SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- White-Light Project
- Notice Date
- 6/20/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mountain Region Acquisition Division, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, CO, 80305-3328
- ZIP Code
- 80305-3328
- Solicitation Number
- NWWX9000600016DT
- Response Due
- 7/11/2006
- Archive Date
- 7/26/2006
- Description
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Physical Sciences Division (PSD) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with the Catholic University of America, Office of Sponsored Programs, 620 Michigan Ave, Washington, DC 20064. NOAA/SEC physicists V. Pizzo and D. Biesecker have recently been awarded a NASA LWS grant to develop new techniques for applying multi-view white-light observations of the solar corona to improve understanding and forecasting of Earthward-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The image data for the project will be provided by the NASA STEREO mission, which should begin producing binocular views of the corona in mid-summer of 2006. The project will utilize adaptations of two different techniques to greatly enhance our ability to characterize the properties of CMEs near the Sun. One is the geometric localization technique developed at SEC, which is based upon simple triangulation of points along the periphery of the CME as seen from the two views provided by the twin STEREO spacecraft. This will afford rough estimates for the CME location, size, shape, and motion. The other technique is the polarization analysis developed by Dr. Moran (at Catholic University) and Dr. Davila (at NASA/GSFC). This method takes advantage of the subtle signal contained in the polarized component in white light CMEs observed by the twin spacecraft. It will complement the geometric localization analysis by providing an impression of the finer structure within the CME as well as by yielding an independent estimate of key CME properties inferred by geometric localization. Dr. Moran's responsibilities within the project are twofold. He shall provide the instrumental calibrations, background corrections, and methodology needed to extract accurate polarization data from the downlinked images in the low-resolution "beacon" data stream utilized in the project. In addition, his expertise as a consultant for polarization issues will be vital to combining successfully the results of polarization and geometric localization techniques in the new area of multi-view coronal analysis. Dr. Moran, in collaboration with Dr. Davila, pioneered the use of polaroid imagery of CMEs using single-view SOHO/LASCO coronagraph data. In a landmark paper in Science (305, 66, 2004), they demonstrated for the first time that meticulously corrected polarization data could be used to obtain an impression of the three-dimensional structure of CMEs, a feat long hoped for by coronal physicists but never actually achieved. Dr. Moran's exhaustive work on the instrumental corrections was a key element in unlocking the power of polarization information for this application. In addition, his close collaboration with Dr. Davila, project scientist for the STEREO mission, his experience with handling real SOHO/LASCO data, and his familiarity with the STEREO instrumentation make him a unique fit to provide the corrected images and analytic expertise needed for the SEC project. Although several other researchers have since published studies in this highly specialized area, it has been judged, based upon a survey of the recent scientific literature and consultations with colleagues considered expert in this field, that Dr. Moran has by far the best grasp upon the proper calibration, reduction, and analysis of coronagraph polarization data. The period of performance will be July 17, 2006 to June 16, 2007, with an option to extend for two more years, contingent upon acceptable performance and the availability of funds. The work is to be conducted at the recipient's home institution, making use of its equipment and resources. This announcement is being issued under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13 (under $100,000). Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Any responses shall be received in writing no later than July 11, 2006. Anticipated Award date is July 12, 2006.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO
- Zip Code: 80305
- Zip Code: 80305
- Record
- SN01073589-W 20060622/060620220255 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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