NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 217, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- HTXS X-RAY CALORIMETER OR EQUIVALENT SOL RFP5-02171-235 DUE 111597 POC Janet Langweil, Contract Specialist, Phone (301)286-4212, Fax (301)286-1720, Email Janet.S.Langweil.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Bradley Poston, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-8688, Fax (301)286-1720, Email Bradley.J.Poston.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#RFP5-02171-235. E-MAIL: Janet Langweil, Janet.S.Langweil.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) on a full and open competitive basis for the development of X-Ray Calorimeter or equivalent technology in support of the High Throughput X-Ray Spectroscopy (HTXS) Mission. The HTXS is under study as NASA's next major, multiuser X-RAY Astronomy facility. Current plans are for a new start in 2004. A program of technology development is being initiated now to develop and demonstrate the HTXS critical technologies to bolster the potential for new start approval. The HTXS mission is in the concept development phase. As part of this phase, a variety of mission architectures and launch options will be investigated. Additional information regarding the HTXS mission can be found at the HTXS website located at "http://htxs.gsfc.nasa.gov". The calorimeter technology development will be conducted in phases with the government reserving the right to downselect after each phase. NASA/GSFC may issue multiple cost-plus-fixed fee or cost no fee contracts in support of this effort and/or make a contract award for a portion of a proposal. The contractor shall provide all effort required to define one or more concepts, develop the critical technologies, and provide a prototype demonstration that meets the performance specification in a four year effort. In addition to the technology development effort, the contractor shall support the mission study by: c)Defining and characterizing the instrument interfaces to the spacecraft. d)Supporting the HTXS Facility Science Team meetings and HTXS Engineering meetings as required. e)Supporting trade studies and the impact of design changes on the baseline spacecraft and spacecraft interfaces. The draft RFP is scheduled to be released on or before October 31, 1997 with a final RFP release by mid-November 1997 with an anticipated proposal due date 30 days after release. See Note 26. All qualified responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. An ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office Suite (Word 6.0, Excel 5.0, or PowerPoint 4.0) format and will reside on a World-Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The WWW address, or URL of the NASA/GSFC Business Opportunities page is http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/class.html. Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the aforementioned Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. (0288)

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