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FOSTERING PM INNOVATION

2025 NASA PM SYMPOSIUM

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TODAY’S PRESENTERS

IAN PARK

TONY NERONE

  • Project Manager (ARMD at GRC)
  • Subsonic Vehicle Technologies and Tools (SVTT) Project
  • Acting Lead Contracting Officer (GRC)
  • Supports multiple ARMD Projects and SCaN

2025 NASA PM Symposium

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FOSTERING PM INNOVATION�LEVERAGING PROCUREMENT FOR SUCCESS

Lessons learned from a novel and successful procurement effort

Best practices that might be useful in other situations

2025 NASA PM Symposium

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OUR STORY

  • Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) Project formulation and procurement
  • Technology development procurement was required on a compressed timeline
  • Typical 18-month timeline was insufficient
  • Entire procurement was executed in ~10 months

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HYTEC PHASE 1 ACQUISITION SOLUTION

Team proposed and executed the first center-led NASA Research Announcement (NRA)

Utilized FAR Part 35 for the NRA a subset of Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Allowed companies to respond with solutions to technology development needs

No specifications or detailed requirements

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START EARLY

As soon as you know you need a procurement, involve procurement and legal

Explore options for contract types, FAR options, and legal advice

Be creative—if the FAR does not prohibit something, it could be possible!

Conduct a Market Research - Release a Request for Information (RFI) and Sources Sought (SS) as soon as possible

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RELEASE A DETAILED RFI AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Once the acquisition need is obvious, release an RFI and SS as soon as practical (coupled with contract and legal consultation)

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Ensure relevant entities are notified of the RFI and SS release

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Hold an industry day in conjunction to field questions and provide clarifications

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Develop a thorough RFI/SS—do not be afraid to ask for information! (technical content, estimated cost, schedule, etc. )

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BEST PRACTICES FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Release a draft Request for Proposal (RFP)

Hold an industry day after draft release so that entities can offer feedback and to answer questions before a formal Black Out Notice

Supply a model contract with the draft and final RFPs

Adjust the RFP accordingly based on feedback to ensure awardable proposals are received

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MANAGE ACQUISITION LIKE A PROJECT

  • Procurement can be managed like a project within a project
  • Make a detailed MS Project schedule working backwards from target award date
  • Do not waste time! Use gaps to prepare for next steps and plan steps in parallel

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  • Example:
  • Evaluation team was assembled while proposals were being written, an evaluation spreadsheet was created, and the process briefed to the team
  • Evaluation began right when proposals received and were completed quickly

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SUMMARY

Start early with legal and procurement

Release an early, detailed RFI

Utilize draft RFP option

Hold industry days

Manage acquisition like a small project

Be efficient, work in parallel, capitalize on downtime

2025 NASA PM Symposium

    • HyTEC implemented this approach three times with successful results without protest.
    • This process has been used successfully by other GRC projects as well.
    • GRC procurement continues model other procurements after this approach.

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These lessons learned and best practices continue to be applied with successful results.

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QUESTIONS?

2025 NASA PM Symposium