• Problem Statement (124KB, PDF)

Sensis expects a government-funded lunar station to be initiated in the next NASA funding cycle. Sensis expects privately-owned space stations on the surface of the moon once a government-owned central station is established, driven in part by private efforts such as the X-Prize that will lower the cost of space travel. It is likely that the model of a government-funded central base with privately-funded remote stations will expand to Mars. These remote stations will need to be supplied with indigenous lunar and Martian raw materials such as subsurface ice.

In anticipation of this market need, Sensis is exploring the feasibility of using an Automated Material Delivery System at an unmanned mining facility. This system will be remotely controlled to automatically deliver mined products to remote customer depots. Since there will be little transportation infrastructure, and since there is virtually no atmospheric drag on the surface of the moon, a ballistic delivery system for large chunks of raw material is being explored.

To remotely control the system, Sensis expects to purchase communication bandwidth from service providers that will own and operate dedicated inter-planetary communication links. Communication costs are a direct function of the amount of bandwidth utilized, so minimizing communication bandwidth will be a key discriminating factor in choosing a design.

In order to select a potential contractor, Sensis is requesting bidders to build a scale model launcher that will deliver dried beans into bowls that simulate customer depots. Sensis will require each team to split into two segments in order to demonstrate the communication concept from one part of the team to the other.

For safety and consistency, and to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the final design, the materials used to build the device will be restricted by Sensis Corporation. This document includes a catalog of materials that can be used, and each vendor will have two weeks from the Kick-Off event to propose revisions to the material list. Sensis Corporation will assess each proposed addition, and if accepted the new material would be allowed for all bidders.

Sensis Corporation is expanding into the eco-friendly ground vehicle market. Wind-powered vehicle concepts are currently being evaluated for feasibility. As part of this evaluation, Sensis is soliciting proposals for the design, construction and demonstration of an affordable, high-performance, wind-powered ground vehicle design.

For safety and consistency, and to ensure cost-effectiveness of the final design, the materials used to build the device will be prescribed by Sensis Corporation. This document includes a catalog of materials that can be used, and each vendor will have two weeks from the Kick-Off event to propose revisions to the material list. Sensis Corporation will assess each proposal, and if accepted the new material would be allowed for all bidders.

Sensis Corporation will evaluate the ability of each prospective bidder to design, construct and demonstrate a scale model of a wind-powered ground vehicle that satisfies performance requirements. Sensis will therefore sponsor a competitive evaluation program prior to awarding the procurement contract. All prospective bidders are required to participate in this evaluation program. The program will test performance under extreme conditions (straight upwind and straight downwind) to give an initial assessment of the prototype systems. Steering systems and cross-wind performance will not be examined in this program.

Sensis Corporation is expanding into the competitive TV game show market. A new game concept is being evaluated for feasibility and competitiveness. As part of this evaluation, Sensis is soliciting proposals for the design, construction and demonstration of an accurate launching system. This device will be used by contestants to target a series of grid locations in a determined pattern. Since this device will be used in a challenging game show, accuracy is a critical performance attribute. For safety and consistency the materials used to build the device will be prescribed by Sensis Corporation. Sensis will provide a catalog of materials that can be used and each vendor must construct their version of the device from materials on this list.

Sensis Corporation will evaluate the ability of each prospective bidder to design, construct and demonstrate a launching system that satisfies performance requirements. Sensis will therefore sponsor a competitive evaluation program prior to awarding the procurement contract. All prospective bidders are required to participate in this evaluation program. The program will be modeled after the game show concept allowing an accurate assessment of the prototype systems.

It is the intent of this proposal to acquire a machine that performs its task in an automatic way. You might consider that the manual Load, Charge and Trigger events are provided in lieu of an embedded electronic controller or similar device. As a guideline for manual interaction with the device, only minor modifications for different target areas shall be allowed. The device should begin each trial, for all targets, in essentially the same configuration. Other than changing the orientation of the launch mechanism during the Align event, only adjustment of cams, pins, pulleys or other minor mechanical components from trial to trial is permitted.

Sensis Corporation is evaluating the feasibility of using automated material handling equipment to aid in product assembly. As part of this evaluation, Sensis is soliciting proposals for the design, construction and demonstration of a material handling device.

This device will be used to move delicate components from a starting point to any number of predetermined points on an assembly area. Since this device will be used as an aid in product assembly, the speed at which it can accurately move components is a critical performance attribute.

The component assembly area may be used to assemble components that are chemically volatile; therefore, there are certain constraints on the materials used to build the material handling device. Sensis will provide a catalog of materials that can be used and each vendor must construct their version of the device from materials on this list.

Sensis Corporation will evaluate the ability of each prospective bidder to design, construct and demonstrate a material handling device that satisfies performance requirements. Sensis will therefore sponsor a competitive evaluation program prior to awarding the procurement contract. All prospective bidders are required to participate in this evaluation program.

Sensis Corporation anticipates contract award for the development of a proof-of-concept remotely operated ground vehicle for planetary exploration applications. Specifically, these vehicles will be used for gathering samples for the analysis of planetary atmosphere and ground composition. As prime contractor, Sensis Corporation is soliciting proposals for the development and demonstration of a prototypical concept of operational control for this vehicle.

Sensis Corporation shall evaluate the ability of each prospective bidder to ensure they can satisfy the contractual requirements. Sensis will therefore sponsor a competitive evaluation program prior to awarding this contract. All prospective bidders are required to participate in this evaluation program.

Sensis is interested in developing a new Catapult design for Aircraft Carriers. Before Sensis awards the development contract to any one company, Sensis wants to evaluate the ability of each prospective bidder to ensure they can satisfy the contractual requirements. Sensis will therefore sponsor a competitive evaluation program prior to awarding this contract. All prospective bidders are required to participate in this evaluation program.