NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 287 Greenbelt, MD

A -- DIGITAL SUN SENSOR SOL RFP5-16827/238 POC DARLENE WALTER, CONTRACTING OFFICER, (301)286-4239. Digital Sun Sensor (DSS). NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)5-16827/238 on a sole source basis to Adcole Corporation for all the necessary personnel, facilities, and materials to fabricate, and test a DSS head and a DSS electronic box for spaceflight use with options for up to two additional DSS heads and two additional DSS electronic boxes. The DSS electronics will interface with the Attitude Control Electronics (ACE) and be used for payload attitude control for the TRACE Small Explorer (SMEX) mission. The Attitude Control and Stabilization Branch/Code 745 is currently utilizing an Adcole digital sun sensor in the SMEX attitude control system design. The initial procurement of this particular device was in 1990 under contract NAS5-30902 with delivery beginning in 1991. As a result of the selection of the TRACE mission, a new attitude control system is required for this spacecraft. The attitude control system requires an identical device which must meet the current specification to provide the same form, fit, and function, withstand a minimum total dose of electron and proton bombardment of 100 K rad, and be electrically and mechanically interchangeable with the existing units. This requires that the mechanical envelope, weight, power, transfer functions, electrical interface, and thermal properties be identical to the original units to avoid the costly redesign of the attitude control systems and the accompanying attitude control system software. If any other device is used, the cost to design new safehold electronics and update the attitude control software, the ACS dynamic simulator software, and all associated component, subsystem, and spacecraft level procedures would be significant. Since TRACE is on an extremely tight schedule, the flight qualified DSS head and DSS electronic box must be delivered within 18 months of contract award. Over the past 25 years, Adcole Corporation has designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered numerous digital sun sensors for space flight use to various customers. As a result of these efforts, Adcole Corporation has furthered its unique capabilities in the field of digital sun sensors. Furthermore, this requirement is a continuation of the existing NASA SMEX effort and requires extensive knowledge of the previous work performed. Adcole Corporation is the only company that can provide a DSS head and DSS electronic box capable of meeting the specifications without significant development time and cost, which would impact the TRACE schedule. Adcole Corporation is considered uniquely qualified under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. Any persons desiring consideration are requested to fully identify their interest and capabilities within fifteen (15) days of the publication of the synopsis to the GSFC Contracting Officer listed above. See Note(s): 22. (0129)

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