SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS PROGRAM
- Notice Date
- 9/27/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNH11ZDA019L
- Response Due
- 11/4/2011
- Archive Date
- 9/27/2012
- Point of Contact
- Dr. Jean Cottam, PCOS Chief Scientist, Phone 301-286-1586, Fax 301-286-1684, Email jean.cottman@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Dr. Jean Cottam
(jean.cottman@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its Physics of theCosmos (PCOS) Program are soliciting information through this Request for Information(RFI) pertaining to potential gravitational-wave science missions. Specifically, NASA isseeking information that can be used to develop concepts that meet some or all of thescientific objectives of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission.Information being sought includes relevant mission concepts, instrument concepts,enabling technologies, or any aspect of flight, ground or launch systems architecture.In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes onlyand is NOT intended to bind the Government. This RFI is not expected to lead to a futureprocurement.Background The future mission portfolio of NASAs Astrophysics Division is constrained by budgetaryresources. The Division is making a concerted effort to control cost growth of futurestrategic missions through a combination of improved early cost estimation, a moreconservative posture of cost reserves, and a reinvigorated technology developmentprogram.Since termination of the NASA/ESA partnership gravitational-wave mission, the LaserInterferometric Space Antenna (LISA), NASAs PCOS Program is developing alternative plansto address high priority scientific objectives described in the 2010 Astrophysics DecadalSurvey, New Worlds, New Horizons (NWNH) (NRC 2010,http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12951.html ). The PCOS Program Office will work with the science community to develop newgravitational-wave mission concepts satisfying some or all of the scientific objectiveslisted in Table 1. Such scenarios might include one or more space-based observatories.These scenarios will be presented to the National Research Councils Space Studies BoardCommittee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (CAA) for consideration. Recommendations from theCAA will subsequently be used to guide detailed development of scientific, technical, andcost information for future US gravitational-wave missions. Data from these conceptstudies will also be used to assess future technology needs for the AstrophysicsDivision. Information from the technology assessment will also be provided to the CAA. This Request for Information (RFI) is the first step in this process. Through this RFI,NASA is seeking information relevant to gravitational-wave mission concept(s) that willsatisfy some or all the scientific objectives listed in Table 1. The RFI also requestsstandalone instrument concepts as well as relevant key enabling technologies for suchmissions or instruments. Mission concepts should range in cost from ~ $300M to $2,000M inFY12 dollars.Science ObjectivesGravitational-wave observations address two of NWNHs top three science objectives:searching for the first stars, galaxies, and black holes; and advancing understanding ofthe fundamental physics of the universe. NWNH lists the most important science that LISA could achieve as the following:Measurements of black hole mass and spin will be important for understanding thesignificance of mergers in the building of galaxies;Detection of signals from stellar-mass compact stellar remnants as they orbit andfall into massive black holes would provide exquisitely precise tests of Einsteinstheory of gravity; andPotential for discovery of waves from unanticipated or exotic sources, such asbackgrounds produced during the earliest moments of the universe or cusps associated withcosmic strings.The Panel on Particle Astrophysics and Gravitation, the cognizant implementation panel ofthe 2010 Astrophysics Decadal Survey, gives a more detailed list of the science fromgravitational waves in the form of science questions and the gravitational-wavemeasurements expected to address those questions, reproduced in Table 1. Table 1. Science Questions and Gravitational-Wave MeasurementsScience QuestionsMeasurements Addressing the QuestionsHow do cosmic structures form and evolve?Tracing galaxy-merger events by detectingand recording the gravitational-wave signaturesHow do black holes grow, radiate, and influence their surroundings?Usinggravitational-wave inspiral waveforms to map the gravitational fields of black holes.What were the first objects to light up the universe, and when did they do it? Identifying the first generation of star formation through gravitational waves fromcore-collapse events.What are the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae and how do they explode? Detecting andrecording the gravitational wave signatures of massive-star supernovae, of the spindownof binary systems of compact objects, and of the spins of neutron stars.How do the lives of massive stars end?What controls the mass, radius, and spin of compact stellar remnants?How did the universe begin?Detecting and studying very-low-frequency gravitationalwaves that originated during the inflationary