SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT PROGRAMS IN SATELLITE LASER RANGING AND OTHER SPACE GEODESY TECHNIQUES
- Notice Date
- 7/3/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.M, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNG06148510R
- Response Due
- 7/18/2006
- Archive Date
- 7/3/2007
- Description
- NASA?s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S.C 2304 (c) (1), Only One Responsible Source, to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). NASA/GSFC currently obtains the development and implementation of joint programs in laser ranging and other space geodesy techniques from the SAO. This effort provides for senior system engineering support together with international technical liaison and leadership services for the NASA Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) Program. The SAO currently provides these services on Contract NAS5-01113 which is the latest of a succession of sole source contracts for this unique effort. Contract NAS5-01113 expires on October 11, 2006 and another 5 year contract (October 12, 2006 through October 11, 2011) is anticipated. The current contract was awarded to the SAO as a sole-source, noncompetitive procurement. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is one of the fundamental techniques for measurement and understanding of plate tectonics, regional crustal deformation, Earth rotation and orientation, the spatial and temporal details of the gravity field, global climate, and in the measurement of fundamental physical constants. SLR also provides the high accuracy, global tracking coverage required for the fullest interpretation of satellite altimetry data for monitoring ocean dynamics and circulation through the details of ocean surface topography. SLR currently supports satellite missions by generating orbit predictions and collecting tracking data. The tracking data is used for these satellites? precise orbit determination that enables sensor calibration and gravity studies to be performed. The required technical liaison services include maintaining contact with key scientists, government officials and institutions in countries that are or will be involved in SLR activities. The contractor will also oversee daily operations and implementation of procedures, coordination, and management of International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) Central Bureau (CB) activities. The contractor will also need to continue support of the Working Group of European Geoscientists for the Establishment of Networks for Earthquake Research (WEGENER) program and the Asian-Pacific Space Geodynamics (APSG) consortia in an effort to help evolve these two programs. The contractor will further need to provide technical and leadership assistance as required by overseas space geodetic groups and continue to work with the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) Steering Committee and the GGOS Working Group on Ground Networks and Communication to develop and coordinate an integrated global geodetic network. Such support is needed in order to implement compatible standards, models, and parameters to provide the infrastructural basis for global change research while striving to ensure the stability and ready access of the geometric and gravimetric reference frames through an uninterrupted time series of state-of-the-art global observations. SAO is the only source that has the combined training, experience, and expertise to provide uninterrupted continuation of operations of international joint programs in laser ranging. Their unequalled knowledge and experience of satellite laser ranging is invaluable to NASA and cannot be obtained from another source. This procurement's statement of work calls for a highly skilled international liaison to coordinate ongoing observation programs, plan future observation programs, and seek new interested groups for inclusion in future observation programs. In order to acquire the breadth of understanding held by SAO, prospective companies would need to hire several persons to visit and be trained at the various sites, which would require training for a minimum of one month per SLR system. The overall training time for an individual would be several years at a very significant cost. Such a task necessitates a unique blend of diplomatic and scientific skills that only the SAO with its international contacts in over 20 countries and demonstrated acceptance by the European, Asian, and Russian engineering analysis and scientific geodynamics community possesses. SAO also has 40 years of experience in Satellite Laser Ranging, developing instrumentation, deployment of field systems, and analysis and interpretation of data. Any attempt by another contractor to establish international liaisons and gain a broad technical understanding of numerous SLR systems in the international community represents a substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition and unacceptable delays in the daily operations of ongoing programs in the ILRS and NASA SLR network.? Any other persons desiring consideration are requested to fully identify their interest and capabilities in writing within 15 days of the date of publication of this synopsis 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 the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on July 18, 2006.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. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
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