Opportunity Information: Apply for NNH12ZDA006O APEXMO2
Apply for NNH12ZDA006O APEXMO2
- The NASA Headquarters in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY SOLICITATION AS SALMON 2 AO AMENDMENT" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 43.001 Science.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 17, 2014 and posted on Sep 17, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 18, 2014 Notice of Intent to Propose Due October 15, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Unrestricted
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Opportunity Summary:
NASA Headquarters, through the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), issued this funding opportunity as an Astrophysics Explorer 2014 Mission of Opportunity (MO) Program Element Appendix (PEA), labeled NNH12ZDA006O APEXMO2. It was released as Amendment 9 to the broader "Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice" known as SALMON 2 (NNH12ZDA006O). In plain terms, this is NASA opening a specific call for proposals for PI-led astrophysics investigations that can fly as a Mission of Opportunity under the Astrophysics Explorers Program, using the rules and structure defined by the SALMON 2 announcement plus the additional, more tailored requirements in this PEA.
The scientific purpose of the solicitation aligns with NASA's core astrophysics objectives: understanding how the universe works, how it began and evolved, and how to search for life on planets around other stars. Proposals are expected to be directly relevant to SMD astrophysics priorities and to fit within the Explorer "PI-led" model, where a principal investigator leads the mission concept and is responsible for delivering the science investigation within NASA's cost, schedule, and technical constraints.
The application window opened on September 17, 2014, and closed on December 18, 2014, with a required Notice of Intent to Propose due on October 15, 2014. The full solicitation text was made available through NASA's NSPIRES system (http://nspires.nasaprs.com/), and NASA also planned a preproposal conference in early October, with details hosted on the Explorers acquisition website (http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX). That conference was intended to clarify requirements, answer early questions, and help teams understand how to prepare compliant proposals under SALMON 2 and this specific appendix.
Eligibility was broadly open and described as "unrestricted," meaning NASA welcomed proposals from essentially any category of organization, subject to the detailed eligibility language in the full text. This included U.S. and non-U.S. entities, universities, nonprofits, industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other government agencies. The listing indicates the opportunity used grant and cooperative agreement instruments, was categorized under science and technology research and development, and fell under CFDA 43.001 (Science). No cost sharing or matching was required.
NASA indicated an expectation to select one or two Missions of Opportunity to move forward into Phase B and then into later mission phases. However, the language also left room for NASA to select more than two investigations if multiple selectable proposals fit within the available budget when considered together. This is an important feature for teams: selection is competitive, but NASA preserved flexibility to maximize science return if funding and portfolio balance allow.
This PEA explicitly stated that it incorporated a number of changes compared with earlier versions of the Explorers Mission of Opportunity PEA under SALMON 2 and compared with the draft 2014 version. Because of that, NASA emphasized that proposers needed to read both the overarching SALMON 2 Announcement of Opportunity and this appendix carefully, and that proposals had to comply with all requirements, constraints, and guidelines across both documents. Practically, that means compliance was not just about the idea, but also about adhering to NASA's specified proposal structure, mission constraints, cost caps or accounting rules where applicable, schedule and phase expectations, and any restrictions specific to Missions of Opportunity.
NASA also noted that this solicitation was released alongside two related opportunities: the Astrophysics Explorer 2014 Small Explorer AO (NNH14ZDA013O) and a separate call for U.S. Participating Investigators (APEX USPI) through ROSES-14 (NNH14ZDA001N). This matters because it signals that NASA was coordinating multiple Explorer-related pathways at the same time: one for full mission concepts (including Missions of Opportunity), one for Small Explorers, and one for U.S. investigators to participate in certain missions, creating multiple entry points depending on team size, mission maturity, and role.
For questions, NASA directed proposers to contact Dr. Wilton T. Sanders, the Astrophysics Explorers Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters, via email (wilton.t.sanders@nasa.gov) with the subject line "Explorer MO PEA," and provided phone and fax numbers. NASA stated that responses would be emailed and also posted publicly to the FAQ section of the Explorers acquisition website, while preserving the anonymity of individuals and institutions submitting questions. Finally, the notice clarified that the solicitation constituted a NASA Research Announcement under FAR 6.102(d)(2), framing it as a competitive research-based selection rather than a traditional procurement for a defined deliverable.
Astrophysics Explorer 2014 Mission of Opportunity (MO) PEA - FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) funding call for PI-led astrophysics investigations that can fly as an Astrophysics Explorer 2014 Mission of Opportunity (MO). It was issued as a Program Element Appendix (PEA) labeled NNH12ZDA006O APEXMO2, released as Amendment 9 to the broader "Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice" (SALMON 2), also labeled NNH12ZDA006O.
2) How does this PEA relate to SALMON 2?
This MO call uses the rules and structure defined in the SALMON 2 Announcement of Opportunity, plus additional, more tailored requirements contained in this specific appendix (the PEA). Proposals are expected to comply with requirements across both documents.
3) What program is this under?
