SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Segmented Telescope Technologies and Integrated Telescope/Coronagraph Systems-Level Engineering Designs and Modeling - RFI - Astrophysics
- Notice Date
- 2/7/2017
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20771
- Solicitation Number
- NNG17FB02RFI
- Archive Date
- 4/4/2017
- Point of Contact
- Dean Patterson, Phone: 3012868085, Shana Faris, Phone: 301-286-8274
- E-Mail Address
-
dean.s.patterson@nasa.gov, shana.n.faris@nasa.gov
(dean.s.patterson@nasa.gov, shana.n.faris@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- RFI - Segmented Telescope Technologies and Integrated Telescope/Coronagraph Systems-Level Engineering Designs and Modeling NASA is soliciting information to conduct market research regarding industrial capabilities to (1) carry out end-to-end integrated telescope/coronagraph systems-level engineering design and modeling studies to advance large (10 m-class) segmented-aperture telescopes and (2) develop needed technologies in support of such telescope concepts. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes only and is not intended to bind the Government. 1. Background: In early 2016, the NASA Headquarters Astrophysics Division (APD) identified four large mission concepts and chartered associated study teams to develop compelling science cases and the associated mission designs for consideration by the 2020 National Academies Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics. These concepts are candidates for development to follow the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). Three of the four concepts are expected to require precise and stable opto-mechanical systems to achieve the large apertures required for their scientific priorities: Origins Space Telescope (OST), the Habitable Exoplanet (HabEx) Imaging Mission, and the Large UV/Optical/IR (LUVOIR) Surveyor. More information about these studies can be found at: • HabEx: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/habex/ • LUVOIR: https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/ • OST: https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/firs/ Information Sought: NASA is creating plans for developing large segmented optical systems beyond JWST. If funding is available, NASA's initial studies will focus on designs and models for integrated telescope/coronagraph systems. Rather than funding specific hardware development at this time, the recommendation is to develop and study systems-level optical design/architectures to identify drivers for error budgets leading to a specific hardware technology development roadmap that could be funded in subsequent years. Two types of segmented-aperture observatory concepts have been identified for consideration. For missions focusing on advancing astronomy at ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths (i.e., HabEx and LUVOIR), particularly for directly imaging and spectroscopically characterizing exo-Earth candidates, the assessment recommended that a key technology priority should be showing a path to achieve the needed sub-nanometer wavefront stability. For missions focusing on advancing astronomy at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths (i.e., OST), the assessment recommended that a key technology priority should be to dramatically reduce mirror manufacturing and verification costs enabling future missions to have larger and less-expensive telescope primary mirrors. Based on responses to this RFI, NASA may issue options for: (1) a funded study activity that lasts only a single year that results in plausible engineering design(s) and technology development plan and/or (2) a funded activity lasting several years that advances the technology described in the year-one plan. This RFI requests respondents to describe their capability, past experience, and methodology to carry out relevant studies for up to four options (see instructions in Section 4). These options are as follows: (1) Under the assumption of one year of available funding, a systems-level Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis and engineering design(s) along with a technology development plan for a large (10-m-class) highly stable segmented-aperture telescope with sub-nm figure error, that advances astronomy in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths, specifically for exo-Earth imaging and spectroscopic characterization using a coronagraph. (2) Under the assumption of more than one year of available funding, in the first year a systems-level engineering design(s) along with a STOP analysis and a technology development plan for a large (10-m-class) aperture highly stable telescope with sub-nm figure error, that advances astronomy in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths, particularly for exo-Earth imaging and spectroscopic characterization using a coronagraph. In subsequent years, a technology development program may be carried out consistent with priorities derived from the first-year's work. (3) Under the assumption of one year of available funding, a systems-level engineering design(s) along with a STOP analysis and technology development plan for a large (10-m-class) highly stable segmented-aperture telescope that advances astronomy at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. (4) Under the assumption of more than one year of available funding, a systems-level engineering design(s) along with a STOP analysis and a technology development plan in the first year for a large (10-m-class) highly stable segmented-aperture telescope that advances astronomy at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. In subsequent years, a technology development program may be carried out consistent with priorities derived from the first-year's work. Respondents are not required to respond to all four options above and may choose to respond to only aspects of this RFI that best suits their capabilities. Notes: • For options (2) and (4), assume a total of four years of funding. • In all cases, should funding become available, a modest fraction of first-year funding may be available for technology development relevant to the mission concept. 3. Disclaimer It is NASA's intent not to publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained during this RFI process. