NASA Explores Potential New Users For Some Kennedy Facilities

NASA has released a formal Notice of Availability (NOA) and Request for Information (RFI) to identify interest from industry for space processing and support facilities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The facilities may become available for space-related commercial use following the end of the Space Shuttle Program.

The facilities that may become available are well-suited for entities operating or directly supporting government or commercial launches or space user services.

"Kennedy has been working for some time to enable commercial space activities at the center that are in line with NASA's mission," Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana said. "Partnering with the commercial space industry will help NASA meet its goals and help sustain facility assets to support our nation's space objectives."

The announcement groups facilities into four classes: space vehicle processing and launch facilities; off-line processing facilities; payload processing facilities; and miscellaneous facilities. Facilities listed in the announcement include: Launch Pads 39A and B, the Vehicle Assembly Building, Orbiter Processing Facilities and the Shuttle Landing Facility.

NASA reserves the right to subsequently remove facilities from this list if the agency determines it needs them for its own requirements. NASA also may pursue other options for disposition of the listed facilities if in the government's best interests.

NASA has received previous commercial interest in some of the facilities at the center. This notice is another step in efforts to build awareness with industry about potentially available center assets. It was issued to provide the widest notice about facilities and to ensure fairness to interested parties.

FMI: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76#145065, www.nasa.gov/kennedy