SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- COMMERCIAL DATA SERVICES RELATED TO SATELLITE TO GROUND DATA TRANSMISSION
- Notice Date
- 4/5/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton,VA 23681-0001
- ZIP Code
- 23681-0001
- Solicitation Number
- SS-COMMUNICATION
- Response Due
- 4/29/2011
- Archive Date
- 4/5/2012
- Point of Contact
- Robert B. Gardner, Contracting Officer, Phone 757-864-2525, Fax 757-864-7898, Email Robert.B.Gardner@nasa.gov - Teresa M Hass, Contracting Officer, Phone 757-864-8496, Fax 757-864-8863, Email Teresa.M.Hass@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Robert B. Gardner
(Robert.B.Gardner@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting studies forcommercial data services related to satellite-to-ground data transmission, archiving, anddistribution in the continental US. The studies are intended to outline commercialsolutions to the need to distribute the data for future NASA payloads on commercialcommunications satellites supporting science and technology missions from geostationary(GEO) orbits. Data will be transmitted by the commercial host spacecraft to a groundstation (see Figure 1 in Attachment 1). From there, the data will be distributed tousers.A reverse data link from the payload operations control center to the payload onthe commercial host is also required. The process of developing and operating thepayload within the constraints of the hosted payload process is a new development methodfor NASA. The distribution of the payload data in real-time, or near real-time, overcommercial networks is also a new operational concept for NASA. Successful concepts inboth areas are expected to open the opportunities for scientific and engineering payloadsto operate in a commercially sustainable manner in the future.The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information to support the formulation of a futuremission using commercial geostationary capabilities and to investigate options forprocuring uplink and downlink data services to the commercial host for a NASA payload andground data distribution support for operations of a future mission.An example reference payload for such a mission would be an earth-imaging system coveringselected bands in the IR through the UV spectrum, a large format imaging detectorgenerating over 1Mpixel per image, support electronics for power and thermal management,on-board computing for processing schedule-driven commands and for packaging science andstate-of-health data for transmission to the ground. The payload is expected to requirean 80 Mbps downlink and may be able to provide processing support for data compressionand rate buffering, if required.The payload will transmit its science data and supporting health and status data to theground using the capabilities of the commercial host. That data will then be distributedto the payload control center and scientific partners.The payload control center willtransmit commands to the hosted payload as needed to schedule operations and maintainperformance. The end-to-end data routing and distribution between the NASA controlcenter, the scientific partners, and the commercial satellite point of presence will besustained using commercial networks. The link between the teleport and the commercialhost will be sustained through the appropriate links for the commercial host.Nominally the hosted payload will operate on a 24x7 basis. However, the payload is asecondary on the commercial host and the commercial host may suspend operations as deemednecessary for host operational safety.Additionally, the payload may suspend operationsduring times of station-keeping maneuvers or eclipses.The payload is being designed fora lifetime between 3 and 10 years.The hosted payload will be operated from a NASA payload control center. Forconceptualization purposes, we will assume this will reside at NASA Langley ResearchCenter. This will be the only authorized point of origin for commands to the hostedpayload either by direct output from the control center or by an operator using thecontrol center as a remote proxy.The hosted payload science and health and safety payload data will be delivered to thepayload control center. Data will also be delivered to the cooperating science centers. For conceptualization purposes, we are assuming one additional site located in Colorado.NASA solicits industrys questions, comments, and areas for the government to considerrelative to this concept. In addition to the general comments, the government seeksanswers to the specific questions provided in Attachment 1.ObjectivesThe Objectives of this RFI are as follows:Gather information from industry on the conceptual approach to the datanetworking and identify any recommended alternative approachesIdentify industry capabilities to meet the required capabilities and identifyareas that affect cost, risk, and scheduleSupport the development strategy for a potential acquisitionResponsesThis section contains all information required to submit a response. No additional formsor other materials are required. NASA appreciates responses from all capable andqualified sources that meet the following format.Section 1- A non-proprietary cover sheet that identifies this RFI by number and title,organization making the response, responders technical and administrative points ofcontact which includes names, titles, postal address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mailaddresses.Section 2 A description of the proposed architecture linking the scientific payloadcontrol center, the remote science center, the commercial host teleport, and the linkswith the commercial host satellite. Include answers to the questions in the BroadApproach section of Attachment 1.Section 3 Responses to the Cost and Schedule Drivers section of Attachment 1.Section 4 Responses to the Contracts/RFP section of Attachment 1.Section 5 Description of company capabilities and past experience performing networkingmanagement/development and activities similar to this concept.All responses are to be for general access by Government evaluators. Any materialprovided may be used in developing future solicitations. Any proprietary informationsubmitted must be clearly and separately identified and marked and will be appropriatelyprotected. The Government will not be responsible for any proprietary information notclearly marked.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. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these sitesfor the release of any solicitation or synopsis.Responses must include the following: name and address of firm, size of business;average annual revenue for past 3 years and number of employees; ownership; whether theyare large, or any category of small business*, number of years in business; affiliateinformation: parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, primecontractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customerscovering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed, contract numbers,contract type, dollar value of each procurement; and point of contact - address and phonenumber). Please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-typeproduct. A commercial item is defined in FAR 2.101.This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as acommitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemedfully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based onresponses hereto. Technical questions should be directed to Stephen Horan atstephen.j.horan@nasa.gov. All other questions should be directed to Brad Gardner atRobert.B.Gardner@nasa.gov. Responses are not page limited and should be emailed tostephen.j.horan@nasa.gov and Robert.B.Gardner@nasa.gov by 29 April 2011. Any referencednotes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/NASA/LaRC/OPDC20220/SS-COMMUNICATION/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02417228-W 20110407/110405234647-a000923841c243952eb2ea9fbbd2016c (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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