NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.1, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- NEAR-INFRARED (NIR) FOCAL PLANE ARRAY (FPA) COST REDUCTION STUDIES SOL RFO5-53445-359 DUE 042000 POC Glenn T Emig, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 286-5182, Fax (301) 286-1670, Email gemig@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov -- Michael E. McGrath, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-8085, Fax (301)286-1670, Email Michael.E.McGrath.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#RFO5- 53445-359. E-MAIL: Glenn T Emig, gemig@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA/GSFC intends to issue two separate Requests for Offer (RFO) for Cost Reduction Studies of Near-Infrared (NIR) Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) on sole source bases to Rockwell Science Center (RSC) and Raytheon Infrared Center of Excellence (RIRCoE). The cost studies are intended to develop and recommend approaches for achieving significant cost savings in the development and production of NIR FPAs for the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) that is scheduled for launch in the 2008 -- 2009 timeframe. NGST is an aggressive mission concept, which will deploy an ~8-meter diameter aperture passively cooled telescope at the L2 libration point. The NGST scientific program is largely centered on investigations of the early universe and the processes involved in formation of the earliest galaxies. To accomplish its mission, NGST will require large numbers of superb NIR FPAs, for both imaging and spectroscopic observations. The NIR FPAs must provide a 16 million pixel format, with mean noise of 10 electrons,quantum efficiency of 80%, exposure times of 1000 s, and power dissipation of 1 mW per million pixels. All of these specifications are critical in providing the overall sensitivities needed to carry out the scientific program. The cost reduction studies will assist GSFC in guiding FPA technology developments in the directions of lower-cost, lower-risk solutions. In order to perform meaningful cost reduction studies, suppliers must already have advanced NIR FPA technology, astronomical experience, and FPA production and characterization facilities. RIRCoE and RSC are only two known suppliers of high-performance, low-background astronomical FPAs with the existing technology, experience, and facilities necessary to perform meaningful NIR FPA cost reduction studies. RIRCoE and RSC will independently provide the material and labor to study and analyze cost factors and drivers, and to identify cost-saving development strategies, and recommend approaches for development of flight-grade NIR FPAs for NGST. Study tasks and cost considerations are itemized in GSFC's "Cost Reduction Study for Near-IR Focal Plane Arrays for Next Generation Space Telescope, Statement of Work." The period of performance for the study, including preparation and delivery of the final report, is six months from date of award. Related to this procurement, within the next 3 months, NASA/GSFC intends to issue a separate RFO for NIR FPA technology development on a sole source basis to RIRCoE; that RFO will be synopsized separately in accordance with FAR 5.201 and 5.203. RIRCoE will undertake technology development activities over approximately a two-year period to demonstrate mature technological solutions to NGST FPA production challenges. In parallel with this RIRCoE technology development contract, NASA/Ames Research Center (ARC) intends to fund RSC through an existing contract to perform identical NIR FPA technology development. Upon completion of the technology development efforts, GSFC intends to issue a limited competitive Request for Proposal(RFP) to RSC and RIRCoE. GSFC may select RSC or RIRCoE, or both RSC and RIRCoE, to provide the flight-grade NIR FPAs for NGST. This limited competitive RFP will also be synopsized separately in accordance with FAR 5.201 and 5.203. The competition for the flight-grade NIR FPAs will be based on the results of the previous technology development efforts. Any other responsible source wishing to be considered for the flight-grade NIR FPA award will be required to demonstrate a design and technology of equivalent maturity to RSC and RIRCoE, such demonstration to include any deliverables from the technology development contracts. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1), Only One Responsible Source. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to theidentified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on April 20, 2000. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". 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://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 04/05/00 (D-SN441710). (0096)

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