Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Phase E Contract Extension
Synopsis – May 10, 2012
General Information
Solicitation Number: RFP-LRO-NNG07EK00C
Posted Date: May 10, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: May 10, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: May 25, 2012
Current Response Date: May 25, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 336414
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 NNG07EK00C with Arizona State University (ASU) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission. ASU 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 ASU. 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 ASU is the only organization currently qualified to perform the subject requirement for the following reasons: 1) This procurement will enable the science and flight operations activities to be merged and carried out at ASU with a substantial university undergraduate and graduate student educational involvement. Only ASU possesses the high level scientific expertise, the detailed design, test and operations knowledge of the LROC instrument and LRO spacecraft, and the capability to integrate the science operations and science data analysis. This expertise and experience is essential because the majority of the science operations flow from the science data analysis and require knowledge both of the Instrument science and Instrument design, test and operation. In particular, this expertise is necessary for the selection of appropriate imaging targets, the camera settings associated with the targets, and the creation of the daily target load for the spacecraft. 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; 2) ASU scientists and engineers are unique in their familiarity with the LROC instrument design, testing and calibration as well as the LRO spacecraft. From 2005-2009, ASU designed, fabricated, calibrated, tested, and integrated the LROC instrument for the LRO spacecraft, including at the Spacecraft level after delivery to LRO. Under contract NNG07EK00C, ASU has successfully carried out the science operations of the LROC instrument on the LRO spacecraft since LRO launch in June 2009. Dr. Mark Robinson of ASU, as a leading expert in his field of planetary geophysics, 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 LROC instrument is a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind instrument. In addition, ASU developed software for: testing the instruments on-orbit, generating target selection, 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. 304(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 May 25, 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: Julie A. Janus
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 301-286-4931
Fax: 301-286-0341
Email: Julie.A.Janus@nasa.gov
