A -- TOTAL SOLAR IRRADIANCE SENSOR INSTRUMENT ACCOMODATION STUDIES FOR NPOESS

Notice Date

April 5, 2001

Contracting Office

NOAA/Systems Acquisition Office (SAO), 1315 E. W. Highway, Mail Code SAOX2, Silver Spring, MD 20910

ZIP Code

20910

Solicitation Number

52-SPNA-1-00040

Response Due

May 14, 2001

Point of Contact

Jay W. Moore, Contracting Officer, 301-427-2126, ext. 112

E-Mail Address

Contracting Officer (jay.moore@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), Integrated Program Office (IPO), proposes to enter into a contract with the University of Colorado, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. The authority for execution of this proposed contract by NOAA is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), "only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". The term of the contract will be for 12 months, with no options. During the period of performance, the University of Colorado/LASP will investigate and resolve spacecraft accommodation issues concerning the Total Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS), with the National Polar Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). The two TSIS instruments are the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) and the Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM). These instruments are being developed under the leadership of the LASP/"SORCE" PI, Dr. Rottman, who will conduct this proposed accommodation study of the TIM/SIM. From a spacecraft accommodation perspective, because of its extreme accuracy, TSIS is extremely susceptible to spacecraft design aspects and potential interference from other payloads (to include EMI and thermal shading). Also, being a "solar payload," TSIS needs to track the sun accurately. Since NPOESS is an Earth oriented satellite, the tracking requirement of TSIS adds significant unique complexity to the NPOESS system and to the interface problems. This "accommodation sensitivity" increases dramatically the potential interface problems related to mounting the TSIS on the NPOESS spacecraft. Proposed studies include: design modifications to the TIM/SIM instruments, design modifications to the spacecraft interfaces, modification of the science data algorithms, comparing NPOESS irradiance measurements to existing observations, and programmatic interface with the interested NPOESS vendors. These studies will be instrumental to designing accommodations for the TIM/SIM instruments on the NPOESS spacecraft payload. The University of Colorado/LASP has designed and is building the two instruments that can satisfy the applicable Environmental Data Records (EDRs) for NPOESS. No other organization has this design or is building similar instruments. LASP has unique knowledge and expertise for determining the instrument interface problems and solutions to the interface problems, as well as specific insight to determine the costs for the modification of TSIS instruments caused by NPOESS interface and accommodation concerns. Solutions to these interface problems will significantly impact the NPOESS design trades and therefore also potentially impact other NPOESS instrument accommodation considerations as well. The singular expertise and resources of the LASP cannot be secured from other public or private institutions. Any other party desiring consideration for this requirement must identify its full capability in writing to the Contracting Officer within 45 days of this publication. No RFP or solicitation is available. No further CBD notice is planned. POC: Jay W. Moore; (301) 427-2126, extension 112. SEE NOTES 22, 25 and 26.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010409/ASOL003.HTM (W-095 SN50I4O4)