Some initial responses (randomly selected)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Program is fine except selection process should be more independent of NASA and politics. Suggest using National Academy for technical review plus outside experts for business/financial review. (Response A)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Purchase of space cargo services, not another development program. (Response B)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Permit technology risk retirement to be performed under NASA contract before soliciting investment from private sources. NASA should commit to buying the COTS services conditioned on the service providers meeting capability and price objectives. (Response C)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
I think Constellation Services International should have been one of the organizations selected. They can implement the needed solution more cheaply and more quickly than any others. From a business perspective, it seems illogical that they wouldn’t be a top choice, so COTS seems to have some requirements that are not based on what is best financially or best in a business sense. (Response D)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Invest in multiple companies instead of just 2.
Have competitive structure to awards.
i.e. First to milestone gets $xx, second gets $x, and so on
(Response E)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
Continuity of funding is a major concern voiced by old hands at the NASA / private sector partnership. Guaranteed funding through a specific period / project that would survive less visionary congresses? (Response F)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
1) Prove the concept on a smaller scale before building full systems
2) Run a "Grand Challenge" for space
3) Launch scale rockets or planes in a competition (in addition to any paperwork)
(Response G)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
The success of the COTS program should be embraced throughout NASA. To much of the established civil service sector sees this activity as in direct competition with their existing positions. Privatization of NASA’s historical activities is a strongly resisted by the existing civil service pool. The U.S. will lose out in space commercialization if they do not embrace the capabilities of private enterprise. (Response H)
6. Do you think the NASA COTS program could be improved? If so how?
All programs would be improved if the funding cycle were more stable. Commercial companies cannot commit resources for programs when approvals for funds and the start dates are always in question. The negative impact from loss of continuity is staggering. (Response I)