A -- GPM RAINFALL MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS, SOURCES SOUGHT & BRIEFING TO INDUSTRY

Notice Date

May 8, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 215, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Response Due

June 22, 2001

Point of Contact

Steve Lloyd, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-5971, Fax (301)286-1720, Email Steven.R.Lloyd.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Steve Lloyd (Steven.R.Lloyd.1@gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

This is a Request for Information (RFI) and market research survey to identify potential capabilities to build microwave rainfall measurement instruments for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). The President's budget issued on April 9, 2001 includes an allocation of funds for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to begin planning for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM). In support of the Administration's interest in this area, NASA Headquarters has directed the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to conduct Advanced Studies of GPM. "These advanced studies are to be structured to facilitate an anticipated approval-to-proceed with formal formulation activities in the future." The GPM Pre-Formulation Office, established in 1999 for the purpose of examining the requirements, purpose and programmatic support for this mission, will perform the advanced studies. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information regarding the capabilities in industry for the development and fabrication of passive microwave radiometers able to make rainfall measurements for GPM with at least similar performance to that achieved by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) on the TRMM Program. This RFI is also requesting information concerning the availability of narrow-beam, single or dual frequency Doppler radar to serve as potential companion instruments on the Constellation spacecraft. The use of this radar is currently uncertain, and is considered by the GPM Pre-Formulation Office as an optional, or enhanced, capability that is currently not a part of the required instrument suite. This RFI is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Information provided will be used by the GPM Pre-Formulation Office for the purpose of obtaining a better understanding of the capabilities in industry, and for identifying potential sources for the acquisition of rainfall measurement instruments. The information received may also be used to support acquisition planning, including the preparation of a solicitation for multiple Phase B Studies. If awarded, these Phase B studies will be used to better define the capabilities identified in industry to meet the specific requirements of GPM. In order for the information solicited by this RFI to be of the greatest value, we request that responses be received by June 22, 2001. All materials labeled as proprietary, or with other company restrictive markings, will be handled accordingly. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. It is important to note that the specific information sought by this RFI and the relevant GPM background information and reference material will be available over the Internet. These documents will be in Microsoft Office 97 format and will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?group=C&pin=51 and search for "GPM". In addition to the specific information referenced at the above URL, please advise if the requirement is considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in Internet "Note A" at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html . Responses should also include the following: name and address of firm, size of business; average annual revenue for past 3 years and number of employees; ownership; whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned; number of years in business; affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and point of contact address and phone number. If you would like to discuss the technical details of this RFI, or need additional information for the preparation of a response, please contact the GPM Instrument Manager, Mr. Mark Flaming, at 301/286-7374, email: Gilbert.M.Flaming@gsfc.nasa.gov. Submittal of responses on a CD ROM in electronic format is the preferred submission media; however, paper and email responses are also acceptable. Materials provided in response to this RFI should be sent by June 22, 2001 to: Mr. Steven R. Lloyd Contracting Officer Code 215 Building 11, Room S215F NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 Email: Steven.R.Lloyd.1@gsfc.nasa.gov Phone: (301) 286-5971 The GPM Pre-Formulation Office will also hold a Briefing to Industry to discuss the current concepts for instruments to be used for rainfall measurement, and the objectives and status of current planning for the program. The briefing will start at 1:00 p.m., May 30, 2001, and will be held in Room 206, Building 26 at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. Attendance at the briefing is limited to United States citizens and foreign nationals who possess Green Cards due to security and screening requirements imposed by the Goddard Security Office. Registration is required for the briefing, and must be completed by Thursday, May 24, 2001. Please email Leslie Cusick the names, affiliation of attendees, and U.S. Citizen status or Green Card Number at: lcusick@pop700.gsfc.nasa.gov. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of any future solicitation or amendments (if any).

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#RFI-215-01-01)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010510/ASOL009.HTM (D-128 SN50L5K8)