A -- CONCEPTUAL DESIGN STUDY FOR INFRARED IMAGER FOR USE WITH GEMINI-SOUTH ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM

Notice Date

June 19, 2001

Contracting Office

Gemini 8-M Telescopes Project, Aura, 950 N. Cherry Ave, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85719

ZIP Code

85719

Solicitation Number

N210816

Response Due

September 15, 2001

Point of Contact

Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, 520-318-8537

E-Mail Address

Click here to submit questions or comments regarding (aflach@gemini.edu)

Description

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. ("AURA") is seeking qualified parties to conduct conceptual design studies of a near-infrared imager that will be used in conjunction with the planned adaptive optics system on Gemini-South, which is located on Cerro Pachon, Chile. The conceptual design study phase will be an approximately 6 month effort starting in November 2001. The design study will include optical, mechanical, electronic, and software design elements, at the conceptual level needed to demonstrate the technical viability of the approach used. The study will also include a fixed price proposal for completing the instrument. The imager must be completed no later than mid 2004, in advance of the arrival of the planned adaptive optics system. The total funding available for conceptual design studies is $300,000, which includes funding for both direct and indirect (i.e., the equivalent of overheads) costs. Ideally this funding would be divided between two competing groups, so if possible, proposals should not exceed approximately half this amount. Gemini wishes to minimize cost and risk in developing this instrument through the use of existing designs for key subassemblies such as the vacuum jacket, structural space frame, telescope interface plate, relevant electronics and software. The designs for these subassemblies would be derived from Gemini's facility near-infrared imager (NIRI). Accordingly detailed design information about NIRI will be included with the Request for Proposal package on a CD-ROM. Teams may propose to use alternate designs for these subassemblies but may be at a competitive disadvantage in the evaluation process unless the alternative designs provide important benefits over using the NIRI designs. The total funding available for this instrument program, which includes the cost of the design study(ies), parts, labor, benefits, and overhead, is $4,250,000. This amount does not include the cost of the detector and controller package, which will be funded separately by Gemini. Important additional information regarding this opportunity can be found at: http://www.gemini.edu/science/mcao_ao/ Any National Gemini Office (NGO), collaboration of NGO's, institution, or company within any Gemini Partner country (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, United Kingdom or United States) is entitled to propose for the development of one or more conceptual designs of the imager. Parties who wish to receive Request for Proposal No. N210816 for this procurement should submit a letter of interest to: Gemini Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719, Attn: Contracts Manager, Request for Proposal No. N210816. Facsimile 520-318-8590. The Gemini Observatory is an international collaboration to build and operate two 8 meter telescopes, one located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the other located on Cerro Pachon in Chile. The Gemini partners include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Australia. The Gemini project is operated by AURA under contract to the National Science Foundation.

Web Link

Click here for a more detailed version of this Announcement (http://www.gemini.edu/science/mcao_ao/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010621/ASOL007.HTM (W-170 SN50P472)