A -- STEREO MISSION PHASE C/D/E EFFORT

Notice Date

August 13, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.4, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Solicitation Number

RFP5-04616-502

Response Due

August 29, 2001

Point of Contact

James Debelius, Contract Specialist, Phone (301)286-0055, Fax (301)286-0341, Email James.M.Debelius.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Thomas Russell, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-2885, Fax (301)286-0341, Email Thomas.S.Russell.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

James Debelius (James.M.Debelius.1@gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) 5-04616-502, on a sole-source basis, to The Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) for the STEREO Mission Phase C/D/E Effort. JHU/APL shall provide the design and fabircation of two STEREO spaceraft; integration of the two STEREO spacecraft along with NASA-supplied scientific instruments; testing of the observatories; support for integration of the observatories on the launch vehicle; and mission operations. The Phase C/D effort has a three year eleven month period of performance beginning January 1, 2002, and ending 30 days after the launch of the observatories. The observatories are scheduled for launch on November 15, 2005. The Phase E effort has a two year period of performance beginning December 15, 2005, and ending December 14, 2007. The total period of performance for the Phase C/D/E effort is five years and eleven months. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The STEREO mission part of NASA's Sun-Earth Connections program aimed at improving mankind's understanding of the origins of solar variability, how that variability transforms the interplanetary medium, how eruptive events on the sun impact geospace, and how they might affect climate and weather. It is one of five Solar Terrestrial Probes called for in NASA's Space Science Enterprise Strategic Plan. The STEREO Spacecraft will be launched into heliospheric orbit. The principal science objectives to be addressed in the STEREO mission are: to understand the origin and consequences of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME's); to determine the processes that control CME evolution in the heliosphere by tracking CME driven disturbances from the Sun to Earth's orbit; to discover the mechanisms and sites of solar energetic particle acceleration; to determine the 3-D structure and dynamics of coronal and interplanetary plasmas and magnetic fields; and to prove the solar dynamic through its effects on the corona and heliosphere. STEREO is a Solar Terrestrial Probe Program mission selected in November 1999 and currently in Phase B of the mission. The Phase B effort ends December 31, 2001. The Mission Pre-Confirmation Review was held in June 2001 with pre-confirmation approval immediately following. The Mission's Preliminary Design Review will be held in December 2001. JHU/APL is currently providing a system overview of the entire STEREO mission, spacecraft definition, instrument interface coordination and definition, and detailed plans for the development of spacecraft and ground systems, including cost estimates, implementation plans and technical documentation. In addition, Phase B activities include: thermal and radiation analyses; breadboard verification of design; procurement long-lead parts; and detailed design of several modules. The Government recognizes that there are numerous companies that can provide the hardware and services required to ensure a successful STEREO mission. However, no company could complete the required work within the available timeframe in order to meet the November 15, 2005, scheduled launch date for STEREO. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on September 4, 2001. 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. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. See Note 22. An Ombudsman has been appointed, See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced 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#RFP5-04616-502)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010815/ASOL006.HTM (D-225 SN50U7C2)