NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

A -- NGST SPECIAL OPTICAL TESTING SUPPORT STUDY SOL 8-1-9-TA-60022 DUE 042999 POC A. Carol Terrell, Contract Specialist, Phone (256)544-6710, Fax (256)544-4400, Email Carol.Terrell@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (256)544-0314, Fax (256)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-9-TA-60022. E-MAIL: A. Carol Terrell, Carol.Terrell@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a research study entitled "NGST Special Optical Testing Support Study". This study is being procured under the University Research Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) Program with the university community within the United States. The work will be performed at the contractor's facility and on-site at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The intent of this work is to proceed with NGST technology testing in the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) X-Ray Calibration Facility (XRCF). The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1. Provide detailed analysis of and characterization of the XRCF system including the potential for impacts from vibration and solutions to setting up interferometic systems. This will include analysis, design support and evaluation of the overall interferometric/optical system. 2. Provide options for selection of alternative interferometric solutions. The system must be capable of meeting the test requirements of the NGST mirror system demonstrator. This effort should include, but not be limited to, point diffraction interferometer (PDI) as well as phase shifting techniques. Also included is support for the testing of these various systems in the XRCF. 3. Provide a redesign of the interferometer mount to accommodate multiple instruments. The interferometer positioning system must be able to accommodate all of the interferometers that could be used in testing (see task 2 above). Thus, design modifications necessary to allow for testing with the primary and back-up interferometer(s) will be studied and if necessary, accomplished. All interfaces should allow for reasonably quick interchange between the different interferometers. 4. Develop a mirror system test plan and procedure(s). These products are to be used for all NGST-related mirror testing in the XRCF. They must insure that all required parameters are measured to reasonable accuracies. Based on the procedure(s), a standardized mirror system test report to relay the results to both NASA and the mirror manufacturer is to be produced. Provide evaluation of test setup and implementation and recommend enhancements where appropriate. 5. Provide evaluation and analysis of testing required for the Advance Mirror System Demonstrator (AMSD) to be tested in the XRCF. Develop a concept for optically testing the AMSD and an initial evaluation of cost and pertinent issues. 6. NGST system level analyses support as related to XRCF testing is required. Examples of such analyses include prediction of figure test results based on structural and thermal model output and test mirror system diagnosis through a ray-trace analysis to duplicate measured figure errors. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The SIC code and size standard is 8733 and 500, respectively. NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the study from The University of Alabama in Huntsville under the Research BOA Program. This sole source action is pursuant to FAR 13.106 and is based on the University's domain expertise in this area of research. Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT REQUIRED] An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Posted 04/13/99 (D-SN319102). (0103)

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