NASA GSFC Solicitation: High Power Uplink (Near Earth Objects Characterization)
Synopsis – Mar 13, 2012
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNH12429421R
Posted Date: Mar 13, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Mar 13, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Mar 28, 2012
Current Response Date: Mar 28, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code 210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Description
NASA/HQ has a requirement to provide high resolution, high power uplink capability at Ka-band for the use in characterizing Near Earth Objects (NEOs), orbital debris, and to fill knowledge gaps in space situational awareness. In fiscal year 2012 NASA will begin to build on its three element interferometer testbed consisting of 12m dishes to demonstrate: 1) uplink arraying with real time characterization and correction of atmospheric turbulence, 2) significant power and gain increases enabling high resolution object imaging and 3) real-time continual system phase control eliminating the need for costly, highly stable components.
IntelArrays Inc. is uniquely positioned to provide overall responsibility for the technical implementation of an X-band and Ka-band uplink arrays, innovative technology concepts, designs and arraying solutions, as well as systems engineering support and technical assistance for KSC engineering, InterTronic Solutions, Inc. (ISI), and other specialized hardware designers. NASA is rapidly moving into the Ka-band era, and a Ka-band radar can improve the knowledge of NEOs and other objects of interest by orders of magnitude in preparation for crewed missions and to satisfy the NEO tracking directive from Congress. However, for Ka-band adaptive optics to work, we must be able to compensate for atmospheric fluctuations in real time. ISI will reassemble and recommission the 12m antennas necessary to support this requirement.
Under contract with NASA Headquarters, IntelArrays Inc. will investigate the feasibility and performance of Ka-band adaptive array combining algorithms with real-time atmospheric fluctuations for use in ground based distributed phased arrays consisting of widely-spaced small aperture antennas. The research and development efforts will allow NASA to explore options in architecture and technology to include a high power, high resolution radar system for NEOs, orbital debris, and space situational awareness studies. IntelArrays’ principals are the originators of and the only team in the world that has demonstrated operationally feasible, real-time radio frequency adaptive optics techniques. Their unique qualifications will enable future architecture of the radar system and technologies that will enable capability and performance enhancement of orders of a greater magnitude while at the same time improving the operability and decreasing the operations and maintenance costs of the current system. NASA/HQ intends to award a sole source contract to IntelArrays, Inc. The sole source authority used is only one responsible source 10 U.S.C 2304(c)(1) “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or series will satisfy agency requirements” ( See FAR 6.302-1).
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact no later than 2:30 p.m. local time on 03/22/2012. 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. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
Point of Contact
Name: Barry Geldzahler
Title: Program Manager
Phone: 202-358-0512
Fax: 202-385-2830
Email: barry.geldzahler@nasa.gov
