Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.4, Greenbelt, MD 20771

99 -- EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER POC Thomas S. Russell, Contracting Officer, (301) 286-2885. Pre-solicitation Release -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is formulating plans for the Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) within the Office of Mission to Planet Earth. This science-driven program is intended to identify and develop small satellite missions to accomplish scientific objectives in response to national and international research priorities that are not being addressed by current programs. ESSP will provide periodic ''windows of opportunity'' to accommodate new scientific priorities and infuse new scientific participation into the Mission to Planet Earth program. By launching ESSP missions on a frequent, regular basis, NASA will provide a mechanism by which pressing questions in Earth system science may be addressed in a timely fashion, permitting a continual improvement in our understanding of the Earth system and the processes that affect it. NASA intends to release the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the inaugural ESSP missions in mid-1996. This will be preceded by the release of a draft AO to provide prospective offerors with advance information and to solicit comments from the proposing community. On or about March 20, 1996, the Draft AO will be available electronically via Internet at the MTPE ''Home Page'': http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/mtpe/ under the ''MTPE Research Announcements'' section or via anonymous ftp at: ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/mtpe. A paper copy of the ESSP Draft AO can be made available to those who do not have access to the Internet by calling (202) 358-3552 and leave a voice mail message. Please leave your full name and address, including zip code, and your telephone number, including area code. The solicitation will be open to all categories of organizations including educational institutions, industry, nonprofit institutions, NASA Field Centers, and other governmental agencies, as well as foreign research institutions. Comments on the draft AO are requested and must be received within 15 calendar days of release. Comments may be submitted by fax to ''ESSP Draft AO Comments'' at (202)554-3024 or electronically submitted to essp_ao@jorge.hq.nasa.gov. This pre-solicitation notice is for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or Request for Quotation, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract. This procurement is subject to revision or cancellation at any time. The preliminary documents described in this notice constitute all the information concerning the ESSP procurement that will be furnished at this time. Specific information on the proposed procurement will be published in the Commerce Business Daily when formal solicitation of proposals is initiated. (0064)

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