A -- FOLLOW-ON TO CONTRACT NAS5-32997 WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOR THE SPACE GEODESY NETWORK AND SENSORS CALIBRATION OFFICE (SGNSCO)

Notice Date

November 14, 2000

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 219, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Solicitation Number

RFO5-12219-257

Response Due

November 30, 2000

Point of Contact

Julie A. Janus, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 614-5615, Fax (301) 614-5619, Email jjanus@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov -- William A. Hatchl, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)614-5590, Fax (301)614-5619, Email William.A.Hatchl.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Julie A. Janus (jjanus@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO), on a sole source basis to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. The University of Texas McDonald Observatory provides for the research, development, analysis, and operational support services for the Space Geodesy Network and Sensors Calibration Office. The proposed contract will have a 3-year basic period of performance (March 1, 2001 through February 29, 2004) plus two one-year options (March 1, 2004 through February 28, 2006). Currently, this work is being performed under NAS5-32997 with the University of Texas, which expires on February 28, 2001. The Contractor shall administer, operate, maintain, and improve the University of Texas McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS). The services to be provided will be rendered at McDonald Observatory, Ft. Davis, Texas. The McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS) consists of a 0.76 meter diameter telescope facility equipped to laser-range to satellite and lunar targets. The geometric location of MLRS is important to the SGNSCO. The exact location of the reference point at MLRS is known to within a few centimeters of uncertainty, and represents over 20 years of observations contributing to the global data solution. This reference point is used as a tie-in point by the SGNSCO in an overall North American Grid of baselines. Slight perturbations in the grid's geometry are monitored to reflect tectonic motion. GSFC has provided the equipment (Government Furnished Equipment) for this facility. The MLRS station is a critical contributor to the global network data set obtained through tracking natural satellites and artificial earth satellites. The data collected from artificial earth satellites by MLRS is used by the GSFC Space Geodesy Networks and Sensors Calibration Office (SGNSCO) to study earth plate tectonic motion, to better determine the earth's gravity field, and to determine reference orbits and calibration data for altimetric satellites (TOPEX and ERS); additionally, the data collected by the MLRS from the moon is used by NASA and the international scientific community to study precisely the nature of earth rotation and polar motion. Statutory authority for this sole source procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) -- Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations who believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedules supported by this work, should fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. See Notes: A, B, 22, and 26. Interested organizations 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 non-responsive 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. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer, which shall be considered by the agency. Any reference notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#RFO5-12219-257)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001116/ASOL003.HTM (D-319 SN5066N1)