SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- SPACE GEODESY SLR
- Notice Date
- 5/2/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.Y, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- RFI-2013SpaceGeodesySLR
- Response Due
- 6/7/2013
- Archive Date
- 5/2/2014
- Point of Contact
- Sislyn P Barrett, Contracting Officer, Phone 301-614-5533, Fax 301-286-5373, Email Sislyn.P.Barrett@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Sislyn P Barrett
(Sislyn.P.Barrett@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Description The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Geodesy Project (SGP) is soliciting information to improve its understanding of the interest, capabilities, and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for planning the construction, deployment, and operation of the next generation Space Geodesy (SG) Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) Stations that will be part of a new NASAs Space Geodetic Network (SGN). NASA is considering the construction of up to ten new SLR stations that will contribute to the larger Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). One of the main objectives of SGP is to produce the necessary observations for realization of the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF). Scientific objectives dictate the desire for a TRF definition with accuracy of 1 mm and stable to 0.1mm/yr (millimeters per year), including geocenter and with a scale accurate to 0.1ppb (parts per billion), and stable to 0.01 ppb/yr. (Source: Gross et al., 2009). This is a factor of 10-20 beyond current capability. The NASA SGN will comprise integrated, multi-technique next generation space geodetic observing systems, as the core NASA contribution to a global network designed to produce the higher quality data required to maintain the Terrestrial Reference Frame and provide information essential for fully realizing the measurement potential of the current and coming generation of Earth Observing spacecraft. It is anticipated that to achieve the desired level of accuracy and stability the SG sites will collocate and use in unison several key techniques of observation, including Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS). Other secondary instruments (such as gravimeters) may be added. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NASA will take procurement action in this matter. Further, neither NASA, nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred in furnishing this information. Background NASAs Space Geodesy Project (SGP) is a new initiative and is part of NASAs response to two important reports from the National Research Council (NRC): 1) Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond, a.k.a. the Earth Science Decadal Survey; and 2) Precise Geodetic Infrastructure, National Requirements for a Shared Resource. These reports highlight the importance of maintaining and enhancing the geodetic infrastructure that enables modern geodesy and supports NASAs Earth Science missions. Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring, with the highest precision, the Earths geometric shape, gravity and orientation in space, including their evolution in time. Currently, the main space-geodetic systems used to observe the geodetic properties of the Earth are: Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) (including the US Global Positioning System, GPS), and the French Doppler Orbitography and Radio-Positioning by Integrated Satellite (DORIS) System. These space-geodetic observations also provide the basis for the reference frame that is needed in order to assign coordinates to points and objects and thereby determine how those points and objects move over time. The global geodetic infrastructure, with its terrestrial- and space-based assets, enables the realization of the Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF), the foundation for virtually all airborne, space-based and ground-based Earth observations.Through its tie to the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF) by time-dependent Earth orientation parameters, it is also fundamentally important for interplanetary spacecraft tracking and navigation. The TRF determined by geodetic measurements is the indispensable foundation for all geo-referenced data used by society. Furthermore, modern geodetic measurements are making fundamental contributions to mitigating the impact of geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, debris flows, landslides, land subsidence, seal level change, tsunamis, floods, storm surges, hurricanes and extreme weather. Geodesy is also at the heart of present day ocean studies and contributes to atmospheric science and hydrological studies. As part of NASAs response to the two aforementioned NRC reports, the SGP is developing a prototype Space Geodesy (SG) station located at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland. In addition to the other Space Geodetic techniques the prototype SG station contains the next generation SLR station, called NGSLR. Additional information on the SGP and the prototype station can be found on the SGP website at http://space-geodesy.nasa.gov. Requested Information This RFI is limited to obtaining the information necessary to assess the interest and improve understanding of existing capabilities for addressing the SG initiative as it relates to Satellite Laser Ranging. The next-generation SLR prototype (NGSLR) serves as the basis for future NASA production units, which are here called SGSLR stations. Therefore, the scope of this RFI includes: 1) the advanced engineering design effort to transition from the NGSLR prototype design into the first production unit of SGSLR; 2) developing the first SGSLR production units, including construction and testing; 3) site preparation and infrastructure development, 4) completing the on-site, field installation; 5) successfully completing on-site acceptance testing; and 6) operation of a SGSLR station for a period of time after acceptance testing. GSFCs Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory (GGAO) facility is available for production unit integration and shall be used for system acceptance testing prior to deployment and installation at the remote site. Site Preparation NASA is performing site surveys at key geodetic locations to support the development of site specifications and determine future Space Geodesy stations. Each