NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 219, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF HIGH-ACCURACY GEODETIC TECHNIQUES UNDER NASA GODDARD'S GEODYNAMICS PROGRAMS SOL RFO5-92961739-261 DUE 042298 POC Martha E. Aldridge, Contract Specialist, Phone (301)286-6972, Fax (301)286-1739, Email Martha.E.Aldridge.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Martha E. Aldridge, Contract Specialist, Phone (301)286-6972, Fax (301)286-1739, Email Martha.E.Aldridge.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#RFO5-92961739-261. E-MAIL: Martha E. Aldridge, Martha.E.Aldridge.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO), on a sole source basis, to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Haystack Observatory for the development and build of Mark IV upgrades to the Mark 3 and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) Data Acquisition Systems. The upgraded systems will be part of the Mark IV Very long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) System. The upgrades require adapting the systems to a Mark IV formatter and adding another headstack and the supporting electronics. The upgrades will be complete when they are successfully implemented into the Mark IV system. Successful implementation means that, after the upgrades, the Mark IV system will produce tapes fully compatible with the Mark IIIA, Mark IV, and VLBA systems used for VLBI geodetic observations around the world. MIT's Haystack Observatory is currently working to design and build the Mark IV system. This work and the experience gained in the Observatory's previous VLBI work makes it uniquely qualified among Interferometry correlator sources to perform these upgrades. This procurement is authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2304) -- only one responsible source. However, any Interferometry correlator sources interested in providing these Mark IV upgrades at a competitive price should contact Liz Aldridge in writing at the address referenced above. All written responses are due by the date referenced on line 10, or 15 days from the publication date of this synopsis, whichever date is latest. Written responses may be faxed to (301) 286-1739. Numbered notes 22, 26 apply to this synopsis. NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the items from MIT-Haystack Observatory, under 10 U.S.C. 2304) -- only one responsible source. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Firm date for receipt of offers will be stated in the RFO. Notes 22 and 26 can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. (0097)

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