SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Global Positioning System Block III Space Segment Development Request for Information
- Notice Date
- 2/18/2005
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Space Command, SMC - Space and Missiles System Center, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1467, El Segundo, CA, 90245-4659
- ZIP Code
- 90245-4659
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-GPSIII-RFI-29
- Response Due
- 3/11/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/26/2005
- Description
- The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) Joint Program Office (JPO) is considering alternative strategies for the acquisition of the next generation of the GPS space and control segments. The new acquisition strategy under consideration will compete the next generation space and control segments separately. The overall systems integration (SI) function may be performed by one of the segments, by a stand-alone SI contract, or by the government. Under this strategy, the space segment development, or GPS Block III, is an evolutionary acquisition program requiring growth and flexibility that will focus on incrementally delivering the full GPS Block III capability and early fielding of the first increment of GPS Block III, referred to as GPS Block IIIA. Current GPS III program baseline is for first launch in FY 13. We would like to explore options to launch GPS Block IIIA as early as our current projections for the launch date of GPS Block IIF?13, currently estimated to be required in FY11. The GPS Block III space segment acquisition will include developing a new satellite bus to allow for growth and flexibility to support full GPS III capability. In addition to the modernized Block II capabilities, the GPS III space vehicle (SV) will ultimately have an additional L1 civil signal, a directional M-Code signal (nominally +20 dB), on-orbit payload reprogrammability, on-board signal integrity monitoring, and crosslinks to support inter-satellite ranging and TT&C. The GPS III Draft System Specification describes the required Block III capabilities and can be found in the GPS III bidder's library. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The current GPS consists of three major segments. These are: a space segment (SS), a control segment (CS), and a user segment (US). GPS is a dual use, military and civil system whose primary mission is to provide Position, Navigation and Time (PNT) services. The Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (NDS) is carried as a secondary payload. Future additional payloads may also include the Distress Alerting Satellite System (DASS) and others. DASS relays search and rescue data and is planned as a component of the international Cospas-Sarsat search and rescue system. The key capabilities for the future GPS system include high availability of military accuracy in a jammed environment, increased time transfer accuracy, increased position accuracy, higher system integrity, backward compatibility, survivability, L1 signal common with Galileo, and interoperability with the Global Information Grid. SPACE SEGMENT DESCRIPTION: The SS consists of SVs in a constellation designed to maximize availability of precise position and time, with additional on orbit active spares, and associated Ground Support Equipment (GSE) to store and process a vehicle for launch at the launch site. GPS satellites provide ranging signals that enable GPS users equipped with properly designed GPS receivers, to precisely determine time and their three-dimensional position and velocity. The GPS constellation is currently comprised of Block II, Block IIA, and Block IIR SVs which broadcast the L1 C/A, L1 P(Y), and L2 P(Y) navigation signals. The NDS payload is also hosted on these satellite vehicles. The modernized Block II satellites, IIR-M and IIF, add a military-only signal (M-Code) on L1 and L2 and new dedicated civil signals, L2C and L5 (IIF only), to the existing legacy signals. The first IIR-M will be launched in CY05; the first IIF will be launched in CY07. The NDS payload is also hosted on these satellite vehicles. The GPS Block IIIA space segment acquisition will include a satellite bus that allows for growth and flexibility to support incremental progress towards full GPS III capability. Notionally, the initial increment will add a new L1 civil signal common with Galileo, increased earth coverage M-Code signal power (nominally +10dB) or directional M-Code signal (nominally +20 dB), and Ka or V-band crosslinks for inter-satellite ranging and TT&C. The NDS payload interface will remain nearly unchanged; however, the NDS mission may require migration of the downlink off L3 to a suitable frequency. Alternative initial configurations that accelerate incremental fielding of capability or significantly reduce program risk also require investigation. For example, DASS could be a candidate for implementation on the first increment, or crosslink ranging capabilities could be deferred to a later increment. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: The purpose of this announcement is to assist the government in identifying interested and potential offerors or teams capable of achieving these space segment program objectives with acceptable risks and costs. This announcement also seeks feedback on: 1) the viability of the notional GPS Block IIIA concept; 2) how to best develop and deliver early satellites as quickly as possible with increasing capability from increment to increment; 3) how accelerating/delaying implementation of capabilities in GPS IIIA affects timelines for development and delivery of the first SV; 4) how the government can best incentivize schedule for early launch of GPS IIIA; and 5) how to best address system integration responsibilities. Interested and potential offerors are requested to submit a response package that provides the following information: 1) experience and summary of capabilities in developing space segments and control segments including specific experience with certifications (system security/information assurance, net ready/interoperability, and aviation safety); 2) experience acting as a system integrator; 3) input on how to allocate the roles and responsibilities between potential space and control segment contractors; 4) input on how the system integrator's roles and responsibilities should be defined; 5) interest in proposing on any or all of the space, or system integrator responsibilities if submitted under separate solicitations (to include the level of expertise the company would provide for each responsibility); 6) recommendation for the most effective (cost, schedule, performance, risk) incremental development path to full GPS III capability; and 7) an estimated schedule to incrementally develop and deliver the GPS III capabilities, in Gantt-chart format (timelines should be independent of program start date and reflect contractor?s past space segment development experiences -- reference programs and complexity). The Government requests responses by 11 March 2005 to support ongoing acquisition planning. Responses should be submitted via email in electronic form in MS Word 2000 or newer format or PDF format to carol.laechelt@losangeles.af.mil with a follow-up signature hard copy of the submission to SMC/GPK, Attn: Carol Laechelt, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1866, El Segundo, CA 90245-4659. All responses must conform to 8.5 x 11-inch pages, with font no smaller than 12-point, with a maximum of 8 pages. The Gantt chart is not included in the page limitation. For access to the GPS III Bidder's Library, click "New Users Register Here" at https://gps.losangeles.af.mil/gpslibrary/, or contact Mr. John Pezan at newaccount@losangeles.af.mil. If respondents wish to include proprietary data, they must adhere to DFAR 227.7103-10 Contractor Identification and Marking of Technical Data to be furnished with Restrictive Markings. This request is for planning purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Solicitation, a Request for Quotes (RFQ), or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained in the RFI. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this RFI.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Contractor's facility
- Record
- SN00754954-W 20050220/050218212901 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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