SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- RLEP-LRO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, HIGH GAIN ANTENNA
- Notice Date
- 8/24/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 927110
— Space Research and Technology
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- RLEP-LRO-GSFC-08-24-05
- Response Due
- 9/23/2005
- Archive Date
- 8/24/2006
- Description
- Robotic Lunar Exploration Program Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Communication System, High Gain Antenna 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 high-rate mission measurement data return. Part of this system includes a dual-band S-/Ka-band High Gain Antenna (HGA). LRO will employ a single HGA which is deployed on a boom and pointed with an X/Y gimbal. The expected scope of work includes the mechanical/structural/thermal design, development, fabrication, assembly, testing and qualification, evaluation, and delivery of two (2) space flight qualified HGAs ? one protoflight, one flight. The existing RF design has been translated into mechanical requirements. The HGA is comprised of: (1) a reflector assembly, which includes a 75 cm diameter main reflector and a 13 cm diameter subreflector, supported by nominally three struts; and, (2) a Ka-band feed horn assembly, and (3) an S-band feed and cable assembly. Items (2) and (3) will be supplied as Government Furnished Equipment. The entire HGA assembly is mounted to a common interface mounting plate. The reflectors are similar to a classic conic Cassegrain design with a focal-to-diameter ratio (F/D) of about 0.3, but are slightly shaped to maximize the RF peak gain. The Cassegrain configuration is used at Ka-band, while a prime feed configuration is used at S-band. This is enabled through a frequency selective surface (FSS) subreflector, allowing the S-band feed to be mounted above the subreflector and radiate through to the main reflector. The electrical interfaces presented by the HGA will be a WR-34 waveguide for Ka-band, and coaxial cable for S-band. The coaxial cable will have to be routed from the interface plate to the S-band feed. The reflector surfaces will be mathematically defined using cubic splines. A definition of the strut configuration will be made, with alternatives accepted pending government analysis and approval such that RF performance is not significantly affected by the blockage and diffraction. The FSS design will be specified through guidance on the composite subreflector material properties (dielectric constant and loss tangent) and a metallized pattern definition (a DXF file for a flattened surface can also be provided). The HGA will be expected to maintain performance after being subjected to the launch environment of a TBD launch vehicle, and as it experiences thermal extremes while it orbits the moon throughout all beta angles. Requested Response The LRO mission requests that interested parties provide inputs and suggestions as to how best to achieve the HGA development for the LRO mission. Since cost and schedule are discriminators in LRO?s eventual selection of any solution, 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: 1. Discuss a minimum-cost, minimum-risk method of achieving the HGA goals of LRO. Discuss the proposed architecture and components. Provide ROM estimates for procurement costs as well as schedule estimates ARO. Specific cost drivers should be identified to ensure a balanced approach to performance and cost. Discuss expected mechanical, thermal, and mass requirements of this solution. 2. Describe options to fabricate the FSS subreflector. 3. Describe strut configuration options to support the subreflector and S-band feed, and incorporate the coaxial cable, assuming a 0.5 cm diameter cable, weighing 16 g/ft with a 2.5 cm minimum bend radius. Assume the S-band feed is a cylindrical box, 10 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm thick, mounted above the subreflector. 4. Discuss any other methods, options or technologies you believe of benefit to the LRO and RLEP programs. 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 September 23, 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.
- Web Link
-
Click here for the latest information about this notice
(http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#117334)
- Record
- SN00878819-W 20050826/050824213532 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |