NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

M -- SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AIRBORNE REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH PROGRAM SOL RFI2-36300 -- BAD DUE 082897 POC Barbara A. Drake, Contracting Officer, Phone (415) 604-3002, Fax (415) 604-4646, Email bdrake@mail.arc.nasa.gov -- Barbara A. Drake, Contracting Officer, Phone (415) 604-3002, Fax (415) 604-4646, Email bdrake@mail.arc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/ARC/date.html#RFI2-36300 -- BAD. E-MAIL: Barbara A. Drake, bdrake@mail.arc.nasa.gov. Sources sought to staff and operate the Airborne Sensor Facility (ASF) at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. The facility provides support for NASA remote sensing science programs, by providing both flight hardware maintenance and operations, and ground-based data processing and analysis. Custom airborne hardware systems are designed and fabricated, and associated control and processing software and firmware are developed. The ASF has five component laboratories: 1) Flight Operations Lab. -- This group is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the NASA suite of multi- and hyper-spectral sensors, and large-format aerial mapping cameras. Many of these systems are customized versions of the Daedalus AA1268 or AA1278 series of airborne line-scan devices, including the Airborne Ocean Color Imager, Multi-spectral Atmospheric Mapping Sensor, Thematic Mapper Simulator, MODIS Airborne Simulator, and the MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator. The latter two systems include custom-built digitizers and data systems based on Berkeley Camera Engineering hardware. Other digital imaging devices include the Daedalus AA1285 Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner, and Videc and Richter electro-optical cameras. Aerial film cameras include a complement of Wild-Heerbrug RC-10, Hycon HR-732, and Itek IRIS II units. This lab is responsible for the maintenance of all the associated electronic (analog and digital,) optical, and mechanical subsystems; and for the in-flight operations of the above listed systems. 2) Data Processing and Analysis Lab. -- This group provides post-flight engineering analysis, data reduction, and distribution of data generated by the above systems. It also provides flight planning and mission coordination for large science data collection campaigns. Data from each system is analyzed, using image processing techniques, to evaluate quality and system performance (NEdR, NEdT, MTF, exposures and gains, etc.) and overall mission success. Pre-flight sensor parameters are also provided to flightoperations personnel for both digital and film systems. Custom software is generated to support image processing and product generation, written primarily in Interactive Data Language (IDL) and C. An enhanced version of the IDL/Environment for Visualization of Images (ENVI) software is used on Sun workstations for image analysis. A large geographic database of sensor coverage is maintained, using the Terramar Global Data Catalog software. This lab also directs the activities of the Ames aerial film processing laboratory. 3) Sensor Calibration Lab -- This lab performs the spectral, radiometric, and spatial characterization of the digital imaging devices (NASA aerial cameras are calibrated by USGS.) This optics facility uses monochromators, a Fourier transform interferometer, a large collimator, and several standard radiance sources to quantify the spectral response function (SRF,) radiometric response, and Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of each of the above listed sensors. Measurements are sometimes performed in an environmental chamber to simulate flight conditions. Integrating spheres are calibrated using a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) source, and a transfer radiometer. Field ground-truth calibrations are also conducted using a portable spectro-radiometer. Optical alignments are performed on the sensor telescopes and detector arrays. 4) Systems Development Lab -- This lab designs, builds, and modifies airborne data collection systems. It includes an electrical, mechanical, optical, and software engineer. It most recently produced the MODIS Airborne Simulator 50-channel digitizer, and is building other similar systems for hyperspectral data capture. A state-of-the-art modular digitizer design has been developed in conjunction with Berkeley Camera Engineering, based on the Motorola 56002 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA.) Current systems development is based on this technology. A flight data recorder is under development, utilizingredundant disk and tape devices, re-packaged for high altitude operation. A three-channel electro-optical prism camera system is nearing completion, and the NASA NS001 TM Simulator is scheduled for a major re-build, to include all new electronics. A project is also underway to incorporate a Litton LN-200 Inertial Measurement Unit into several sensor systems, to enable real-time precision geo-location of image pixels on the ground. This lab is also responsible for the integration of various systems with NASA airborne telemetry assets (direct downlinks and satellite uplinks.) 5) Data Telemetry Lab -- This group operates the STARLink (Satellite to Aircraft and Return Link) Payload Operations Center (POC) ground station. This system uses a high bandwidth Ku band uplink from the NASA ER-2 aircraft to the TDRSS satellite system, to capture real-time image and science data telemetry. It is also responsible for the rapid processing and re-distribution of these data via wide area networks and the Internet. It includes custom hardware and software designed for the capture of high-speed data streams (>100 Mb/sec.) The POC will also be configured to receive direct downlink transmission from various airborne platforms.The performance period will be five years, including a one year base period and four, one-year options. A cost plus fixed fee with negative incentives based on contract performance is anticipated. The estimated magnitude of the requirement is approximately $14 million. Interested sources should provide a capability statement to the address below. This statement should include the following: 1) name and address of firm; 2) size of business, including annual revenue for SIC code 8711 and entire business and total number of employees; 3) ownership and control, i.e. large/small/small disadvantaged/8a/or woman owned; 4) year firm established; 5/name of two principals to contract, including title and telephone number; 6) previous experience-include for on-going contracts or contracted completed with the last five years under SIC Code 8711: a)name of contracting activity or company; b)contract number; c)contract type, i.e. firm-fixed price, cost plus, indefinite quantity, combination, etc.; d)period of performance; e) total contract value including actual costs for past contracts; f) summary description of contract work performed; g) contracting officer's name and telephone number; h) contracting officer's technical representative or primary point of contact, name and telephone number; i) list of major subcontractors including name, address and telephone number of primary point of contact; 7) This statement shall also provide information in the following areas: a)Flight Operations Lab-discuss your experience working safely around high-performance aircraft, and your knowledge of flight hardware airworthiness requirements. Indicate your related experience with maintenance of Daedalus-type multispectral scanners, airborne digital data systems, large-format film cameras, and inflight data collection discuss your ability; b) Data Processing and Analysis Lab-discuss relevant experience in the engineering quality assessment of multispectral digital image and film data, production processing of remote sensing data, IDL and C software programming for image processing, and mission planning for large data collection campaigns; c) Sensor Calibration Lab- discuss your relevant experience in conducting sensor optical measurements of SRF, radiometric response, and MTF. Indicate knowledge of integrating sphere calibration using NIST standards, ground-truth field calibration exercises, and of optical alignment of spectral imaging devices; d) Systems Development Lab- discuss your experience applicable to the projects stated thereunder, and to related areas of sensor systems development. Demonstrate knowledge of the design parameters required for flight-qualified hardware, and the integration of systems on high performance jet aircraft; e) Data Telemetry Lab-discuss your relevant experience in the operation of satellite telemetry systems, high-speed PCM data capture and distribution, data multiplexing, and real-time computer operating systems; 8) discuss your knowledge, understanding and compliance with Federal regulations and policies pertaining to environmental health and safety issues and concerns. Please limit your responses to no more than 20 pages total. The type should be no smaller than 12 pt pica. A page is defined as one single-side. Your capability statement is requested by August 28, 1997 to NASA-Ames Research Center, Attn.: Barbara A. Drake, Mail Stop JAC:241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000. Statement may be submitted by mail, fax or electronic submission in Microsoft Word Version 5 or 6 format. This synopsis if for information and planning purposes only. All information submitted is at offeror's own expense. Your response will be evaluated against our requirement. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this market survey. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business-set aside based on the responsesreceived. Fax statements are acceptable at(415) 604-4646. Verbal statements will not be accepted. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which will be considered by the Agency. (0210)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0069 19970801\M-0005.SOL)