potential Space Geodesy site, depending upon its location, may require varying amounts of site preparation. Respondents may use the NASA assessment, if it is available, as a basis for estimating the cost of implementation.Any use of additional site-specific data in the cost estimation should be stated in the response. For purposes of this RFI respondents should use costs associated with setting up and testing the first station at Greenbelt, Maryland and then moving this station to Goldstone, California. The site survey for Goldstone was not available at the time of this RFI, but assessments for other potential sites are available as examples from the SGP website. NGSLR An overview of the current NGSLR prototype system is located on the RFI web page. In particular, see NGSLR Hardware Manual: Supporting the Next Generation Satellite Laser Ranging System. Some high level requirements for the NGSLR system are listed below: Twenty-four hour tracking of LEO, LAGEOS & GNSS satellites One millimeter normal point precision on LAGEOS Stability at the better than +/- 2 millimeter on ground targets Stable agreement with MOBLAS-7 with < 2 millimeter (1 σ) error with a < 2 centimeter mean bias Semi-autonomous operations Aircraft avoidance system for all satellite ranging Mean time between failures: > 4 months A next generation, production unit NGSLR system will be deemed successful when the following have been achieved: (1) Successful completion of a collocation test with MOBLAS-7 demonstrating the above requirements on LAGEOS 1 and 2 in both day and night tracking. (2) Successful operation of the autotracking. (3) Automated tracking for a full shift. (4) Demonstrated tracking of the full range of the ILRS satellites. (5) Demonstrated tracking of LEO to GNSS satellites during both day and night. Disclaimer: It is not NASAs intent to publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained during this solicitation. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as Proprietary or Confidential will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 entitled Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes. This RFI is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information submitted in response to this RFI. 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 offerors responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to all the points of contact as outlined below. As part of its assessment of industry capabilities, the NASA/GSFC may contact respondents to this RFI, if clarifications or further information is needed. Instructions to Respondents: NASA appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources including, but not limited to: NASA Centers, universities, university affiliated research centers, federally funded research and development centers, private or public companies, and government research laboratories. Respondents are required to address the following items and must properly identify/mark any classified and proprietary information: 1.NASA requires close adherence to the prototype NGSLR design. The design will remain NASAs intellectual property and is proprietary. An electronic library containing the NGSLR design, drawings, hardware manuals, software manuals and operating guides will be available within the next few months for interested companies. NASA will also make available the NGSLR software that will be released as open source. While it is understood that extensions and updates to this design will be required to make it a viable station that can be successfully operated for the next decade, requirements for this contract will be to use as much of the SLR station design as possible. Bidders to any future RFP should understand that they should not add company proprietary information to the design/ architecture of the new SLR systems as the SGSLR design and all software will remain NASA intellectual property and open source. Proprietary components, however, can be included in the new systems. Please identify any issues with this approach and provide suggestions for alternative approaches that address these issues. 2.Describe any relevant interest, experience, and capabilities in serving as: 1) a designer, developer, manufacturer of Satellite Laser Ranging System(s), or 2) providing a specific service, capability or product in manufacturing and deploying a production SLR system. Please give contact information for these. 3.Describe any relevant experience in doing business internationally, especially in building facilities in remote international areas. Please list the countries and the work performed. 4.The government is considering sharing the development of the new SLR systems between government and contractor where products from each group and their interfaces would be clearly defined. One examples of this might be the government development of the algorithms and associated software for an improved mount model for use in the new SLR stations. In another example the government could provide as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) an enhanced star camera or a FPGA based SLR computer system. Finally, the government plans to participate in Integration & Testing of the new systems, as well as perform part of the Verification & Validation of the systems during Acceptance Testing. Please indicate if this might change the way you would respond to an RFP, identify any issues with this approach and provide suggestions for alternative approaches that address these issues. 5.The government is exploring a hybrid contract approach that would comprise of a core component of the SGSLR project and an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity portion. The government is interested in finding out (1) if potential contractors believe there are any significant issues with this approach, (2) which areas the vendors would suggest be included in the core component, and (3) what are the pros and cons to such an approach. Please address all three questions with respect to a hybrid contract type in your RFI response. 6.The government may purchase long lead-time items and provide them as GFE to the contractor to integrate with the rest of the SGSLR system in order to save time. Possible candidates for these items include the mount, telescope, laser, detector and radar.Please indicate any issues that you might see with this approach and/or if it might change the way that you respond to an RFP. 7.Please indicate if you would be interested in operating each new SLR system for a period of approximately 2 years after acceptance testing (during a period called commissioning), with options for future extended operations. 