The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 (S. 3729) identified Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as a “multi-user launch complex for Government and commercial” operations.  The KSC team has been working since then to meet the challenge of transforming the center.  The dedicated civil servant and contractor workforce has been refurbishing and repurposing Kennedy’s institutional facilities and infrastructure, and honing and growing its technological skills to capably service Government and commercial users and their ambitious new missions.
 
To accommodate the new way of doing business, KSC’s Center Planning and Development (CPD) Directorate was formed to facilitate this transition and make it a reality. CPD serves as KSC’s “front door” to industry, academia, and other government organizations interested in exploring cooperative opportunities.

Q. How do I partner with KSC?

A:  KSC can partner with organizations from government, industry and academia.There are several ways to partner with KSC:

  • In response to a Public Announcement:  KSC uses various types of public announcements to communicate information about available assets.  These formal communications, including Announcement for Proposal (AFP), Request for Information (RFI), and Notice of Availability (NOA), can be found on the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website (https://sam.gov/content/opportunities), and the NASA Acquisition Internet Service website (https://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgibin/nais/index.cgi ).
  • Online Request Form:  From any page on this website, there is a link to submit an online inquiry, question or request: Interest Request Form
  • Email:  Inquiries, questions, or request for more information  can be sent to  KSC-Partnerships@mail.nasa.gov

Q:  What type of partnership agreements are available with KSC, and how long does the partnerships process take?

A: KSC uses a variety of partnership agreements that are based on the needs of both the partner and the Center.  While some requirements are standard for all agreements, every partnership agreement has its unique nuances and is customized to accommodate the goals of the partner.  Each partner works with a KSC Partner Development Manager to identify the best approach for all parties.  Because of this custom approach, the timeline for executing an agreement varies, though the goal is to complete the transaction as efficiently as possible.

Q:  If a number of new users come online, how will NASA manage potential user conflicts in schedule or location?

A: KSC welcomes all tenants and works with each user’s requirements to determine the optimal location in accordance with KSC’s Master Plan strategy.  All tenants will coordinate the scheduling and execution of hazardous operations with NASA and will provide information to enable NASA to respond to security, fire, medical and environmental emergencies.  In addition, NASA will maintain a spaceport master schedule of integrated operations that partners will participate in to ensure effective communication of schedules.

Q:  What is the status of the KSC Master Plan

A:  KSC’s programmatic draft programmatic Environmental Impact Study (EIS), which includes both the proposed future land use map and future land use map alternative 1, has completed an internal and cooperating agency review.  Once the draft EIS is published, a public meeting will occur, allowing the public to provide feedback on the draft EIS and KSC Master Plan.  After this review period, KSC will finalize the programmatic EIS and issue a Record of Decision.  KSC intends to adopt an official Future Land Use Map (FLUM) at the culmination of the EIS process.

Q: Do Partners have access to NASA contractors to perform work requirements?

A:  Yes, under certain circumstances.  The nature of the work should be unique, such that no outside commercial operator could perform without significant knowledge of working on-site at KSC.  A reimbursable services agreement is required with advance funding.  In no circumstance will the Government become financially liable for services requested by and provided to partners.

Q: What are KSC’s specific criteria when considering potential partnerships?


A:
  Center Planning and Development evaluates all inquiries and determines if they meet the following criteria, which are established to help assess the value and feasibility of the proposed partnership.  Detailed criteria, conditions and limitations are associated with specific opportunities, but, in general, partnerships may be appropriate if:

  • Proposed uses of KSC physical assets are compatible with existing and future spaceport operations and consistent with KSC environmental stewardship responsibilities and the management of lands making up the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore.
  • The partnership proposal is clearly aligned with the spaceport resources and activities, or the proposal contributes to the asset management responsibilities of Government-wide directives at KSC.
  • Proposed uses of KSC physical assets – Government real property – are consistent with the KSC Master Plan, current agency policy and regulations governing asset management, and demonstrate a clear and equitable benefit to KSC consistent with its contribution.

Q:  What is “Divesting without Diminishing?”

A:  Divesting without diminishing is a strategy used by KSC to acknowledge that not all capabilities developed by the Agency will be retained and funded as-is.  Supplies and services that were required by the Agency for previous, retired programs may not be immediately required for new programs.  However, significant demand opportunity may exist to provide comparable services to commercial industry.  In these instances, KSC seeks to retain a suite of available capabilities that can meet commercial requirements and also be available to support government requirements when they arise.

Q:  Does KSC have laboratories and test facilities available for customer use?

A:  YesKSC is home to more than 40 laboratories and test facilities staffed by hundreds of scientists and technical experts covering a wide range of fields in both life sciences and physical sciences, with the capability to provide assistance on a variety of challenges, including, for example, corrosion issues, thermal insulation requirements, environmental remediation, chemical analysis and animal care.  KSC’s engineers are skilled in designing and analyzing electrical systems, avionics, mechanical accessories, fluids and propulsion, information technology and pyrotechnics.

In addition, the KSC team can help organizations save time and money by providing life cycle modeling and simulation services for aerospace operations, including command and control operations, supply chain management, discrete events, process flows, IT services, human factors impact and cost modeling. The team can also design and manufacture specialized tooling, flight hardware and support equipment.

KSC Laboratories

Q: Where can I get information about facilities and property that are available for use at KSC?

A: For information on KSC’s physical assets, go to the link at  KSC Physical Assets

To follow updates on these physical assets, go to the link Physical Happenings

Ready to Launch?

Ready to explore a partnership, or simply need more information?  Please submit your inquiry to our KSC Facilitator.