Solicitation Number: NNH18ZTT003L
 
Release Date: August 3, 2018
 
Response Due Date: October 3, 2018
 
NASA, in collaboration with the ISS National Lab (managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, CASIS), is considering flying a special International Space Station space life science mission, Rodent Mission of Unusual Specimen Quantity (RMOUSQ).  This mission is focused on enabling in depth analyses to characterize rodent biology in the space environment for enabling human space exploration and contributing to Earth-benefits.  RMOUSQ will enable investigations using up to three hundred mice, up to ninety rats, or a mixture of mice and rats. NASA is requesting comments about this type of mission from the U.S. and international life sciences communities, which includes individuals from government agencies as well as those working in the private sector. RMOUSQ is expected to significantly advance rodent research in space through improved statistical analyses using a large specimen sample quantity and enable greater integrated physiology and systems biology studies. It is anticipated that studies of this magnitude will benefit fundamental biological science, human space exploration and health risk mitigation, commercial space utilization, and human health on Earth.  The information submitted in response to this Request for Information (RFI) will be used for evaluating, designing, and planning RMOUSQ and to assist in crafting possible future research opportunities.
 
The full text of this Request For Information (RFI) and response instructions can be found at https://tinyurl.com/RMOUSQ-RFI. Responses must be submitted electronically using the NSPIRES website. This RFI is open to responses from the public, including individuals in the private commercial sector, international organizations, academia, NASA Centers, and other federal government agencies. Due to the applicability of RMOUSQ to basic and applied research, the responses can be framed broadly in terms of science benefit with reference to multiple fundamental and applied research objectives.
 
This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for any information solicited. The issuance of this RFI does not obligate NASA to act on any of the responses.