capability, Behavioral Health and Performance, Space Human Factors and Habitability, and International Space Station Medical Project. Fourteen disciplines or areas support the Program: Behavioral Health and Performance, Bone, Cardiovascular, Extravehicular Activity, Immunology, Medical Capabilities, Muscle, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Radiation, Sensorimotor, Advanced Food Technology, Advanced Environmental Health, and Space Human Factors Engineering. The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is a non-profit organization competitively selected by NASA that uses an integrated team approach to advance biomedical research and countermeasure development. NSBRI works in close partnership with the HRP through a Cooperative Agreement. The NRA will cover all aspects of research to provide human health and performance countermeasures, knowledge, technologies, and tools to enable safe, reliable, and productive human space exploration, and to ensure safe and productive human spaceflight. Awards generally range from under $100K per year for focused, limited efforts (e.g., data analysis) to $450K per year for extensive activities (e.g., development of scientific hardware). The funds available for awards in each program element offered in the NRA range from less than one to several million dollars, which allow selection from a few to as many as a dozen proposals depending on the program objectives and the submission of proposals of merit. Awards will be made as grants. The period of performance for an award will be one to five years. Any changes or modifications to any of these guidelines will be specified in the descriptions of the relevant program elements in the solicited research response area appendices of this solicitation. Details of the solicited program elements will be given in the solicited research response area appendices of the NRA. Most program elements will use a two-step proposal submission process though some program elements may use a one-step submission process. Proposals that do not conform to the standards outlined in the solicitation will be declared noncompliant and will be handled in accordance with the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/5228-41.htm#52_235-72 ). Proposal due dates are given in the NRA, which will be posted at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . Interested proposers should monitor http://nspires.nasaprs.com/or subscribe to the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) electronic notifications system through their NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) account subscription services for additional new program elements or amendments to the NRA through July 2014, at which time release of a subsequent HERO NRA is planned. All categories of United States (U.S.) institutions are eligible to submit proposals in response to the NRA. Principal Investigators may collaborate with universities, Federal Government laboratories, the private sector, and state and local government laboratories. In all such arrangements, the applying entity is expected to be responsible for administering the project according to the management approach presented in the proposal. NASA's policy is to conduct research with non-U.S. organizations on a cooperative, no exchange-of-funds basis. Electronically submitted Notices of Intent to propose are requested. Proposal due dates will be staggered throughout the HERO open period of July 30, 2013 to July 2014. The first proposal due date is September 4, 2013. The electronic submission of each proposal's Cover Page/Proposal Summary/Budget Summary is required by the due date for proposal submission. This is a broad agency announcement as specified in FAR 6.102 (d) (2). Notwithstanding the posting of this opportunity at FedBizOpps.gov, Grants.gov, or at both sites, NASA reserves the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each proposal selected pursuant to this announcement. Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Dana Altmon-Cary Contracting Officer BH2: B20 281-483-8228 dana.altmon-cary-1@nasa.gov Obtain additional programmatic information on HRP from: Mark Shelhamer, Sc.D. Chief Scientist Human Research Program 281-244-7330 mark.j.shelhamer@nasa.gov Obtain additional programmatic information on NSBRI from: Graham Scott, Ph.D. Vice President and Institute Associate Director National Space Biomedical Research Institute 713-798-7227 Graham.Scott@bcm.edu
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