SOURCES SOUGHT
18 -- The United States Air Force is seeking information from interested parties on a replacement for current space-based and ground based space environmental monitoring capabilities.
- Notice Date
- 7/18/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 336415
— Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Space Command, SMC - Space and Missile Systems Center, 483 North Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, CA, 90245-2808, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-07182007
- Response Due
- 8/17/2007
- Archive Date
- 9/1/2007
- Description
- The United State Air Force is seeking information from interested parties on a replacement for current space-based and ground-based space environmental monitoring capabilities with a possible start in 2010. Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Block 5D3 carries a five sensor DMSP Space Environmental Sensors (SESS). The Air Force has a requirement to continue to collect space environmental data in the most cost effective way possible when the DMSP mission ends. Likewise, current ground-based space environmental monitoring capabilities are approaching the end of their design life and are in need of refurbishment or replacement. These capabilities include the Solar Observing Optical Network (SOON), Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN), and other ground based sensors. Together, these space-based and ground-based space environmental monitoring capabilities generate data stored in the Joint Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) Database (JMDB) at Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) and used by Space Weather Analysis and Forecast System (SWAFS) for analysis, specification, and forecast of the ionosphere, magnetosphere, thermosphere, solar surface, and solar wind/ Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). This JMDB space weather data is run through SWAFS software algorithms and models and used by AFWA?s 2nd Weather Squadron to analyze and forecast space environmental impacts on communications, radar, satellite operations, space tracking, navigation, and intelligence collection systems. Additionally, SWAFS software products and space environmental data from the JMDB are coupled with satellite command and control (C2) and state of health (SOH) data to generate space situational awareness (SSA) products at the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC). End-to-end continuity of space environmental monitoring, analysis, specification, and forecasting capabilities is required for environmental data fusion in support of SSA. Many studies have been accomplished that point out the importance of space weather. NSSA developed credible space architecture in 1999. The AF is interested in continuing the collection of data from a DMSP SESS mission as well as upgraded ground sensors. However, equally as important as data gathering is the importance of exploiting the data, the rapid ingestion, processing analysis and dissemination in a manner suitable to user needs. Thus, the Air Force is interested in talking with organizations (government, labs, spacecraft, and spacecraft sensor contractors) who understand the effect of space weather on their systems and mission areas. Though this RFI addresses the space segment of the space weather end to end architecture, future RFIs may seek feedback from contractors and labs on data exploitation. Any future acquisition program will be structured to support a block approach to development and technology insertion. Block 1 will be low risk using proven technologies (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7+) integrated on proven bus and launch vehicles provided by contractors with a documented proven track record of mission success. We are planning to implement incremental delivery strategy to more rapidly provide initial capability, while concurrently investing in science and technology (S&T) development to support later blocks. This is in line with the Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Agent for Space?s letter dated 14 March 2007, titled ??Back to Basics? and Implementing a Block Approach for Space Acquisition?.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 483 North Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, California
- Zip Code: 90245
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 90245
- Record
- SN01345582-W 20070720/070718221754 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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