NASA Space Based Gravitational Wave Observatory Telescope Opportunities Request For Information

Attachment A-Summary of Key Telescope Requirements – Posted on May 17, 2012

General Information

Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: ELISATelescope-RFI2012
Posted Date: May 17, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: May 17, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: May 30, 2012
Current Response Date: May 30, 2012
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541990

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, MD 20771

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is soliciting information to conduct market research to improve its understanding regarding the current state-of-the-art of available telescopes and/or telescope prototypes. NASA is seeking broad information concerning existing telescopes and/or telescope designs to enable future development of a telescope prototype for a space-based gravitational wave mission.

In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes only and is not intended to bind the Government.

Technical Specifications:

NASA has gathered relevant technical information over the last few years which allowed for the development of technical telescope design specifications for an upcoming space-based Gravitational-wave Observatory (SGO) Mission (Attachment A). These missions have very similar requirements, but the requirements quoted in Attachment A are taken from the European Space Agency(ESA)-led New Gravitational-wave Observatory (NGO, or e-LISA) Mission. The main thrust behind much of the work done to date has focused on the optical design of the telescope, however, implementation issues regarding mechanical and thermal requirements must be addressed as well. The full requirements description is included in Attachment A.

Disclaimer:

It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained during this solicitation. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as “Proprietary or Confidential” will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this Request For Information(RFI) is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 entitled “Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes”. This RFI is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information submitted in response to this RFI. 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. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to points of contact as outlined below. As part of its assessment of industry capabilities, the NASA/GSFC may contact respondents to this RFI, if clarifications or further information is needed.

Instructions to Respondents:

NASA appreciates responses from all capable and qualified U.S. sources including, but not limited to, NASA Centers, universities, university affiliated research centers, federally funded research and development centers, private or public companies, and government research laboratories.

Respondents are required to address the following technical specifications for their respective telescopes or telescope designs. Responses must have classified and proprietary information properly marked.

– Summary of similar telescopes that have been already built (if any) and how they have been used in a system/mission application.

– Identify your existing telescope design and how it compares to the requirements summarized in Attachment A. What type of materials did you use?

– Is your telescope or telescope design an on-axis or off -axis design? Why did you select one versus the other?

– Level of design and manufacturing maturity: o How many and what types of telescopes have been built that are of the flight design. o Heritage based on previous work. o Description of level of testing planned or actually performed. o TRL’s where applicable.

– Company Technical Capabilities o Which specifications from Attachment A has your company met in previous designs and are considered routine. o Which specifications from Attachment A your company has not previously demonstrated, but are within the capabilities of your organization. o Which specifications from Attachment A cannot easily be met by your company. o Description of existing capability available in-house to support mission studies (e.g. drawings, 3-D models, analysis, etc.)

– Materials experience and Expertise o Summarize any relevant materials handling experience or capability. o Discuss any relevant experience specifically with the following materials. o Silicon carbide o Single crystal silicon

– Rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate of the cost of providing one prototype telescope that meets the requirements in Appendix A. The purpose of the ROM is to serve as guidance to develop follow-on technology development budgets for extended missions. Therefore, please do not include non-recurring engineering costs such as flight qualification or environmental testing.

Respondents are also required to address the following programmatic items:

– Company name, name of corporate point of contact, telephone number, full mailing address, and e-mail address.

– Size of the company, number of years in business; affiliate information (if applicable): parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners.

– Corporate competencies

– Past performance information which reflects the company’s relevant telescopes design and/or manufacturing within the last five years. Please provide a brief description of the telescopes design and/or manufacturing opportunity; the value of the action; if your company was the prime contractor or the subcontractor; and the point of contact information (POC) of the customer (name of the company/Agency, customer’s name, phone number, and email address)

How to Respond:

– Submit by May 30, 2012 no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

– Electronic submission is preferred.

– The responses shall be addressed in 15 pages or less, 12-point font size, one inch margins.

– Respondents are welcome to submit supplementary information. There is no page limit in supporting documentation.

– Format: Microsoft Word (.doc) or Portable Document Format (.pdf).

– Mark all responses: e-LISA Telescope System Submission

All responses shall be submitted to:

Petar Arsenovic NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 551 Bldg 5 RmC310A Greenbelt, MD 20771 E-mail: Petar. Arsenovic-1@nasa.gov

Questions and comments are welcomed. All questions regarding and correspondence associated with this RFI should be conducted by email to Petar, Nylsevalis, and Kathleen.

Point of Contact

Name: Nylsevalis Ortiz-Collazo
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 301-286-2387
Fax: 301-286-1670
Email: Nylsevalis.Ortizcollazo-1@nasa.gov

Name: Kathleen M Tennant
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 301-286-9378
Fax: 301-286-1773
Email: Kathleen.M.Tennant@nasa.gov