Announcement for Proposals (AFP) For a Partnership Agreement Related to Science Engagement Opportunities for the NASA Mars 2020 Project (NNH18ZDA016K)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in cooperation with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has published an Announcement for Proposals (AFP) For a Partnership Agreement Related to Science Engagement Opportunities for the NASA Mars 2020 Project (NNH18ZDA016K). The Mars 2020 rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the Red Planet. The Mars 2020 mission addresses high-priority science goals for Mars exploration, including key questions about the potential for life on Mars. See: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/.

This AFP solicits proposals from commercial, educational, or non-profit organizations to partner with NASA on a non-reimbursable, i.e., no-exchange-of-funds, basis to define, organize, and execute a contest for K-12 students in U.S. schools to select a name for the Mars 2020 rover launching in 2020. NASA seeks proposals from organizations that are innovative, inspirational, and utilize avenues of high impact for reaching a diversity of populations and broadening participation. NASA views such contests as opportunities that further the Agency objectives to inform the public and distribute knowledge gained from the space program to a broad audience.

NASA will accept responses until 11:59 pm Eastern time, October 9, 2018. Responses shall be in the form of a proposal submitted via NSPIRES; see the AFP for details. NASA will judge proposals on their science engagement value and the expected breadth and depth of penetration into the national K-12 student population via a variety of both traditional and innovative channels – NASA is interested in reaching homeschoolers, U.S. affiliated students abroad, and all K-12 age students residing within the U.S. The successful Proposer will conduct a contest during the 2019 spring academic semester to evaluate, select, and deliver to NASA by July 31, 2019, the top 25 names that have been proposed and the associated nomination materials submitted by the students.

The AFP is available on NSPIRES at https://go.nasa.gov/2M7yLnk. Interested parties are encouraged to read the AFP carefully, as it differs significantly from a ROSES-type solicitation.

Send questions by email to: George Tahu; Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters: hqmars2020namingproposals@mail.nasa.gov. AFP questions and responses, with identifying information removed, will be posted as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at: https://go.nasa.gov/2M7yLnk.