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

58 -- LIGHTNING MAPPING SYSTEM SOL 8-1-9-HR-C3286 DUE 051799 POC Pamela D. White, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-0337, Fax (256) 544-9354, Email pam.white@msfc.nasa.gov -- Elaine W. Hamner, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-0308, Fax (256) 544-9354, Email elaine.hamner@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-9-HR-C3286. E-MAIL: Pamela D. White, pam.white@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a Lightning Mapping System. The Lightning Mapping System is a ground-based system using GPS-based time of arrival for accurately locating, characterizing, and mapping the three dimensional structure of lightning flashes with an accuracy as great as 50 -- 100 meters over an area of approximately 100 -- 200 km is required for on-orbit validation of NASA's orbiting lightning sensors. Multiple impulsive RF events per flash should be detected, located and recorded. Remote stations should provide the time and peak intensity of RF radiation sources with precise timing performed independently at each of the receiving sites. The system should be capable of local data archival at each remote station, and be able to transmit data in real-time to a central receiving station for processing, display, archive, and distribution. The system shall be reseach-grade, consisting of ten remote stations, a central receiving station, and a processing station. The system shall include wireless modems for communication between the central station and the remote stations. Two additional stations will be provided for use as spares. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM; this is the only entity which can construct, train and deliver a research grade Lightning Mapping System for data analysis and research projects. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. 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 notbe 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 05/12/99 (D-SN330900). (0132)

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