Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 09, 2014 FBO #4460
MODIFICATION

B -- Request for Information on Commercial Sources for Solar Wind Data and Hosted Payloads

Notice Date

2/7/2014
 

Notice Type

Modification/Amendment
 

NAICS

517919 — All Other Telecommunications
 

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office, SSMC2 - 11th floor /OFA61, 1325 East West Highway, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, United States
 

ZIP Code

20910
 

Solicitation Number

RFISolarWind
 

Archive Date

4/12/2014
 

Point of Contact

Joseph Feibel, Phone: 301-628-1349, Patricia Mulligan,
 

E-Mail Address

joseph.feibel@noaa.gov, patricia.mulligan@noaa.gov
(joseph.feibel@noaa.gov, patricia.mulligan@noaa.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

Request for Information on Commercial Sources for Solar Wind Data And Hosted Payloads INTRODUCTION NOAA has received input from multiple Requests for Information (RFIs) on the subject of solar wind and and CME Imagery since 2003 indicating that there is a cost effective market capability and willingness to supply these observations through data sales and hosted payload opportunities. We wish to receive updated information on the market's capabilities and pricing data for these purposes. We are also interested in receiving information from technology suppliers supporting such services (see Section IV below). In accordance with the 2010 National Space Policy and NOAA's longstanding policy and practice of making NOAA environmental satellite data available on a full and open basis, it is further anticipated that all data, either purchased under a commercial contract, or received from government furnished equipment (GFE) sensor flown on a commercial platform, will be freely available to the public. BACKGROUND Geomagnetic storms are the type of space weather that causes the costliest and most widespread economic damage. NOAA issues a geomagnetic storm alert based on in-situ solar wind measurements gathered from a platform on the sun-earth line. NOAA currently uses data from the NASA‘s ACE satellite for this purpose, and will begin to use data from the DSCOVR mission in 2015. Current satellite propulsion restricts those platforms to the L1 orbit giving approximately 15-60 minutes alert time. We also issue storm condition watches of up to 3 days in advance based on the information from coronal mass ejection (CME) imagery acquired from NASA satellites, SOHO and STEREO. We are planning for replacement of all these data streams in 2020, in a DSCOVR Follow On mission, and are seeking information on commercial options. Cost effective solutions are a primary concern. I.NOAA BASE SERVICES All observations must be delivered with reliability sufficient to support forecasting requirements continuously and in real time (see Appendices A & B). 1.Solar wind data purchase: measurements must be made within 650,000 km of the sun-earth line at a distance of no further from the Sun than.99 AU (Sun-Earth L1). Solar wind measurements made at duty stations closer to the sun than L1are desirable as they would be have a significant forecast advantage, but must meet reliability requirements. We desire pricing information for purchasing data that meets these requirements which are more fully described in Appendix A. We require both calibrated and uncalibrated data, and documentation of the calibration algorithms. Duration of service for the data purchase is 5-10 years. 2.Hosted Payload Opportunity for Coronagraph: NOAA is also interested in a hosted payload opportunity on the solar wind platform(s) for a GFE coronagraph(s), whose specifications are described in Appendix B. DATA RECEPTION/GROUND SYSTEM NOAA has a requirement to distribute its space weather forecast products within 5 minutes of the observation being acquired. No ground data reception system has yet been designated for a DSCOVR F/O mission. The DSCOVR and ACE missions use the Real Time Solar Wind Network (RTSWnet), an international collaboration including NOAA antennas at Wallops, VA and Fairbanks, Alaska for downlink. There is no cost to NOAA for the participation of our international partners. Responders may assume for planning purposes that the RTSWnet is functional for a DSCOVR F/O. They are also free to suggest any other data delivery system they feel would be advantageous to the government. (See also Optional Services) RELIABILITY OF SERVICE Solar wind data and CME imagery are delivered to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, CO for use in critical space weather forecasts. Solar wind data must be received at SWPC continuously within 5 minutes of observation. CME imagery must be received within 15 minutes of observation. We are particularly interested in a detailed description of the architectural approach offerers would propose to achieve the government's need for reliability of service through commercial service. USE OF ADVANCED PROPULSION At the time of the release of this RFI there will not yet have been a demonstration of solar sail technology with sufficient navigational control to maintain artificial Lagrange orbits (ALOs) which would allow longer lead time for geomagnetic storm warnings or to hold positions out of the ecliptic. However we are aware that such capability is likely to be demonstrated within the next two years. Therefore the architectural solution space using solar sails is neither encouraged nor precluded in this Request. If proposed service would employ solar sail technology, responders should take great care with their description of how they would ensure reliability of service. II.NOAA OPTIONAL SERVICES NOAA is not committed to using the services described herein, but requests cost