A -- CONTINUED SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT FOR THE NEAR EARTH ASTEROID RENDEZVOUS (NEAR), THE MARS ODYSSEY '01 MISSIONS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DATA ANALYSIS SYTEMS FOR THE MESSENGER MISSION.

Notice Date

December 3, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 216, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Response Due

December 24, 2001

Point of Contact

Michele D Rasel, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 286-9403, Fax (301) 286-1773, Email michele.rasel@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Michele D Rasel (michele.rasel@gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GSFC intends to extend the current contract with the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) on a sole-source basis for continued scientific support for the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), the Mars Odyssey '01 missions, and the development of the data analysis systems for the MESSENGER mission to Mercury. The duration of the extension will be for 3 years. The authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1), Only One Responsible Source. CSC is the only organization currently qualified to perform this requirement for the following reasons: 1) Only CSC possesses the combination of the high-level scientific expertise, the detailed knowledge of the remote sensing planetary gamma-ray spectroscopy, the capability to carry out the operations in a manner in which the scientific operations and the flight operations can be merged, and the requisite educational opportunities and technology transfer experience. 2) CSC has leading experts in the field of remote sensing gamma-ray spectroscopy and in the development of analysis systems and theoretical modeling of planetary gamma-ray emission processing most essential to the interpretation of space flight data. CSC employs one of the participating scientists and co-investigators on the Mars Odyssey '01 and MESSENGER missions for science investigations in NASA's Mars and Discovery programs. 3) CSC has been involved in the planetary Gamma-ray remote sensing programs for over ten years and has been instrumental in the development of the basic data analysis for these systems. CSC has successfully supported the Mars and Discovery flights and program operations for over three years, and merged the science operations and mission operations. 4) CSC developed software for testing the instruments on-orbit, checking telemetry received for health and safety of the instruments, processing the raw data so that scientists can manipulate, display, and analyze the scientific data received, and producing summary data. This effort requires the detailed understanding of the instruments and flight computer and command and control electronics in the planetary spacecraft, and all related software. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Interested firms have 21 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. 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. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer, which shall be considered by the agency. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#99515)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011205/ASOL004.HTM (D-337 SN5142B4)