NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

A -- INSTRUMENT SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE SYSTEM AIRBORNE SOUNDER TESTBED -- INTERFEROMETER (NAST-1) SOL 1-049-GLD.2046 POC Joan Y. Crepps, Contracting Officer, Phone (757)-864-2521, Fax (757) 864-8863, Email J.Y.CREPPS@larc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/LaRC/date.html#1-049-GLD.2046. E-MAIL: Joan Y. Crepps, J.Y.CREPPS@larc.nasa.gov. NASA Langley Research Center plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)] for Instrument Support for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Airborne Sounder Testbed Interferometer (NAST-I). The NAST-I instrument is used to provide airborne infrared spectral radiances during field exercises, such as the Third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) and the Winter Experiment (WINTEX). The data from these deployments are to be used by the joint NOAA/NASA/DoD Integrated Program Office (IPO). The proposed contract will (1) require analysis of spectral radiance data obtained by the NAST-I, Scanning High Resolution Interferometer Sounder (SHIS) and Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) instruments during the CAMEX-3 field experiment in August/September 1998; (2) analysis of data obtained by NAST-I and the (SHIS) during the WINTEX field experiment in March 1999. (since HIS and SHIS meet the absolute calibration standards as required by the IPO and NAST-I is a new instrument, these analyses will serve to calibrate the NAST-I instrument); (3) require recommended improvements to the NAST-I instrument in order to maximize the instrument performance and applicability to IPO requirements; (4) require weather products from field data in order to guide the NPOESS selection of future spaceflight instruments; (5) support NAST-I algorithm improvements through synergistic retrieval studies using the data from NAST-I, AERI, HIS, and SHIS during CAMEX and WINTEX; (6) develop tomographic reconstruction algorithms to obtain three-dimensional distributions of atmospheric parameters and (7) define specifications of instrument parameters in order to obtain useful three-dimensional distributions. NASA/LaRC intends to purchase the items from the University of Wisconsin -- Madison (UW) under the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304( c )(1). The applicability of this statute is based on the fact that UW developed and owns the AERI, HIS, and SHIS instruments that are required for validation of the NAST-I instrument during field deployments. UW has extensive experience in FTS instruments, including design, construction, and algorithm development. UW is the only known entity to have designed, built, and deployed FTS instruments with the required absolute calibration for validation of the NAST-I instrument being tested under this program. These instruments are the only known instruments having calibration traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These are absolute calibration references which enable the absolute calibration of NAST-I necessary to meet the IPO's goals. In addition, the continuity that is provided by the same suite of instruments in multiple field experiments enhances the data value to the IPO by providing consistent data sets from multiple weather conditions. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". 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. Firm date for receipt of offers will be stated in the RFP. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://cbdnet.access.gpo.gov/num-note.html and http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 04/23/99 (D-SN323788). (0113)

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