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as "Proprietary" or "Confidential" will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 titled "Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes", and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information submitted in response to this RFI. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. It is the potential offeror's responsibility to monitor the FedBizOpps site for the release of any solicitation, synopsis, or related documents. All questions shall be submitted in writing to the points of contact listed below. As part of its assessment of industry capabilities, the NASA-GSFC may contact respondents to this Request for Information (RFI) if clarifications or further information is needed. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the analysis of the RFI responses. 4. Instructions to Respondents: NASA's Physics of the Cosmos and Cosmic Origins Program Office appreciates responses from capable and qualified sources, specifically private or public companies of all sizes. In developing responses to this RFI, partnership is permitted with other companies, NASA Centers, universities, research institutions of all kinds, federally funded research and development centers, and government research laboratories. RFI responses shall include the following information: • Name of corporate point of contact, telephone number, full mailing address, and e-mail address. • General description of corporate competencies and past performance experience with regard to the systems-level opto-mechanical space telescope design and possible subsequent technology development activities, including a discussion of your company's investment (or internal R&D) in these areas. • Respondent's previous experience in managing and/or maturing relevant spaceflight technologies as described in this RFI, including cost and schedule performance. • Respondent's capabilities for end-to-end design and modeling (STOP analysis) of opto-mechanical systems. • Respondent's knowledge and past experience relevant to highly stable, high-precision, large opto-mechanical systems, especially, but not necessarily limited to, segmented space telescopes. • Summary of respondent's capabilities to carry out any or all of the four options summarized in Section 2, including but not limited to: o Activities that can be carried out within about the first year of each study (i.e., the systems-level design study) and approximate cost. o The respondent's capabilities, including examples, to carry out both the systems-level study, as well as subsequent technology development. • Summary of respondent's considerations about partnerships in the activity, if funded (e.g., other industry partners, involvement with academia and/or the strategic missions' STDT/study team or other entities). If respondent is already engaged with potential partners in developing this RFI response, identify the partners. • Willingness and capability to partner with NASA by providing in-kind support, facilities, resources, cost sharing of R&D funds, etc. If so, specify the nature of partnership resources that may be available. • A summary of how the technology priorities will be derived from the systems-level design. • Identification of priority technologies that can be pursued before completing the first-year systems-level study (i.e., technology areas likely to be important regardless of engineering study completion). • Discuss the following as relevant to the subject of this RFI: o Greatest technical challenges ("tall poles"). o Suggested multi-year R&D program plan and major milestones to reduce risk and mature to TRL 6 specific aspects of each technical challenge, cost per challenge, and major milestones; list assumptions and caveats. o Major trades and trade options; list assumptions and caveats. o Promising telescope/instrument approaches, along with main concerns relevant to each that require additional development and/or technology maturation work; list assumptions and caveats. o Verification that each design and/or plan achieves science performance "closure" as a system, i.e., that the design and/or plan meets all requirements simultaneously. o For exo-planet-relevant designs and plans, estimation methodology for how many potentially habitable exoplanets the design would be able to identify; list assumptions and caveats, including assumed population of such planets, length of mission, etc. o Methodology for determining the required operating temperatures for detectors and optics. 5. How to Respond: Technical questions can be directed to Dr. Azita Valinia (note that as mentioned above, responses will be treated as proprietary information and will not be shared outside the Program Office team, which may include contractor personnel supporting this effort). Procurement questions should be directed in writing to: Dean Patterson. All final submissions shall be submitted via e-mail to both points of contact listed below no later than March 20, 2017, 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time. Files may be submitted in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF). All responses shall include an executive summary of no more than two (2) pages. Responses shall not exceed 40 pages, including the executive summary and any supporting documentation. A page is defined as one (1) sheet 8 1⁄2 x 11 inches using a minimum of 12-point font size for text and one-inch margins. Responses must properly mark proprietary information. Reference RFI Number NNG17FB02RFI in any response. RFI Points of Contact: Contracting Office Mailing Address: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S Greenbelt, MD 20771 United States Technical Point of Contact: Name: Dr. Azita Valinia Title: Deputy Program Manager Physics of the Cosmos and Cosmic Origins Program Office Phone: 301-286-8237 E-mail: Azita.Valinia-1@nasa.gov Primary Procurement Point of Contact: Name: Dean Patterson Title: Procurement Manager Phone: 301-286-8085 Fax: 301-286-1670 E-mail: Dean.S.Patterson@nasa.gov Secondary Procurement Point of Contact: Name: Shana Faris Title: Contract Specialist Phone: 301-286-8274 E-mail: Shana.N.Faris@nasa.gov
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- Record
- SN04395024-W 20170209/170208000119-503f685ad3ce98d9957cf83b706d4662 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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