information on these potential services for planning purposes. Data relay - NOAA does not yet have final plans for the ground system for a solar wind mission in the 2020 timeframe. We currently use the RTSWnet. (See Appendix C) If solar sail technology is sufficiently demonstrated in the 2020 timeframe we would be interested in the price of relaying our solar wind and CME imagery data through a satellite elevated out of the ecliptic at elevations between 23- 35 degrees to one or more of those stations. (See also Additional Federal Agencies' Potential Interests) Responders are free to address this option service as a supplemental operational demonstration that would not have to meet the reliability standard of operational service. III.ADDITIONAL FEDERAL AGENCIES' POTENTIAL INTERESTS This RFI is released for the purpose of gathering estimated pricing information on cost-effective new services for NOAA requirements. Responders may also wish to consider whether any of the NSF communication services requirements could be met using the architecture developed for NOAA's requirements and to provide pricing information for such services. National Science Foundation (NSF)Antarctic Communications: NSF has a requirement for communications from its Antarctic stations, including Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station located at the geographic South Pole. NSF issued an RFI (2011) to industry for recommendations to address the unique challenges associated with providing high bit rate communications for South Pole Station, with particular interest on the exfiltration of large daily data volumes from South Pole Station to CONUS. Not considered in the industry responses was the use of atypical space geometries. NSF is interested in the technical and economic feasibility for leveraging libration point orbits of interest to NOAA as opportunities for data relay services. Data exfiltration requirements may be found in the requirements specifications associated with the 2011 RFI, located in the FedBizOpps archive at this web address: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/NSF/DACS/DACS/NSF_SATCOM_RFI_2011/listing.html (see Attachment 1, United States Antarctic Program Communications Mission Needs Assessment, pp. 1-10). NSF is interested in receiving information regarding commercial end-end data relay services, where NSF provides the South Pole earth station infrastructure and operations, as well as NSF terrestrial data network interconnection with a downlink reception station(s). South Pole Station uplink earth station sizing and downlink reception location are open parameters that should be included in the feasibility determination. NSF intends to utilize this information for continuing alternatives analysis with current solution sets that use various combinations of legacy inclined operation geosynchronous satellites. Finally, responders should be aware that copies of the hardware satisfying NOAA requirements could also satisfy certain requirements for NASA's Heliophysics and Near Earth Object Programs. There is no schedule yet for these possible future procurements, information about the potential market is supplied for your consideration in business planning. Information Requested: Information required in responses for NOAA Base services: is described in item 1-3 below. Responders may respond for NOAA optional services if they wish. This RFI notice is for information purposes only. It is not a request for proposals, and does not obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. The Government will treat each submission as confidential. The Government is requesting that all interested vendors provide information regarding their experience and capability to perform these types of services. The NOAA may utilize the responses to this RFI to conduct additional market research. Information obtained from this RFI, and the subsequent meetings with the vendors, if any, may be utilized to assist the NOAA in developing a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ). Responses are limited to 30 pages and should describe in detail: 1.Technical approach, including schedule for meeting the service. 2.Price of NOAA base services. Prices should be supplied for 5-10 years of data purchase. Responders should indicate if they need a level of milestone payments prior to launch and data reception and are free to suggest the most cost effective pricing profile. However a substantial portion of payment should be assumed to be scheduled upon data receipt. Responders may provide information on alternative approaches to service reliability if they desire. 3.Business approach: Demonstrate the responders' corporate ability to provide service. This will include assets, experience, documentation of needed partners, investors, insurance, frequency allocations, technology designs or necessary patents etc. Satellite, subsystem and sensor Suppliers: NOAA will be happy to receive information from suppliers on the capabilities and prices of their technologies which could contribute to meeting the requirements described in this RFI. If you will not be directly offering the data sale or hosted payload but believe your firm may have technologies that can benefit this RFI, please consider submitting your capabilities to NOAA. IV. Request for Information [RFI] Submission Deadline Any questions pertaining to the RFI must be submitted electronically to Joseph.Feibel@noaa.gov not later than 11:00AM EST on February 20, 2014. Technical responses and estimated pricing to this RFI will be electronically submitted to Joseph.Feibel@noaa.gov not later than 11:00AM EST on March 28, 2014. The Government is also collecting information from all business sizes including