NASA MSFC Soliciation: Expansion of the SERVIR Project in East Africa and the Himalayas and Other Geographic Regions
Synopsis – Nov 24, 2010
General Information
Solicitation Number: 4200365493
Posted Date: Nov 24, 2010
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Nov 24, 2010
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Dec 08, 2010
Current Response Date: Dec 08, 2010
Classification Code: B — Special studies and analysis – not R and D
NAICS Code: 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services
Contracting Office Address
NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Description
NASA/MSFC has a requirement for assistance and technical services to aid in the integration of new requirements for the Regional Visualization and Monitoring System (SERVIR), further progression of SERVIR from installation to operations in East Africa, installation of SERVIR in the Himalayas, and potential expansion to other geographical regions.
NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the services from Science Systems and Applications, Inc (SSAI). Competition is impractical for the following reasons:
1. The funds specifically dedicated to establish and expand the SERVIR system in Africa and other geographic regions, were provided to NASA from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a Participating Agency Program Agreement. The requirements and timeframe which have been levied on NASA by USAID necessitate immediate implementation; thus, the need to use existing system familiarity and expertise is virtually unavoidable. SSAI is currently providing technical support for the SERVIR system in Africa and has key personnel with nearly 20 years experience in the processing, analysis, management and delivery of multi-source environmental data.
2. Advancement of the SERVIR integrated platform is one of the project’s highest priorities. SSAI having been the implementing arm for development of the SERVIR infrastructure, which includes the integrated platform, brings system familiarity and design consistency along with the required expertise readily available to implement relevant tasks within the time constraint specified in the interagency agreement between NASA and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), NASA’s funding partner for global expansion. Continuing to engage SSAI lessens the risk of failure to implement requirements per the guidelines set by USAID, which incidentally keeps NASA in good standing with the USAID and promotes future collaboration.
3. SERVIR is a high-visibility project at NASA/MSFC, NASA/HQ and USAID. It is also the model in the Americas for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems–a multinational effort to build an earth observation system. It is also a key implementation project under the Central American-United States Joint Accord signed by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on June 7, 2001. For these reasons, it is of benefit to NASA to maintain its affiliation with an institution like SSAI that is well recognized in the geospatial community and consistently performs exceptionally well amid the high demands that go hand in hand with high-visibility.
4. SSAI has existing relationships with SERVIR’s international partners, the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC), which hosts and operates the SERVIR system in Mesoamerica, and the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) which hosts and operates the SERVIR system in East Africa. These existing relationships will help facilitate the transfer of technology to the newly dedicated third SERVIR system in the Himalayas.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
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 Wednesday, December 8, 2010. 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.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is:
Robin N. Henderson NASA/MSFC Building 4200, Room 918A, Telephone: 256-544-1919 Fax: 256-544-7920 E-mail: robin.n.henderson@nasa.gov.
Point of Contact
Name: Iris Walter
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: 256-961-7054
Fax: 256-961-7148
Email: Iris.R.Walter@nasa.gov
Name: Mark R. Stiles
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 256-544-0381
Fax: 256-544-6062
Email: mark.r.stiles@nasa.gov