era.Why is the universe accelerating?Testing of general relativitya deviation fromgeneral relativity could masquerade as an apparent accelerationby studying strong-fieldgravity using gravitational waves in black hole systems, and by conducting space-basedexperiments that directly test general relativityAdapted from Panel Reports, New Worlds, New Horizons (NRC 2010,http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12982.html, box 8.2, p. 385)A summary of LISA sources, observing performance and associated science can be found inTable 8.1 of the NWNH panel reports (Panel Reports, New Worlds, New Horizons,http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12982.html, p. 390). This information is provided in table 2(below) for reference.Table 2: Table 8.1 from the Panel report (Panel Reports, New Worlds, New Horizons,http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12982.html, p. 390).Table 3 summarizes the LISA top-level science requirements, and is also provided forreference. Table 3. Top Level LISA Science Requirements SummaryQuantityRequirementStrain amplitude spectral density Single link IMS displacement noise amplitude spectral density X0=18, f0= 2 mHzDRS displacement noise amplitude spectral density Single test mass DRS acceleration noise amplitude spectral density A0=30, fH= 8 mHz, fL= 0.1 mHzMeasurement Band0.1-100 mHzOperational lifetime5 yrOperating interferometersLISA shall be designed for 3 spacecraft with 6 workinglinks (2 interferometers) and the design shall ensure 2 operating arms for the fullmission duration.Advanced notice of mergerIdentify and announce the time of a massive black holemerger at least two weeks prior to the mergerInstrument noise monitoringDistinguish between instrumental and environmental noiseand gravitational-wave signals above the sensitivity threshold when all three arms areavailable.Observing interruptions 4 days uninterrupted data acquisition around merger time with 2weeks advanced notice.Table 3 adapted from LISA Mission Concept Document (LISA PRJ-RP-001, Iss. 1, Rev. 1, 26August 2011, http://lisa.gsfc.nasa.gov/Documentation/LISA-PRJ-RP-0001.pdf ).A comprehensive description of LISA science and sources can be found athttp://lisa.gsfc.nasa.gov/Documentation/LISA-LIST-RP-436_v1.2.pdf. Requested Information: The response to this RFI will be in the form of a PDF document that is uploaded throughNASAs NSPIRES system (see instructions below). The response should not exceed ten (10)pages in length.The response should contain the following information:Name of submitter and contact information including all team members,institutional affiliations, and email addresses. Note that a lead submitter orpoint-of-contact must be identified (name and position, organization, email, phonenumber);Category of response: List all applicable and provide brief description of eachin less than 20 words. oMission concept,oInstrument concept,oEnabling technologies,oOther;Answer to these questions:oWill you be willing to participate and present your concept at the workshop ifinvited? oDoes your organization have any sensitive or controlled information (e.g., exportcontrolled, proprietary, competition sensitive) that might be useful for this exercise?If so, are you willing to discuss this information with NASA if proper arrangements canbe made to protect the information? The response should be submitted in a format most effective for conveying theinformation (e.g., white paper, presentation charts, technical paper, other). Theresponse should include, at a minimum, the following information:oA description of the concept or technology including a list of key performanceand technical parameters. Performance parameters include strain sensitivity, residualacceleration noise, and/or measurement sensitivity. Technical parameters include mass,power, and dimensions. The technical readiness level (TRL) of key components should belisted. Sufficient technical detail should be provided so that the level of complexityand technical readiness can be assessed.oA description of how the concept or technology fulfills some or all of thegravitational-wave science payoffs (Table 2). oA rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) total cost, plus a brief explanation of how thiscost was estimated. The ROM cost will be used to bin concepts into the following costcategories: small ($300-$600M), medium ($600M-$1B) and large ($1B-$2B). Future PlansWithin two weeks of release of this RFI, NASA will release an open solicitation invitingmembers of the astronomy community to participate in a gravitational-wave astrophysicsmission Community Science Team (CST). The CST will work with the astronomy community andthe PCOS Program Office in reviewing all RFI responses and defining mission concepts atvarious cost points between $300M to $2,000M.As part of the definition process, NASA will sponsor a workshop this Fall (2011) topresent:a)The latest information regarding the landscape and circumstances that surroundformulation and implementation of the next gravitational-wave mission (or missions);b)A summary of the information received in response to this RFI; andc)Potential mission scenarios for further study.All responders to this RFI, as well as the broader community, are invited to attend theworkshop and participate in this