The solicitation is part of NASA's Astrophysics Explorers Program and specifically targets Missions of Opportunity within the Explorer framework, using a PI-led mission model.
4) What is the main scientific purpose of the solicitation?
The stated purpose aligns with NASA's core astrophysics objectives: understanding how the universe works, how it began and evolved, and how to search for life on planets around other stars. Proposals are expected to be directly relevant to SMD astrophysics priorities.
5) What does "PI-led" mean in this context?
6) What type of projects is NASA seeking?
NASA is seeking astrophysics investigations suitable for flight as Missions of Opportunity under the Astrophysics Explorers Program, submitted as proposals that follow SALMON 2 and this MO PEA requirements.
7) When did the application window open and close?
The application window opened on September 17, 2014, and closed on December 18, 2014.
8) Was a Notice of Intent (NOI) required?
Yes. A Notice of Intent to Propose was required and was due on October 15, 2014.
9) Where was the full solicitation posted?
The full solicitation text was made available through NASA's NSPIRES system at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.
10) Was there a preproposal conference?
NASA planned a preproposal conference in early October (relative to the 2014 timeline). Details were to be posted on the Explorers acquisition website at http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX.
11) What was the purpose of the preproposal conference?
The conference was intended to clarify requirements, answer early questions, and help proposing teams understand how to prepare compliant proposals under SALMON 2 and this specific appendix.
12) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as "unrestricted," meaning NASA welcomed proposals from essentially any category of organization, subject to the detailed eligibility language in the full solicitation text.
13) What kinds of organizations were included in the eligibility description?
The eligibility description included U.S. and non-U.S. entities, universities, nonprofits, industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other government agencies.
14) What funding instruments were used for this opportunity?
The listing indicates the opportunity used grant and cooperative agreement instruments.
15) What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?
It fell under CFDA 43.001 (Science) and was categorized under science and technology research and development.
16) Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice stated that no cost sharing or matching was required.
17) How many Missions of Opportunity did NASA expect to select?
NASA indicated an expectation to select one or two Missions of Opportunity to move forward into Phase B and then into later mission phases.
18) Could NASA select more than two proposals?
Yes. The language left room for NASA to select more than two investigations if multiple selectable proposals fit within the available budget when considered together.
19) What mission phase would selected proposals enter?
NASA stated an expectation that selected Missions of Opportunity would move into Phase B and then into later mission phases.
20) Did NASA emphasize any changes or updates in this appendix?
Yes. The PEA explicitly stated that it incorporated a number of changes compared with earlier versions of the Explorers Mission of Opportunity PEA under SALMON 2 and compared with the draft 2014 version. Because of this, NASA emphasized careful reading of both SALMON 2 and the appendix.
21) What did NASA emphasize about compliance?
NASA emphasized that proposals must comply with all requirements, constraints, and guidelines across both the overarching SALMON 2 Announcement of Opportunity and this specific PEA. Compliance includes following NASA's specified proposal structure and meeting any mission constraints, schedule and phase expectations, and Mission of Opportunity-specific restrictions referenced in the documents.
22) Were there related opportunities released around the same time?
Yes. NASA noted this solicitation was released alongside two related opportunities: the Astrophysics Explorer 2014 Small Explorer AO (NNH14ZDA013O) and a separate call for U.S. Participating Investigators (APEX USPI) through ROSES-14 (NNH14ZDA001N).
23) Why do the related opportunities matter for proposers?
NASA signaled it was coordinating multiple Explorer-related pathways at the same time: one for full mission concepts (including Missions of Opportunity), one for Small Explorers, and one for U.S. investigators to participate in certain missions. This created multiple entry points depending on team size, mission maturity, and role.
24) Who was the point of contact for questions about this MO PEA?
NASA directed proposers to contact Dr. Wilton T. Sanders, the Astrophysics Explorers Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters.
25) What email and subject line were provided for questions?
Questions were to be sent to wilton.t.sanders@nasa.gov with the subject line "Explorer MO PEA."
26) How would NASA share answers to proposer questions?
NASA stated that responses would be emailed and also posted publicly to the FAQ section of the Explorers acquisition website, while preserving the anonymity of individuals and institutions submitting questions.
27) What acquisition/solicitation framework did NASA cite for this opportunity?
The notice clarified that the solicitation constituted a NASA Research Announcement under FAR 6.102(d)(2), indicating a competitive research-based selection rather than a traditional procurement for a defined deliverable.
28) What were the key websites referenced for this opportunity?
NASA referenced NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com/) for the full solicitation text and the Explorers acquisition website (http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/APSMEX) for preproposal conference details and a publicly posted FAQ.
29) What is the official label/identifier for this MO PEA?
The PEA was labeled NNH12ZDA006O APEXMO2 and was released as Amendment 9 to SALMON 2 (NNH12ZDA006O).
30) What should teams do first to avoid missing requirements?
NASA emphasized reading both the overarching SALMON 2 Announcement of Opportunity and this Mission of Opportunity PEA carefully, because the appendix included changes and proposals had to comply with requirements across both documents.
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