Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 217, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

99 -- SMEX-LITE MODULAR SOLAR ARRAY PANELS SOL RFP5-58397/230 POC Catherine A. Cavey, Contracting Officer, (301) 286-3721. The Goddard Space Flight Center intends to issue a Request for Proposal, RFP5-58397/230, for modular solar panels to provide electrical power for multiple Small-Class Explorer (SMEX) satellites beginning with the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) mission. The purpose of the WIRE mission is to study the evolution of starburst galaxies and search for protogalaxies. WIRE consists of a cryogenically-cooled 30-cm imaging telescope which will detect faint astronomical sources in two infrared wavelength bands. WIRE will be a free-flying, three-axis stabilized, sun-pointed spacecraft. It will have a mission lifetime of four months. The remaining missions will also be free-flying spacecraft with lifetimes of up to one year in low-earth orbit. The schedule for delivery is 48 weeks from contract award for the WIRE Flight Panels, and 78 weeks from contract award for the SMEX-Lite Panels. We expect to release the RFP in July 1996 and anticipate the award of a firm-fixed price contract. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. All requests for the RFP must be in writing to Catherine A. Cavey, at the above address or by fax to (301) 286-1720. See numbered Note 12. (0180)

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