NASA GSFC Presolicitation Notice: Satellite Laser Ranging Services
General Information
Document Type: Presolicitation Notice
Solicitation Number: RFP-NNG05CA96C
Posted Date: Aug 16, 2005
Original Response Date: Sep 30, 2005
Current Response Date: Sep 30, 2005
Original Archive Date: Aug 16, 2006
Current Archive Date: Aug 16, 2006
Classification Code: A — Research & Development
Naics Code: 561210 — Facilities Support Services
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.M, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Description
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304 (c) (1), Only One Responsible Source. NASA/GSFC plans to obtain mission services to support laser ranging operations to artificial earth satellites, on Mt. Haleakala, Maui, which is part of NASA SLR Network, from the University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy (IFA). The period performance will be 5 years. These services are a continuation of the scientific and engineering mission operations support for the NASA Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) program. The services required include operations of a satellite laser tracking station. Other services include maintenance and calibration of TLRS-4, the transfer of data to the NASA central data collection facility, and system upgrades if required to maintain compatibility with the rest of the NASA SLR Network. The University’s observatory at Mt. Haleakala has been the site of Goddard’s SLR for over 30 years. During that time, the station has been compiling and maintaining a database that is critical to NASA’s work on a global tectonic motion data solution. Accurate data collection is based on the use of two, well defined, fixed geometric reference points. Mt. Haleakala is one of those fixed reference points (the other is at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD). Mt. Haleakala’s exact geometric location is known within 1 centimeter of uncertainty and changing this reference point now, after 30 years of data collection, would adversely impact NASA’s global tectonic motion data solution over the next decade. This database also plays a role in monitoring and identifying trends which pertain to geophysical events all over the world. Any break in gathering and processing data, or modification of the database would critically impact Goddard’s Space Geodesy efforts. Due primarily to the critical geometric location of the University of Hawaii observatory and to the importance of continuity to the SLR database, the Contracting Officer has determined that the Government’s requirement for the Satellite laser Ranging Station cannot be obtained from any other source than the University of Hawaii. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See note 22. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note “B”. Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Klaus D Sexton, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 286-2271, Fax (301) 286-6299, Email Klaus.D.Sexton@nasa.gov
Email your questions to Klaus D Sexton at Klaus.D.Sexton@nasa.gov
