NASA SMD RFI: Information on the Planetary Data Ecosystem release
Solicitation Number: NNH20ZDA011L
Release Date: August 17, 2020
Response Date: November 9, 2020 (NOTE: NASA will start using responses in September. Please respond as early as possible and consult the RFI for further details.)
Under this Request for Information (RFI), NASA is seeking information and gathering community feedback on the Planetary Data Ecosystem (PDE) in preparation for the creation of a PDE Independent Review Board (IRB). NASA defines the PDE “as the ad hoc connected framework of activities and products that are built upon and support the data collected by planetary space missions and research programs, primarily those funded by NASA.” The PDE includes but is not limited to archives, tools, programs, projects, pipelines, and stakeholder groups. Responses to this RFI will provide community input on the i) ideal, ii) current, and iii) future state of the PDE. Responses may address questions such as, but not limited to:
- What PDE elements does the community of users need to effectively and efficiently use data delivered from a planetary mission to answer research questions, facilitate communication of planetary science, or create education opportunities?
- What current PDE elements are the community using? What value do each of those elements provide in addressing NASA goals outlined in the NASA 2018 Strategic Plan, Science 2020-2024: A Vision for Scientific Excellence, or the Science Mission Directorate’s Strategy for Data Management and Computing for Groundbreaking Science 2019-2024?
- Are there PDE elements that are missing, or areas where there are overly redundant PDE elements that add little additional value for the community’s needs?
The full text of the RFI and response instructions can be found at: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/
RFI responses must be submitted through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). The information obtained will be used by NASA to further inform planning and development of the PDE. NASA will use the information obtained as a result of this RFI on a non-attribution basis. Restricted/limited data/information is not solicited. Information obtained in response to this RFI will be shared with the PDE IRB, which will include non-NASA personnel.
Address questions and comments to:
Rebecca McCauley Rench, Program Scientist, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, email: becky.mccauley@nasa.gov (subject line to read “PDE RFI”).
