NASA Sole Source Contract Modification to Contract – LRO Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER)
Synopsis – Nov 20, 2012
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNG11PA03C
Posted Date: Nov 20, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Nov 20, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Dec 05, 2012
Current Response Date: Dec 05, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 517919
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Description
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NNG11PA03C with University of New Hampshire (UNH) Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission. UNH is currently performing both the flight operations, which includes spacecraft operations planning, scheduling, and engineering parameter review and trending, as well as the science operations which includes initiating all target requests to the instrument, planning all instrument modes and turn-ons, data dissemination to the co-investigators and to the general scientific community through the Planetary Data System (PDS).
NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to UNH. The estimated period of performance of this cost-no-fee (CNF) contract extension will be for 2-years from March 16, 2013 through March 15, 2015.
The UNH is the only organization currently qualified to perform the subject requirement for the following reasons: Only UNH possesses the high level scientific expertise, the detailed design, test and operations knowledge of the CRaTER instrument and LRO spacecraft, and the capability to integrate the CRaTER calibration, science operations and science data analysis. This is essential because the majority of the Instrument calibration and science operations flow from the science data analysis and require knowledge of both the Instrument science and Instrument design, test and operation. Similarly, the science data analysis is enhanced by direct knowledge of the Instrument science operations. It would be unproductive to separate science operations from science data analysis. UNH scientists and engineers are unique in their familiarity with the CRaTER instrument design, testing and calibration as well as the LRO spacecraft. From 2005-2009, the UNH team (then resident at BU) designed, fabricated, calibrated, tested, and integrated the CRaTER instrument for the LRO spacecraft, including at the Spacecraft level after delivery to LRO. Under contract NNG05EB92C, the UNH team (while at BU and now UNH) has successfully carried out the science operations of the CRaTER instrument on the LRO spacecraft since LRO launch in June 2009. PI Dr. Spence, now of UNH, as a leading expert in his field of space physics, was selected by NASA Headquarters to lead this investigation, based on an evaluation of his proposal submitted under the Announcement of Opportunity for exploration measurements in NASA’s LRO Mission (AO NNH04ZSS003O). The CRaTER instrument is a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind instrument. In addition, UNH unique developed software for: checking telemetry received for health and safety of the instruments, processing the raw data so that scientists can manipulate, display, and analyze the scientific data received, and producing summary data. This effort requires the detailed understanding of the instrument and all related software. Since no other organization was involved with these activities on an in-depth level, no other organization currently has the knowledge and experience to perform the requirement.
Statutory authority for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1)–Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations who believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedules supported by this work should fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on December 5, 2012. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. 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
Name: Stephanie D Stephens
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 301-286-3220
Fax: 301-286-1773
Email: stephanie.d.stephens@nasa.gov
Name: Julie A. Janus
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 301-286-4931
Fax: 301-286-0341
Email: Julie.A.Janus@nasa.gov