process. The workshop will serve as a forum forreceiving community input for mission concept(s) definition. The CST and the PCOS ProgramOffice will use the RFI responses and the workshop input to define mission concepts atvarious price points. These concepts will undergo more detailed definition and costestimation using NASAs mission design laboratories in collaboration with the study teamconsisting of CST members plus PCOS Program Office staff. The final product of this effort will be a report describing scientific capabilities thatcan be achieved at various cost points as compared to LISA, the science achieved by theEuropean Space Agencys proposed gravitational-wave mission (if selected), and otherscience missions in the time frame of the proposed mission. The report will also describeeach mission concept, its scientific capability, technical readiness and overall cost. Inthe Spring of 2012 the PCOS Program will release this study report to the community andpresent it to the CAA of the National Research Councils Space Studies Board.Disclaimer It is NASAs intent to publicly disclose information obtained through this RFI and toincorporate relevant portions into the workshop proceedings and the final study report.Responders shall not submit proprietary information, export controlled information(including ITAR restricted information) or confidential information in response to thisRFI. It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, orInvitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject toFAR Clause 52.215-3 titled Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes, and isNOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractualagreement, nor will the Government pay for any information submitted in response to thisRFI. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If asolicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA AcquisitionInternet Service (NAIS). It is the potential Offerors responsibility to monitor thesesites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. The Government reserves the rightto consider a small business or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. As part of itsassessment of industry capabilities, NASA-GSFC may contact respondents to this Requestfor Information (RFI), if clarifications or further information is needed. Respondentswill not be notified of the results of the evaluation.Instructions:All responses submitted in response to this RFI must be submitted in electronic form viaNSPIRES, the NASA online announcement data management system, located athttp://nspires.nasaprs.com/. For this RFI, a response submission will take the form ofa Notice of Intent (NOI) within NSPIRES. The RFI response itself will be a PDF-formatteddocument that is attached (uploaded) to the NSPIRES system.You must be registered with NSPIRES to submit a RFI response. See registrationinstructions at http://nspires.nasaprs.com (select Getting an account). Neitherinstitution registration nor an institution affiliation is required to respond to thisRFI.1.Log in to your account at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.2.Select Proposals from your account page.3.Select Create NOI from your proposals page.4.Click Continue on the next page.5.Select Request for Information: NNH11ZDA019L (Concepts for the NASAGravitational-Wave Mission) from the bullet list of announcements. Click Continue.6.Enter RFI response title (NOI title field will be shown).7.Select do not link at this time for submitting organization page.8.Click Save on next page.9.It is not necessary to complete any of the NOI Details; all requestedinformation must be included in the attached PDF document. Information which is enteredinto NOI Details but not included in the attached PDF document will not be considered.10.Prepare your RFI response offline and save as a PDF document (note NSPIRESinstructions on PDF formats). The response document must include the respondents Name,institution, phone number, and E-mail address so the file is self-contained. File namesformat should be Respondent Last Name - First Name - RFI. The response should notexceed ten pages in length.11.To attach (upload) your PDF document:a.Click add under NOI attachments section;b.Select Proposal Document from the drop down list;c.Browse to attach your PDF file;d.Select Upload;e.Click OK;f.Your RFI document has been uploaded to NSPIRES.12.Click Submit NOI button. NOTE that this does not complete the submissionprocess.13.Ignore any warnings about incomplete NOI elements. Ensure that your NOI documentis attached and click Continue.14.Click Submit. This will take you to the NOI submission confirmation page, whichprovides you with the NOI/RFI number for your records.Please note: You may delete and replace form fields and uploaded documents anytime beforethe submission deadline. Submitted NOIs cannot be deleted.For further information on this RFI, please contact Jean Cottam, PCOS Chief Scientist, atjean.cottam@nasa.gov. You may also contact the NASA HQ PCOS program officers, JayaBajpayee, PCOS Program Executive, at jaya.bajpayee-1@nasa.gov, and Rita Sambruna, PCOSProgram Scientist, at rita.m.sambruna@nasa.gov. Please check http://pcos.gsfc.nasa.gov/ for the most up to date information on the program.
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