U.S. Geological Survey, MS 205A, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192

D -- SATELLTE TELECOMMUNICATIONS POC Brian Heath 703/648-7362 This is not a notice for a solicitation. This is a Request for Information (RFI). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requests technical information from the vendor community on the ability to provide the following. The U. S. National Seismograph Network (USNSN) provides broadband, highly linear, wide dynamic range, three component monitoring of earth motion suitable for rapid earthquake response, critical facilities engineering, and the most demanding of basic seismological research activities. The USNSN is currently leasing Ku-band (14-16 GHz) space segment on a geostationary satellite with CONUS coverage plus Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska; Oahu and Hilo, Hawaii; and Ottawa, Canada. The USNSN is occupying One (1) 200 KHz outbound or outlink (hub to remote) channel and four (4) 200 KHz inbound or returnlink (remote to hub) channels for a total bandwidth of one megahertz. Each inbound and outbound channel has a channel bandwidth of 200 KHz on a 200 KHz center. All inbound channels are within 9 MHz of the outbound channel, all channels are on the same Ku-Band transponder, and have a backup or preemptible transponder ("Transponder Protected" grade of service). The space segment configuration is compatible with the Scientific Atlanta Skylinx.25 VSAT Communication System that is installed at Golden, CO. This system uses a 45 W HPA into a Vertex 4.6-meter antenna at the hub and 1.5 W HPAs into Prodelin 1.8-meter antennas at the remote VSATs that are located throughout the CONUS region. The space segment has Ku band transponders and has an orbital assignment between 80 and 110 degrees West longitude, uses active station keeping and maintains the instantaneous satellite latitude on longitude to within 0.05 degree of its nominal value. The USNSN is currently using the General Electric GE-1 satellite with vertical polarization on the uplink on transponder 13. However, this does not reflect a commitment to any one satellite system. When responding to this RFI, please include an approach to minimize the loss of USGS data if a repoint is necessary and vendor ability to provide repointing services. The USGS would like to pursue up to a five year contract. Any suggestions or alternative approaches to meeting our requirements would be appreciated. Any commercially available pricing information is also requested. This request is not a formal RFP and NO contract will result from this synopsis. Any subsequent solicitation will be synopsized prior to its release. All responses should include three copies of all information submitted and contain sufficient technical documentation and descriptive literature to sufficiently describe vendor capabilities. The Government will not pay for information provided in response to this synopsis. Technical and commercial price information responding to this request should be received by close of business on April 15, 1999. Posted 03/23/99 (W-SN311763). (0082)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0038 19990325\D-0010.SOL)