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

A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS AND ASSOCIATED TECHNOLOGIES SOL 8-1-9-ES-C3840 DUE 051999 POC Carlos M. Smiley, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-0355, Fax (256) 544-8656, Email carlos.smiley@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-9-ES-C3840. E-MAIL: Carlos M. Smiley, carlos.smiley@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Research and Development of Science Communications and Associated Technologies. NASA intends to enter into a cost share arrangement for the services described below with Digital Radiance, 235 Cheswick Drive, Madison, AL 35757 in accordance with FAR 16.303. An overview of services that are required are as follows: 1.0 Introduction The Science Communications Process is to communicate new scientific knowledge and understanding to audiences beyond the peer community. NASA intends to perform science communications research and state-of-the-art technology development to both enhance the content and presentation of newly-generated knowledge, and to better understand how people use science information for positive societal outcomes. Contractor has developed innovative scientific visualization and interactive science communications technologies that can be expanded and targeted for the Science Communications Process, with particular experience in the areas of Earth Science. 2.0 Scope Contractor will provide interactive scientific communication in Web-based and other high-bandwidth Scientific Visualization (SciVis) mediums. The Science Communications Process currently lacks significant research and technology development expertise in the SciVis area, especially in the field of Earth Science. The period of performance is scheduled to begin June 01, 1999 and continue through February 29, 2000. The place of performance shall be NASA/MSFC. The level of effort for this task will be approximately 0.75 person-years. Travel should be estimated for approximately three (3) trips of one (1) week duration to research conferences and site visits to scientific and technical institutions. 3.0 Tasks The research tasks to be performed will utilize and enhance existing contractor technologies such that they are focused for the needs of the Science Communications Process. Specific tasks shall include: I. Research and Development of leading-edge interactive Web-based science communication presentation technologies, with special focus on Earth science datasets, in particular presentation of scientific knowledge related to studies of the Global Hydrological cycle, and thunderstorm/severe weather development and evolution. II. Research and Development of leading-edge interactive Website navigation and administration technologies. III. Research and Development of technologies to provide selected consumers of Earth Science information with the latest and most efficient connectivity to newly-generated NASA knowledge. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Notes 22 and 26. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html. Interested firms have until May 14, 1999 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 May 14, 1999 or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to this 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. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Posted 05/03/99 (D-SN327014). (0123)

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