SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Provide a Co-Investigator in support of IXPE and assistance to the IXPE Principal Investigator
- Notice Date
- 4/26/2017
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Office of Procurement, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama, 35812, United States
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- NNM17619371R
- Archive Date
- 5/27/2017
- Point of Contact
- Shawn M. Craddock, Phone: 2569617308
- E-Mail Address
-
shawn.m.craddock@nasa.gov
(shawn.m.craddock@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- MSFC intends to enter into a sole-source contract with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in support of the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Project. Throughout the IXPE Phase B mission formulation and development (and Phases C-D, as required) Massachusetts Institute of Technology will provide a Co-Investigator who shall be a member of the IXPE Science Working Group and assist the IXPE Principal Investigator in defining the scientific scope of the mission which includes, where possible, participation in technical reviews, selection of targets and the scientific observing program. This decision is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, which implements the authority for 10 U.S.C. § 2304 (c)(1). Competition is impractical for the following reasons: Command of the fundamental science principles of x-ray astronomy is essential to enable the contractor to contribute to the scientific success of the IXPE mission. The proposed scientific research requires a thorough understanding of x-ray optics, instrumentation, and missions, as well as familiarity with the scientific requirements for IXPE. The Co-Investigator (Co-I) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has experience and scientific fluency in high-resolution X-ray and optical images of quasar jets, high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of active galactic nuclei and neutron star atmospheres, and in populations of gamma-ray sources. The Co-I is a recognized expert in X-ray polarization and broadband soft X-ray polarimetry, as well as in calibration of x-ray telescopes. The contractor has supported previous NASA missions (EUVE, Einstein, Chandra) and previous proposals for X-ray polarimetry missions. In addition, the contractor co-founded the International Astronomical Consortium for High-Energy Calibration (IACHEC), leading its working group on X-ray Effective Area calibration and co-leading its working group on statistical methods used in X-ray calibration. This combination of experience and expertise uniquely qualifies the contractor to serve as an IXPE Science Co-I. IXPE's low risk approach were key factors in its selection and utilization of Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the efforts identified will prove key in this regard. An implementation team familiar with these plans, their basis, and MSFC's capabilities to produce required hardware presents the project with the best opportunity to meet Science Mission Directorate commitments and expectations. Award of this effort to another contractor would fail to meet project requirements. The Government will not pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) http://www.sam.gov. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than the identified response date. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purposes of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
- Web Link
-
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(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/994c1274a644311774f909e0781f4704)
- Record
- SN04485569-W 20170428/170426234659-994c1274a644311774f909e0781f4704 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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