NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 215, Greenbelt, MD 20771

D -- PROCUREMENT OF COMMERCIAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES POC Elizabeth J. Austin, Contracting Officer (301)286-8367. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks sources of commercial telecommunications services capable of supporting science data delivery from and real-time control (telemetry/command) of Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites. An end-to-end service is sought; that is, from the earth terminal to NASA's satellite operations and data operations facilities. The location and quantity of earth terminals employed would be determined by the service provider based on the support requirements. NASA's target date for commencement of this service is September 1998. It is expected that reimbursement for services will be based upon fixed unit billing rates (including any amortized capital costs), however, the service provider is free to suggest alternative billing structures or payment plans. The set of missions requiring support includes the AM, PM, Chem, and Laser Altimetry (L-Alt) series, as well as the Landsat 7 mission. Successor missions within a given series will have a six-month overlap during which a 50%/100% support split is envisioned. All missions (except L-Alt) have sun synchronous orbits with an inclination of 98.2 degrees and an altitude of 705 Km. L-Alt has an orbit inclination of 94 degrees and an approximate altitude of 705 Km. The launch date and estimated average volume of high rate record science data to be downlinked for each satellite is: *AM: Launch Dates - 06/98, 06/04; Data Volume - 126 Gbits/orbit *PM: Launch Dates - 12/00, 12/06; Data Volume - 53 Gbits/orbit *Chem: Launch Dates - 12/02, 06/08; Data Volume - 24 Gbits/orbit *L-Alt: Launch Dates - 07/02, 07/07; Data Voulme - 1.5 Gbits/orbit *Landsat 7: Launch Date - 09/98; Data Volume - 225 to 300 Gbits/day (Note: Data volume estimates above are firm only for the first mission of each series) Approximately 2% of the science data transmitted each orbit (20% for PM, 0% for Landsat 7) would require delivery within one hour of receipt by the ground station. The remaining data would require delivery within 48 hours. There is a data loss allowance of 4% of all science data transmitted by a satellite over any 16 day period. High rate science data downlink (except L-Alt) will be via X-band, QPSK, 150 Mbps at sufficient power to achiecve the desired error rate when received by a ground antenna with a G/T of 33 dB/deg K (clear sky, 5 degree elevation). L-Alt science downlink will be via S-band at 2 Mbps (G/T of 22 dB/deg K). Science downlinks will be convolutionally coded (except Landsat 7). House-keeping telemetry (512 Kbps) and command (2Kbps) links will also be via S-band). Parties having the capability to provide these services are invited to respond to this synopsis. They are requested to submit a statement describing their business plan, technical approach, operational approach, and prior experience with space-ground communications and data distribution. Respondents should cite in their technical and operational approach those areas estimated to be the predominant drivers of the service cost. Statements should include assumptions about use of their existing assets, and the degree to which these assets and assets newly acquired for EOS support could be shared with other customers. Statements should also include a list of current and anticipated future customers who would be supported with the same facilities as EOS, and an estimate of the magnitude of EOS support relative to non-EOS customer support. Although detailed cost estimates are not required statements should include a discussion of suggested fee structure or payment plan and contractual conditions. Statements should not exceed 6 pages (excluding cover sheet). This synopsis is not a request for proposal and should not be interpreted as a commitment by the Government; however a formal RFP is contemplated if sufficient industry interest, capability and commitment are demonstrated. NASA will consider all information provided by respondents with experience in providing space-ground telecommunications services and with financial and programmatic resources in place to perform relevant tasks. Responses may be submitted by fax to (301) 286-1724, by mail to the contracting officer listed above in mail Code 215, or via e-mail to Elizabeth Austin@gsfc.nasa.gov. Acknowledgement of receipt of information will not be made. Responses must be submitted within 15 days of the publication date of this synopsis. Questions concerning this synopsis should be addressed to the contracting officer at the e-mail address listed above or by phone at (301) 286-8367. (0115)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0023 19960425\D-0006.SOL)