8.Describe any areas of technical/development, schedule, or programmatic risk associated with developing production-versions of the next generation SG stations. 9.Would your company be willing and capable of doing the site preparation for the SLR systems? This would include installation of the pad, power, telecommunications but not roads, tree clearing or extensive earth moving. Please answer for locations in the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) and for international sites. 10.Rough order of magnitude (ROM): The purpose of the ROM is to serve as guidance to develop budgets for the future implementation. Therefore, please provide ROM estimates and identify any non-recurring engineering costs for the following: Delivery of the first, production-version SGSLR station and one (1) follow-on station. For the purpose of the ROM estimate, assume each station must be installed and acceptance tests performed at NASA Goddards GGAO in Greenbelt, MD. After the first station has been accepted by the government, it should be deployed to Goldstone, California. i.Identify ROM costs and schedule for your relevant area of interest (e.g. prime SG system integrator, single system developer, or other) for developing, integrating, installing, and performing on-site acceptance tests and delivery for one (1) Space Geodesy SLR production system that meets the requirements listed above and in the supporting documentation. The schedule should provide an optimal balance between cost and timeliness of system delivery ii.Include advanced engineering for transitioning the NASA prototype design to a production SGSLR unit design (e.g. replacing obsolete parts and incorporating lessons learned). Assume integration and testing of the SGSLR systems prior to deployment is performed on-site at NASAs GGAO in Greenbelt, MD. Costs should be given to install pier, pad, facility, dome and all additional instruments including weather monitoring and cloud sensor. iii.Identify ROM costs and schedule for deploying the first SGSLR system to Goldstone, California after acceptance testing. It may be better to leave the facility, dome, weather station, cloud sensor, etc at GGAO to be used for the next SGSLR system. Indicate what parts of the facility and system will be moved to Goldstone from the first SGSLR system and what will be left behind for the next SGSLR system. Assume that a full installation must be done at Goldstone with no existing pier, pad or facility in place. iv.Identify ROM costs and schedule for delivery of one (1) follow-on SGSLR system or station and its installation and acceptance testing at GGAO v.Identify ROM costs for a two (2) year commissioning period for operating the first SGSLR station at Goldstone, California vi.Identify ROM costs, schedule, and risks for additional activities associated with the deployment of stations to either South Africa or Australia (assume NASA has existing international agreements and partnership arrangements in place for the partner station). vii.Identify any areas where relaxing the system requirements (such as mean time between failures) would provide significant costs savings, shorten the delivery schedule, or minimize risk. Provide a ROM estimate for these savings. b.Describe potential areas and approximate cost and schedule savings if eight (8) additional SGSLR stations were ordered via an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract. Indicate an approximate schedule for the build, installation and testing of these units, providing an optimal balance between cost and speed of delivery. 12. Provide the following: a. Company name, name of corporate point of contact, telephone number, full mailing address, and e-mail address; b. Size of the company, whether small business or not (and include small business category), number of years in business; affiliate information (if applicable): parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, experience with international site construction; c. Corporate competencies; d. Past performance information which reflects the companys relevant capabilities, experience, facilities, and/or manufacturing within the last five years. Please provide a brief description of the topic/effort; the value of the action; if your company was the prime contractor or the subcontractor; and the point of contact information (POC) of the customer (name of the company/Agency, customers name, phone number, and email address).   Instructions for Submitting RFI Response Responxes shall be submitted by June 7 no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Electronic submission is preferred. The responses shall be addressed in 15 pages or less, 12-point font size, one inch margins. Respondents are welcome to submit supplementary information. There is no page limit in supporting documentation Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf). Mark all responses: Space Geodesy SLR Submission Responses may be sent via electronic mail (in either Microsoft Word or ADOBE PDF format), regular mail, or fax to: S. Pauline Barrett Mail Stop 210.5 Goddard Space Flight Center Bldg. 22, Rm 114 Greenbelt, MD 20771. Tel. (301) 614-5533 Fax: (301) 286-5373 Sislyn.p.barrett@nasa.gov If you respond via regular mail or fax, please also provide an electronic copy in the above formats in addition to the printed version of your submission. Questions and comments are welcomed. All questions regarding and correspondence associated with this RFI should be conducted by email. For Additional Information Technical Point of Contact: For further information on this RFI, please contact Stephen Merkowitz, Space Geodesy Project Manager, at Stephen.M.Merkowitz@nasa.gov. The web page http://space-geodesy.gsfc.nasa.gov/news/SLR2013RFI.html will also be updated throughout the RFI period with relevant information. This presolicitation synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response.Respondents will not be notified of the results. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html. The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents 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=D&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.
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