potential areas of Sub-Contracting interest for Small Business. Please include your DUNS number and Business Size and Type in your response. Small Business may indicate in its response which areas it is interested in for possible subcontracting opportunities. The electronic copy of your response must be in a searchable ".pdf format" and readable by the Adobe Acrobat Reader. NOTE: This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice will not be returned. In submitting a response, you are solely responsible and accountable for all of the expenses associated with your response. APPENDIX A: SOLAR WIND DATA REQUIREMENTS: Continuous data flow, real time (within 1 minute of measurement) 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Data must be of useable quality during all levels and types of disturbed space weather measured at a location permitting ~ one hour alert time e.g. L1. Conceptual Sensor Characteristics are derived from heritage sensors, smaller sensors may be available. Magnetic field vector measurements a. At least one vector measurement per minute (Bx, By, Bz) b. Must deliver data in GSM coordinates in real time c. Range: 0.1 to 100 nT for each component (along positive or negative axis) d. 0.1 nT relative accuracy with 2.0 nT absolute accuracy Plasma Ion Measurement a. At least one measurement of the solar wind velocity vector (Vx, Vy, Vz), average ion temperature, and ion density moments every minute b. Must deliver data in GSM coordinates in real time c. Velocity range 200 to 1500-km/sec with 5% relative accuracy d. Temperature range: 40,000 to 2,000,000 K with 20% relative accuracy e. Density range: 1 to 100 cm-3, with 20% absolute accuracy Characterization of Low Energy ION Particle population a. At least one set complete set of measurements every 5 minutes b. At least 4 different differential flux channels covering the energy range from 50 keV to 1 MeV c. Relative accuracy of 20 % Data must be delivered to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center at Boulder, CO Conceptual Sensor Characteristics: 1. Magnetometer Established heritage on deep space missions Nominal range +/- 256 nT full scale, 12-bit resolution per axis, 0.0625 nT digital resolution per sample 0.1nT relative accuracy and 2.0 nT absolute accuracy Mass 1 kg, power 1 W, data rate ~300 bps 2. Plasmas Ion (Faraday Cup Design) Electrostatic analyzer (ESA) with energy range from 100 cV -22 keV One instrument covers entire range Two heads for 3 axis stabilized design, one head for a spinner Heritage on many spaceflight missions Energy range and accuracy well within heritage sensors Mass 3.5 kg; power 4.0 Watts, data rate ~600 bps per unit 3. Low Energy Ion Particle Population Mass 2.2 kg, power 3 W, data rate ~500 bps 4. Common power and data unit APPENDIX B: CORONAL MASS EJECTION IMAGER REQUIREMENTS: Coronal Imagery Pointing Knowledge - The line of sight pointing knowledge shall be 25 arc-secs, (Goal: 12.5 arc-secs). The direction of solar north shall be known to within 1° (Goal: 0.5°). Data must be of useable quality during all levels and types of disturbed space weather Field of View - The field of view (FOV) shall be an annulus, centered on the Sun. The inner radius of the annulus shall be 3.7 Rsun. The outer radius of the annulus shall be at least 17Rsun. Point Response - the image spatial resolution shall be 50 arc-secs. This requirement shall be met at the radius which is the average of the inner and outer radii of the FOV. Absolute Accuracy - The data shall be calibrated to an absolute accuracy of 25%. Data Cadence - The sensor shall be capable of achieving a cadence of at least one full-FOV image at least every 15 min. The sensor shall be capable of meeting the requirements with an exposure time of less than 15 seconds. Data Latency - Data latency shall not exceed 15 minutes (delivery to NOAA/SWPC) Conceptual Sensor Characteristics Mass: 17 kg Dimensions: 1. 517 X 175 mm cylinder 2. 680 X 130 mm cylinder Power ~ 12 W Field of View alternatives: 1 - 4.5 degrees (4-17 solar radii) coronagraph 0.75 - 5 degrees (3-20 solar radii) coronagraph APPENDIX C: REAL TIME SOLAR WIND NETWORK (RTSWnet) DESCRIPTION The Real Time Solar Wind network (RTSWnet) is a partnership of ground stations around the globe managed by NOAA/SWPC. All partners incur their own costs with the understanding that all data received by the RTSWnet will be freely available to the partners. Two of the current stations use 6m diameter radio dishes to receive data and all other stations use larger radio dishes and all partners are capable of receiving S-band frequencies (2215 - 2275 MHz). The current list of RTSWnet partners and their locations are given below. There can be no assurance that any of these stations will be participating in the network at the time of the DSCOVR follow-on. It is reasonable to assume that a network of stations capable of tracking DSCOVR continuously will be in operation at the end of the DSCOVR mission. Station 1 35.711386 N, 139.488462E, Alt = 84.93m Station 2 33.428056N, 126.295639E, Alt=84m Station 3 53.329722N, 13.07E, Alt=115m Station 4 37.946944N, 75.461944W, Alt=18m Station 5* 39.990631N, 105.264136W, Alt=1671m *Station 5 is limited to an azimuth range of 136-235 deg, and elevation range of 8-67 degrees.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/AGAMD/RFISolarWind/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: SSMC2 - Room 11330, 1325 East West Highway, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910, United States

Zip Code: 20910
 

Record

SN03284529-W 20140209/140208000503-f360a16c05182f3a3b42f59d45f7fece (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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