SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- COMMERCIAL LUNAR COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION REQUEST FOR STUDY INFORMATION
- Notice Date
- 8/19/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334220
— Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNH08ZDA010L
- Response Due
- 9/15/2008
- Archive Date
- 8/19/2009
- Point of Contact
- Barbara L.B. Adde, Policy Analyst, Office of Space Operations, Phone 202-358-1912, Fax 202-358-2848, />
- E-Mail Address
-
Barbara.Adde@nasa.gov<br
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, QUOTATION, OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE.WITHIN THE NAICS CODE 334220 - THIS RFI IS FOCUSED ON SPACE SATELLITES, COMMUNICATIONS,MANUFACTURING.A. Request Summary The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to establish sciencestations on the lunar surface beginning in 2013-2014, followed by human return to theMoon and establishment of the first lunar outpost beginning in 2020. Communications,networking, and navigation capabilities required to support these efforts could beprovided by the U.S. Government (USG), other international space agencies participatingin the Science and Exploration initiatives, or by private companies. NASA is seekinginformation regarding the extent of interest in commercially provided Communications,Networking, and/or Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) (abbreviated as Communicationsand Navigation or C&N) capabilities or services supporting the development and growth ofexploration, scientific, commercial, and other capabilities on the Moon over the next 25years, consistent with international law. In accordance with 15.201 (e), the information requested is for planning purposes onlyand is not intended to bind the USG. B. Background NASAs Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has proposed the creation of an InternationalLunar Network (ILN) beginning as early as 2013-2014. The objective of the ILN is toestablish a science network of surface stations. The data returned from these ILNsurface stations will enable construction of detailed three-dimensional computer modelsof the internal composition and dynamics of the Moon. Each station will simultaneouslyoperate a group of geophysical measurement instruments (e.g., seismometers and heat flowsensors). Stations will be placed at diverse locations on the Moon for periods of six toeight years. The space agencies of other countries have been invited to become partnersin the ILN and their participation is being studied concurrently with this Request forStudy Information (RFI). The diversity of surface sites may include far side locationsor power-constrained communications subsystems that will drive the need for lunarorbiting data relay and tracking capabilities.Interoperability of communications anddata transmissions between the participants lunar stations and their ground systems is agoal to enable flexibility in defining partner contributions, to open the exchange andintegration of information, and to enhance the probability of mission success.NASAs Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) is developing the launch vehicles,space transportation, and selected lunar surface systems supporting Human Lunar Return(HLR) by 2020 in accordance with the U.S. Space Exploration Policy and the NASAAuthorization Act of 2005 [PL 109-55].NASA has determined that the ExplorationArchitecture should establish an outpost at a polar location that can support longduration missions while also possessing the capability to perform short duration sortiemissions that can reach anywhere on the surface. NASA empowered by both PL 109-55 andthe U.S. Space Exploration Policy, is interested in both commercial and internationalparticipation in exploration. As part of its plan in pursuit of these goals, NASA seekswith this RFI to learn the level of commercial interest in lunar C&N. A paper describingthe results of the 2007 Lunar Architecture Team (LAT) Phase 2 C&N study can be downloadedfrom the public Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) web site at: https://www.spacecomm.nasa.gov/spacecomm/programs/system_planning/default.cfm NASA'sLunar Space Communication and Navigation Architecture (LAT2 2007) (June 2008, PDF, 2.8MB) The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Office within the Space Operations MissionDirectorate manages and directs the ground and space-based facilities and user servicesprovided to Science and Exploration missions by the existing Near Earth Network, DeepSpace Network, and geosynchronous Space Network, and is responsible for establishing thefuture space communications Lunar Network (LN). [Note that the SCaN Lunar Network and SMDInternational Lunar Network are completely different].The scope of the lunar network(LN) is still being developed but may include: lunar orbiting C&N satellites, groundstations to control the network, and lunar surface wired and wireless C&N systems. Thecombination of lunar Science through the ILN Program and lunar Exploration through theConstellation Program offers an evolutionary growth path for C&N capabilities over thenext two decades. To meet the anticipated needs of NASAs lunar science and explorationmissions, the SCaN Office will examine the potential for commercial opportunities forlunar C&N capabilities and services. C. Description of Anticipated Capabilities and/or ServicesThe SCaN Office anticipated capabilities in support of the NASA lunar exploration programinclude:(1)The capability to provide initial lunar C&N services to support SMDs ILNProgram. Depending on the definition of ILN requirements, this capability may be neededas early as 2013.