NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771

18 -- INCREASING THE DATA COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES FOR THE SOUTH POLE SOL NSF1 DUE 052699 POC Leif L. Grotos, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 286-7586, Fax (301) 286-0530, Email Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Sharon M. Collignon, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-9874, Fax (301)286-0530, Email Sharon.M.Collignon.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#NSF1. E-MAIL: Leif L. Grotos, Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) are investigating innovative methods of increasing the broadband data communications capability between the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and the continental U.S. The NSF has begun an aggressive refurbishment effort to create a world class science facility at the geographic south pole for up to 110 visiting scientists and support team members for continuous year-round operations to support advanced astronomy, astrophysics, seismology, space physics, and climate research. Telescience (remote instrument operations, real-time remote data analysis, distributed science teams, remote diagnostics, etc.) will be the paradigm for the evolving science program. The science program could generate in excess of 30 Gbytes/day of data and information by instrumentation operated by remote observers world-wide by 2007. As such, data communication to and from the South Pole facility has become a critical issue in the ability of the facility to meet the needs of the scientific community. The present approach is based upon scarce, aging government geosynchronous satellites that have drifted into North-South orbit inclinations of 9 degrees or higher, providing only limited daily contact directly to the South Pole. This will not meet capacity, availability, or reliability needs for the future and is at risk of failure due to advanced spacecraft age, systems failures, and lack of on-orbit spares. The aerospace and commercial communications industries, as well as academia and the public at large are invited to submit suggestions, concepts and novel ideas for consideration in solving this extremely difficult problem. Terrestrial (e.g., non-satellite), hybrid satellite-terrestrial, and innovative satellite concepts are all encouraged. The results of this inquiry will assist the NSF in shaping the communication infrastructure and communications budget for the redeveloped South Pole Station -- now under construction and to be completed for operations by 2005. Specific goals are to obtain, by 2005, a continuous (24-hr/day) Internet capability with data rates in excess of 50Mbps for interconnection to the U.S. Next Generation Internet infrastructure. A phased approach is preferred, if possible, as not all of the capability will be required immediately. Phasing can be in terms of scheduled increases in bandwidth as well as scheduled increases in network availability. Ultimately the full bandwidth will be desired 24 hours per day. Of particular interest are commercial solutions that would allow the NSF to buy communications services in much the same way as is currently common within the continental United States or with international/intercontinental service. Additionally, it is encouraged that respondents also consider hybrid commercial/government arrangements, especially in such cases where the unique location of Antarctica requires the government as a partner to facilitate access and mitigate operations constraints. Specifically, please respond to the following: 1. Describe your suggested approach and the implementation method. 2. Summarize the technical and business risks anticipated. 3. Estimate the cost/price of your approach to the NSF in terms of nonrecurring and recurring cost. Some definition of the rationale for the estimates would be appreciated in order to determine the scope of the costs and associated risks. 4. For commerical/government partnerships, please sketch an outline of the relationship envisioned referecnes to any precendents that might serve as models. Concepts for international industry/government partnerships might be possible would also be welcome. 5. For purely commercial solutions, what sort of conditions must exist to make the approach economically viable? Currently, is there a credible business case for commercial communications services to the Antarctic continent which might include services to the geographic South pole and the New South Pole Station? What benefits might exist for Antarctic regions/applications other than the South Pole Station, to include the surrounding oceans and the Antarctic programs of other countries? To assist in the formulation of your concept, the following background information is provided: 1. The geographic south pole is beyond line of sight to the standard geosynchronous satellite orbit 2. The nearest Antarctic station to South Pole Station with standard geosynchronous commercial satellite service is the U.S. McMurdo Station, at 78 deg. S/167 deg. E, approx. 850 miles from South Pole 3. Information on Antarctica and the NSF managed United States Antarctic Program can be found at the following World Wide Web addresses: (a) http://www.nsf.gov/home/polar/start.htm (general NSF information on polar research); (b) http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/ (the Office of Polar Programs); (c) http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/frequent.htm (frequently asked questions); (d) http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/support/southp.htm (South Pole Station); (e) http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/wwwsites.htm (links to other Antarctic and polar sites); (f) http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/support/bidders/ppt/patsmith.htm (briefing on USAP IT infrastructure, from a solicitation not related to this request for information); (g) http://cfa-www.harard.edu/~aas/SPUC (U.S. Antarctic Program South Pole Science User's Committee, meeting minutes and special reports onn computing and communications); (h) http://www.asa.org/ (National Science Foundation USAP prime support contractor, Antarctic Support Associates, background information on the U.S. Antarctic Program and operations); (i) http://www.delm.tas.gov.au/comnap/ (Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, information on all international Antarctic program activity and stations); and (j) http://www.icair.iac.org.nz/index_old.html (International Center for Antarctic Information and Research, Univ. of Cantebury, New Zealand, informative information source of world-wide Antarctica related information). Currently there are no plans to release an acquisition for a New South Pole Station communications infrastructure until and unless a viable, cost effective approach can be substantiated. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the CBD. It is the potential offeror's responsibility to monitor the CBD for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. For the data to be of the most use to the Government, interested parties should submit information by July 15, 1999 to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Attn: Leif Grotos, Code 214.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771. For further information please contact, by phone or Email, Mr. Leif Grotos at 301-286-7586 or Leif.L.Grotos.1@gsfc.nasa.gov or Mr. Jim Adams at 301-286-1289 or jim.adams@gsfc.nasa.gov. Information submittedseparate and apart from commercial brochures will be treated as proprietary, if so marked. Posted 05/04/99 (D-SN327326). (0124)

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