NASA Langley Research Center, Industry Assistance Office, MS 144 Hampton, Va. 23681-0001

A -- FIRESAT PHASE A POC Industry Assistance Office, MS 144, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681-0001 (804) 864-2461. The NASA Langley Research Center is conducting a Phase A Study to determine the feasibility and conceptual design of a remote sensing mission to monitor biomass burning on a global scale from low earth orbit. This mission, called FireSat, will provide data on the spatial and temporal distribution of biomass burning which is critical to the identification and characterization of active fires, burn scars, smoke and aerosols, and vegetation stress. The scope of this Phase A study will include the design of the FireSat instruments, selection of an appropriate spacecraft bus and launch vehicle, scene radiance modeling, sensor calibration, and the definition of approaches to mission operations, management, acquisition, and product assurance. Of particular importance in the outcome of this study are accurate estimates of schedule and resources requirements for mission life cycle costs and the definition of an approach to the commercial utilization of FireSat science data products. The purpose of this notice is to solicit industry, university, or other government agency partners (hereinafter referred to as ''company'') who may be interested in participating in this Study and potentially entering into a teaming relationship leading to the development of this mission. It is anticipated that at the successful completion of the Phase A study, a FireSat mission proposal will be submitted to future NASA Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) Announcements of Opportunity. These conceptual mission study activities will be conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis. The duration of the study will be approximately four months. Interested parties are invited to submit a five page company profile of related experience in the areas of sensor development, spacecraft systems, launch vehicles, mission operations and related activities. This summary should also indicate the company's area of interest in this study and its willingness to team with other participants to form an Integrated Product Team. Company profiles should be submitted within three weeks from the date of publication of this announcement. Companies determined to be qualified will be notified and will be invited to prticipate in a one day FireSat forum at Langley Research Center to further discuss the top level mission requirements, objectives, and government/industry teaming relationships. All company proprietary rights will be maintained. In accordance with the provisions set forth in Federal Register Vol. 60, No. 180 dated September 18, 1995, and Federal Acquisition Circular No. 90-32, please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined as follows: (1) Any item, other than real property, that is of a type customarily used for nongovernmental purposes and that: (a) Has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public, or (b) Has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general public, (2) Any item that evolved from an item described in paragraph (1) of this definition through advances in technology or performance and that is not yet available in the commercial marketplace, but will be available in the commercial marketplace in time to satisfy the delivery requirements under a Government solicitation, (3) Any item that would satisfy a criterion expressed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition, but for--(a) Modifications of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace, or (b) Minor modifications of a type not customarily available in the commercial marketplace made to meet Federal Government requirements. Such modifications are considered minor if the change does not significantly alter a commercial item's function or essential physical characteristics. Minor is not defined by the specific dollar value or percentage basis of the change, (4) Any combination of items meeting the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (5) of this definition that are of a type customarily combined and sold in combination to the general public, (5) Installation services, maintenance services, repair services, training services, and other services if such services are procured for support of an item referred to in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this definition, and if the source of such services--(a) Offers such services to the general public and the Federal Government contemporaneously and under similar terms and conditions, and (b) Offers to use the same work force for providing the Federal Government with such services as the source uses for providing such services to the general public, (6) Services of a type ofered and sold competitively in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace based on established catalog or market price for specific tasks performed under standard commercial terms and conditions. This does not include services that are sold based on hourly rates without a fixed catalog price for a specific service performed, (7) Any item, combination of items, or service referred to in paragraphs (1) through (6), notwithstanding the fact that the item, combination of items, or service is transferred between or among separate divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of a contractor, or (8) A nondevelopmental item, if the procuring agency determines that the item was developed exclusively at private expense and has been sold in substantial quantities, on a competitive basis, to multiple State and local governments. You are requested to advise if you currently provide goods or services to the general public that coincide with this definition and provide literature which you believe meets or can be modified to meet the description. Further, if the requirement is considered to be commercial, provide any standard commercial terms and conditions, including any quality assurance practices that would normally apply to this requirement. Please submit company profiles to NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681-0001, Attn: Richard H. Couch, Mail Stop 472, (804) 864-1738. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not indicate a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. In responding reference SS246. (0306)

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