(2)The capability to provide essential C&N to support ESMDs human exploration ofthe Moon. Depending on the definition of Exploration requirements, this capability maybe required as early as 2018. To determine the magnitude of the commercial opportunity,the extent of commercial communications and navigation capabilities available to augmentNASA services and capabilities must be determined. This has also been referred to asbasic or initial C&N and is intended to address the capability that will be providedby NASA rather than an external partner. NASA invites industry comment on definingessential C&N. The lunar C&N capabilities will be provided by NASA, other national space agency oragencies, private industry, or some combination of these options. NASAs goals in allscenarios are to maximize interoperability between participants C&N capabilities and toprovide a well defined evolutionary path that maximizes continued support for futureScience and Exploration missions.D. Information Requested Through this Request For Study Information, the Government desires to improve itsunderstanding of private industrys ability and interest to provide the anticipatedcapabilities and/or services. This Request For Study Information is one step of a largerstudy plan during 2008, that will culminate in a final NASA report that will addressaspects of commercial codevelopment of lunar C&N. No Request For Proposals (RFP) isanticipated to directly follow this RFI; however, NASA reserves the right to issue an RFPin the future if the study concludes that commercial lunar C&N capabilities are likely tobenefit NASA. It is emphasized that this Request For Study Information is for planningand information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by theGovernment to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay forinformation solicited.This RFI is open to international submissions.No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If asolicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA AcquisitionInternet Service. This study plan can be downloaded from the public SCaN web site at:https://www.spacecomm.nasa.gov/spacecomm/programs/system_planning/default.cfm CommercialLunar Communication and Navigate Study Plan for RFI (August 2008, PDF, 2 MB)Respondents are requested to provide information that addresses all or any subset of thefollowing topics:1. What communications, networking, and/or navigation services or capabilities would yoube interested in providing to NASA or should otherwise be available on a commercial basisover the next 20 years to meet the initial and/or expanded lunar C&N needs? 2. What is your organizations perspective on the commercial lunar C&N market over thenext 20 years?3. Keeping in mind NASAs requirement to address human safety and mission assurance, howshould essential C&N be defined to maximize commercial opportunity? 4. What type(s) of investment and/or procurement approaches or mechanisms would yourecommend be used?5. What international collaboration might you pursue or otherwise recommend to meet NASAand international needs for lunar C&N capabilities and services?6. In light of existing treaty obligations and legislation, what perceived barriers tocommercial activity (e.g., legal (Reference Material: The Outer Space Treaty of 1967:http://history.nasa.gov/1967treaty.html ), contractual, programmatic, organizational,or technical) may limit your ability to offer commercial C&N capabilities and services toNASA? What approach(es) would you recommend to mitigate those barriers? 7. What enablers of commercial activity would enhance your or others ability to offercommercial C&N capabilities and services to NASA? What approach(es) would you recommendto foster these enablers?8. What demonstrations do you envision to show capabilities and mitigate NASAs risks ofusing commercial C&N capabilities and services?9. What other strategies or approaches do you recommend that NASA pursue that wouldcontribute to successful cooperation between NASA, industry and/or other entities tocreate commercial lunar capabilities?For purposes of this Request For Study Information, capabilities or services may includebut are not limited to: terrestrial network services; terrestrial ground stations;Earth-orbiting capabilities; lunar orbiting capabilities; and lunar surface capabilities. Capabilities may be complete turnkey services; subsystems or components; partialsolutions such as applications for specific functions; or other capabilities believed tobe necessary to meet a portion of the anticipated needs. NASA does not require proprietary information; however, if the respondent submitsproprietary material it must be clearly marked with a protective legend and submitted ina file separate from nonproprietary information. The Government will safeguard theconfidentiality of any material marked as "Proprietary." NASA contractors underNonDisclosure Agreements may review material on NASAs behalf.Classified material mayalso be submitted with appropriate markings and prior arrangements, made by contactingthe NASA SCaN point of contact (POC) listed below. Classified responses must beaccompanied by an unclassified abstract. NASA invites potential responders to submit their response to this Request For StudyInformation by 4:00 PM EDT on 15 September 2008. The NASA SCaN Office will evaluate and maintain a database of the information from thisRequest For Study Information for applicability to future missions and acquisitions. The NASA SCaN Office will conduct a one-day workshop on 8 September 2008, near NASAHeadquarters in Washington, D.C. for NASA to discuss its approach in more detail and forrespondents to present their submissions and discuss questions both in an open forum and,if requested, in a confidential setting. Any organization interested in attending thisworkshop should sign up no later than 29 August 2008 at the public SCaN web site at: https://www.spacecomm.nasa.gov/spacecomm/programs/system_planning/default.cfmE. Summary of Key Information Limit submission to no more than 30 pages. Submission medium: CD or email containing information in searchable PDF format. No hardcopy is required. Number of copies required: One (1) copy of the CD or email is required. Due date: 15 September 2008, 4:00 pm EDT Address for submission of information: Barbara Adde, NASA HQ/Mail Suite 7L70, 300 E St.,SW, Washington, DC 20546-0001 NASA SCaN point of contact (POC) concerning this program: Barbara Adde, Policy &Strategic Communications Manager, Space Communications and Navigation Office, SpaceOperations Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration,Washington, DC 20546-0001. Telephone: (202) 358-1912. FAX: (202) 358-2830. E-mail:Barbara.Adde@nasa.gov.Point of Contact Name:Barbara AddeTitle:Policy/Strategic Communications ManagerPhone:202-358-1912Fax:202-358-2830Email:Barbara.Adde@nasa.gov
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