NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Code 219 Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

A -- ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING DE VELOPMENT MCDONALD LASER RANGING STATION (MLRS) (CBD) SOL RF05-61886/255 POC Kaprice Lynch Harris, Contract Specialist, (301) 286-5043. NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to the University of Texas at Austin (UT) for the administration, operation, maintenance and engineering development of the McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS). This acquisition of research, development, analysis and operations is in support of the Space Geodesy and Altimetry Projects Office (SGAPO). The MLRS is a critical contributor to the global network data set obtained through tracking natural and artificial earth satellites. The location of MLRS is important in the distribution of the global satellite laser ranging data set. The data from this system at this location has been validated by co-location with other systems and by decades of analysis by the scientific community. The Contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the laser ranging equipment and the calibration of the equipment. UT will be required to modify existing equipment to more fully automate the data taking process. The data is used by SGAPO to study earth plate tectonic motion, to better determine the earth's gravity field, and to determine reference orbits and calibration data for altimetric satellites (TOPEX and ERS). Additionally, the data collected by MLRS from the moon is used by NASA and the international scientic community to study precisely the nature of earth rotation and polar motion. This requirement is a continuation of NAS5-30942 which is the existing effort. This effort requires highly qualied personnel who have extensive knowledge of the previous work performed. The proposed Contractor has provided this support for approximately 25 years. UT possesses unique knowledge and experience in the operation and maintenance of the MLRS which is invaluable to the SGAPO and could not be obtained from any other source. The period of performance of this cost-no-fee mission contract is a 1-year basic contract with four 1-year options. This requirement will be executed under the NASA/GSFC Mid-Range procedures. The statutory authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2034 (C)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. Any other persons desring consideration for this requirement must fully identify their interests and capabilities within fifteen (15) days of the data of publication of this synopsis to the GSFC Contracting Officer listed above. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0341)

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