Buying your own Mobile Launch Platform from NASA, bid now...

DVICE - Bid on a piece of NASA history

Have you ever wanted to own a piece of NASA history? Here's your chance: NASA is currently seeking bidders for three of its launch pads used during moon missions. Originally built in 1967, each 3700 ton pad was officially used at the Kennedy Space Center to not only carry the Apollo moon program's rockets from an assembly area to the launch site, but to also send those rockets into space. The launch pads were later redesigned to accommodate space shuttles and were used regularly until 2010. Note that it's just the pads themselves that are for sale, not the crawler transporters.

Due to the enormous size and weight of the pads, moving them to a museum would be extremely difficult, and few have adequate space to store and display them. Considering that the launch pads come equipped with the necessary equipment, supplies and connections to launch a rocket...

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON KSC MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORMS

Synopsis - Aug 16, 2013

RFI - Mobile Launch Platforms - Posted on Aug 16, 2013

General Information

Solicitation Number:
RFI-KSC-MLP2013

Posted Date:
Aug 16, 2013

FedBizOpps Posted Date:
Aug 16, 2013

Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action:
No

Original Response Date:
Sep 06, 2013

Current Response Date:
Sep 06, 2013

Classification Code:
W -- Lease or Rental of equipment

NAICS Code:
237990

Contracting Office Address

NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

Description

This notice is issued by the NASA/KSC to post a Request for Information via the internet, and solicit responses from interested parties. This document is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to comment and respond to this request. Interested parties are invited to submit written comments or questions to the Contracting Officer listed below no later than August 30, 2013. When responding please reference RFI-KSC-MLP2013.

This presolicitation synopsis and Request for Information is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. Respondents will not be notified of the results.

See the attached RFI file for further details.

The mentioned RFI doc's are actually pretty cool. If you've ever wondered what made up a launchers, check the doc's out...

Introduction: NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is soliciting information and/or concepts relating to traditional and non-traditional reuse or disposal options for the former Apollo and Space Shuttle Mobile Launch Platforms (MLPs). These large structures are no longer in use at KSC, and currently there is not a foreseeable Agency need. NASA currently has no appropriated funds for any divestment option.

The MLPs were used by KSC for stacking, transporting, and launching operations during a Space Shuttle flow. The MLPs were originally constructed and used for the Apollo Program in the 1960’s – early 1970’s, and were then renovated and modified to support the Space Shuttle Program. The last launch off an MLP was July 8, 2011.

Figure 1 & 2. MLP-1 at KSC Park Site, MLP-1 underneath

These three (3) nearly identical MLPs are comprised mostly of steel and weigh approximately 8.2 million pounds each. They measure 160’x135’x25’ (Length x Width x Height). The height does not include the holding post shown in the Figure 1. They also have three (3) flame holes shown in Figure 2. Each MLP is a two-story hollow structure featuring an elaborate maze of pathways, compartments, plumbing, and electrical cabling.

Purpose: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather data for KSC to assess potential divestment strategies for one (1) or more of the three (3) MLP(s) available. This RFI requests interested parties to provide concepts and supporting information on one or several of the options listed below. KSC may be willing to enter into reimbursable agreements to provide working area, heavy equipment operations, and unique engineering support. All options may occur after completion of the General Services Administration (GSA) property disposal process, through which NASA would completely divest ownership responsibilities for the MLPs.

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