Phillips Laboratory, Directorate of Contracting, 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773

A -- SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY FOR ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH SOL BAA98-01 POC Steinbock, Barbara, Pl/PKLA, 505/846-2246 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) FOR SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY FOR ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH. SOLICITATION BAA 98-01 -- POC Ms Barbara Steinbock, Contracting Officer, (505) 846-2246. OBJECTIVES: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Phillips Research Site (PRS), (formerly Phillips Laboratory), Directed Energy Directorate (DEBI) solicits proposals for the design, development, fabrication, installation and test of a 4.0-m telescope system designated as the "Southern Observatory for Astronomical Research" (SOAR). SOAR is an ultraviolet to near-infrared telescope system which will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies to achieve its high performance goals. Primary objectives include: (1) design and fabrication of a telescope of a Ritchey-Chretien configuration on an altitude-azimuth mount rotating on a stationary cone (10 Hz minimum acceptable resonance); (2) a primary mirror with a clear diameter of at least 4.0 meters, f/2 focal ratio, with active figure control; (3) an active tip-, tilt-, and focus-controlled secondary mirror with diameter of at least 1 meter, f/7.76 focal ratio, and 5 Hz tip/tilt bandwidth; (3) a flat elliptical tertiary mirror capable of being rotated and indexed to direct the light beam to the two Nasmyth foci locations; (4) a field corrector to provide a 20 (arcminute) field of view over the wavelength range from 0.33 to 2.5 mm; (5) use of low expansion materials for all mirrors; (6) overall optical performance limited by atmospheric seeing; (7) rolling-element bearings; (8) moving weight (without instruments) of approximately 150,000 lb.; (9) a capability for thermally conditioning the primary mirror; (10) servo-controlled DC motor tracking drives; (11) pointing control to 1 (arcsecond) RMS; (12) autoguiding to 0.05 RMS; (13) computer control; (14) an octagonal building enclosure with biparting shutters, rotating on a circular base but large enough for complete telescope motion without co-rotation, to provide shelter from inclement weather and dust and with ventilation provided through the viewing slit and louvered vents; (15) capability for the enclosure and telescope to co-track in azimuth during observations to a maximum track rate of 0.5 degrees per second and a maximum slew rate of 3 degrees per second; and, (16) a detached control room with access to the telescope through an enclosed walkway tunnel. BUDGET/CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION: Due to budget fluctuations, funding may change with little or no notice. The funding profile is estimated at $6,000,000 over two years. Currently $3,000,000 is available for obligation. AFRL/PRS anticipates awarding a grant to a University or Non Profit Institute. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Technical Volume: The technical proposal shall include an executive summary, program description, program plan, milestone chart, facilities and equipment description, description of relevant prior work, and resumes of the Principal Investigator and other key personnel. The technical proposal should be in 12 pitch or larger type, double spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inch pages. 2) Budget Volume: Budgets should be prepared in accordance with instructions under "Additional Information" at the following AFRL web site: http://www.plk.af.mil/ORG_CHART/PK/mainmenu.htm. The cost information requested is necessary for the government to perform a cost realism and reasonableness analyses. 3) Administrative Volume: Proposals must reference the above BAA number and include a unique proposal identification number. A template for the proposed grant is available at the PRS Contracting Bulletin Board. Review the proposed grant and state which payment method the offeror wishes to be included in the award and provide rationale for alternative proposed. In additon, discuss any concerns with Articles included in the proposed template in this portion of the proposal. 4) General: Submit technical and cost proposals in separate volumes. There is no page limitation on any volume. Proposals shall be valid for a period of not less than 120 days. OBJECTIVES: The Air ForceResearch Laboratory (AFRL), Phillips Research Site (PRS), (formerly Phillips Laboratory), Directed Energy Directorate (DEBI) solicits proposals for the design, development, fabrication, installation and OBJECTIVES: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Phillips Research Site (PRS), formerly Phillips Laboratory), Directed Energy Directorate (DEBI) solicits proposals for the design, development, fabrication, installation and test of a 4.0-m telescope system designated as the "Southern Observatory for Astronomical Research" (SOAR). SOAR is an ultraviolet to near-infrared telescope system which will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies to achieve its high performance goals. Primary objectives include: (1) design and fabrication of a telescope of a Ritchey-Chretien configuration on an altitude-azimuth mount rotating on a stationary cone (10 Hz minimum acceptable resonance); (2) a primary mirror with a clear diameter of at least 4.0 meters, f/2 focal ratio, with active figure control; (3) an active tip-, tilt-, and focus-controlled secondary mirror with diameter of at least 1 meter, f/7.76 focal ratio, and 5 Hz tip/tilt bandwidth; (3) a flat elliptical tertiary mirror capable of being rotated and indexed to direct the