NASA Sources Sought Notice: ALEP/Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Communication System
RLEP/LRO Communication System Background Info 01 – Posted on Feb 09, 2005
General Information
Document Type: Sources Sought Notice
Solicitation Number:RFI-RLEP-LRO-2-9-05
Posted Date: Feb 09, 2005
Original Response Date: Mar 11, 2005
Current Response Date: Mar 11, 2005
Original Archive Date: Feb 09, 2006
Current Archive Date: Feb 09, 2006
Classification Code: A — Research & Development
Naics Code: 927110 — Space Research and Technology
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Description
Robotic Lunar Exploration Program/Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Communication System Request for Information THIS IS *NOT* A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, QUOTATION, OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE. Overview LRO requires communications to support tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) as well as mission measurement data return.
To accomplish this LRO intends to employ S-Band for TT&C functions and Ka-Band for high rate measurement data. Proximity relay is planned to enable mission cross-support at S-Band. Requested Response The LRO mission requests that interested parties provide inputs and suggestions as to how best to achieve the communication goals of the LRO mission (and extend into the RLEP program).
Responses may include component or system level concepts including transceivers, software defined radios, transponders, modulators, SSPAs and TWTAs in S- and Ka-Bands in addition to passive components that enable LRO’s mission communications.
The project is interested in learning of individual component technologies as well as complete system concepts.
Cost and schedule are discriminators in LRO’s eventual selection of any solution, and so the project is mostly interested with responses that closely match or exceed LRO’s assumed requirements, however, the project is very interested in learning of potential technology developments that could benefit LRO, RLEP and the Agency.
In addition to the general topics discussed above, the LRO mission requests the following. Interested parties do not have to respond to the following questions if they do not apply to their proposed component / technology / system.
1. Discuss a minimum-cost, minimum-risk method of achieving the communication goals of LRO. This may involve independent communication systems to support TT&C, high-rate and proximity relay. Discuss the proposed architecture and components. Provide ROM estimates for NRE and procurement costs as well as schedule estimates ARO. Discuss expected mechanical, thermal, mass and power requirements of this solution.
2. Discuss an in-flight reconfigurable method of achieving the communication goals of LRO. This may involve independent systems to support TT&C, high-rate and proximity relay. The systems must, however be adaptable and reconfigurable by software/firmware load on orbit. LRO wishes to consider this option to understand the implications of building into LRO adaptability to support future technologies that may be developed as the program moves forward. Discuss the proposed architecture and components. Provide ROM estimates for NRE and procurement costs as well as schedule estimates ARO. Discuss expected mechanical, thermal, mass and power requirements of this solution.
3. Discuss a minimum hardware option that aims to combine the three primary communication functions into one system. In-flight reconfigurability is again a goal of this option. Discuss the proposed architecture and components. Provide ROM estimates for NRE and procurement costs as well as schedule estimates ARO. Discuss expected mechanical, thermal, mass and power requirements of this solution. 4. Discuss any other methods, options or technologies you believe of benefit to the LRO and RLEP programs. Information also is sought from communication vendors on the following thermal considerations related to communication system technologies:
1. Methods to minimize heater power.
2. Methods to minimize thermal coupling of communication system to rest of the spacecraft.
3. Approaches which simply thermal integration and qualification. Information submitted to GSFC in response to this RFI will be treated as strictly proprietary unless otherwise indicated. No procurement is planned as a direct result of this Request for Information.
Information submitted in response to this Request for Information will be used for LRO and RLEP concept development activities.
Parties proposing concepts of interest to LRO and RLEP may be invited to submit more detailed information or to discuss their concepts further. It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.
No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service.
It is the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Technical questions should be directed to: Jason Soloff at (301) 286-1368 or Jason.A.Soloff@nasa.gov.
Procurement related questions should be directed to: Julie Janus at (301) 286-4931 or Julie.A.Janus@nasa.gov. Interested offerors shall address the requirements of this RFI in written format as described in the previous paragraphs by electronic mail to: Jason Soloff at Jason.A.Soloff@nasa.gov, no later than 5:00 PM EST on March 11, 2005. An ombudsman has been appointed — See NASA Specific Note “B”. The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office 97 format and will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=C&pin=51.
It is the offeror’s responsibility to monitor the Internet cite for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments, if any. Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Jason A Soloff, Communication Systems Engineer, Phone (301) 286-1368, Fax (301) 286-1750, Email Jason.A.Soloff@nasa.gov – Julie A. Janus, Contracting Officer, Phone (301) 286-4931, Fax (301) 286-0341, Email jjanus@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov
Email your questions to Jason A Soloff at Jason.A.Soloff@nasa.gov