light beam to the two Nasmyth foci locations; (4) a field corrector to provide a 20 (arcminute) field of view over the wavelength range from 0.33 to 2.5 mm; (5) use of low expansion materials for all mirrors; (6) overall optical performance limited by atmospheric seeing; (7) rolling-element bearings; (8) moving weight (without instruments) of approximately 150,000 lb.; (9) a capability for thermally conditioning the primary mirror; (10) servo-controlled DC motor tracking drives; (11) pointing control to 1 (arcsecond) RMS; (12) autoguiding to 0.05 RMS; (13) computer control; (14) an octagonal building enclosure with biparting shutters, rotating on a circular base but large enough for complete telescope motion without co-rotation, to provide shelter from inclement weather and dust and with ventilation provided through the viewing slit and louvered vents; (15) capability for the enclosure and telescope to co-track in azimuth during observations to a maximum track rate of 0.5 degrees per second and a maximum slew rate of 3 degrees per second; and, (16) a detached control room with access to the telescope through an enclosed walkway tunnel. BUDGET/CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION: Due to budget fluctuations, funding may change with little or no notice. The funding profile is estimated at $6,000,000 over two years. Currently $3,000,000 is available for obligation. AFRL/PRS anticipates awarding a grant to a University or Non Profit Institute. PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Technical Volume: The technical proposal shall include an executive summary, program description, program plan, milestone chart, facilities and equipment description, description of relevant prior work, and resumes of the Principal Investigator and other key personnel. The technical proposal should be in 12 pitch or larger type, double spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inch pages. 2) Budget Volume: Budgets should be prepared in accordance with instructions under "Additional Information" at the following AFRL web site: http://www.plk.af.mil/ORG_CHART/PK/mainmenu.htm. The cost information requested is necessary for the government to perform a cost realism and reasonableness analyses. 3) Administrative Volume: Proposals must reference the above BAA number and include a unique proposal identification number. A template for the proposed grant is available at the PRS Contracting Bulletin Board. Review the proposed grant and state which payment method the offeror wishes to be included in the award and provide rationale for alternative proposed. In additon, discuss any concerns with Articles included in the proposed template in this portion of the proposal. 4) General: Submit technical and cost proposals in separate volumes. There is no page limitation on any volume. Proposals shall be valid for a period of not less than 120 days. Unnecessarily elaborate brochures are not desired. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and 3 copies with the original being clearly marked. Proposals may be submitted at any time, but shall be due no later than 15 Dec 97. Proposals shall be submitted to: AFRL/PRS/PKD, 2251 Maxwell Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773, Attn: Ms Barbara Steinbock. Proposals not received in time at this address may not be considered for award. The cost for preparing proposals in response to this BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting grant or to any other contract. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Grants Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. BASIS FOR AWARD: Evaluations will be accomplished in accordance with the following: 1) Technical proposals will be evaluated using the following factors in descending order or importance based on scientific peer review: (1) demonstrated technical and scientific merit, (2) site selection based on ultimate and unique seeing conditions for a ground based optical site, (3) offeror's feasibility of accomplishing tasks, and (4) the qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed key personnel. 2) Cost proposals will be evaluated using the factors of reasonableness and realism. Technical considerations are more important than cost, although cost will be considered a significant factor. Subject to availability of funds, the government reserves the right to select for award, any, all, part, or none of the proposals received. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This BAA will be posted on the PRS Contracting Bulletin Board under the PRS Acquisition Information -- http://www.pkl.af.mil/ORG_CHART/ PK/mainmenu.htm. (SOAR). Contracting Bulletin Board POC is John Webb, PL/PKM, (505) 846-4457. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors, primarily during the proposal development phaseof this competitive, negotiated research grant. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Program Director or Grants Officer, but to communicate receipient concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel in the pre proposal phase of competitive, negotiated acquisitions. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the Grants Officer. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Grants Officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at the Air Force Research Laboratory/PRS, Mr Bruce Grunsten, Chief, Mission Support Division (AFRL/PRS/PKM), at (505) 846 8273, or at 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 5773. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the evaluation of offerors. For business issues please contact Barbara Steinbock at (505)846-2246. For technical issues, please contact Lt Col Pete Keish at (505)846-5044. (0311)

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