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Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator (POEMM) THIS IS *NOT* A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE. The Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator (P... Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator (POEMM) THIS IS *NOT* A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE. The Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator (POEMM) is a proposed far-infrared astronomy mission. It is currently under development as an Internal R & D project at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, with an expected outcome of a flight mission proposal in late 2021. The POEMM optical system consists of a 2.0 m Nasmyth-Cassegrain imaging telescope and a cryogenic Dewar holding additional optics and detectors. The system will be used for infrared astronomy in the 25 – 120 µm waveband. The payload will be deployed on an Ultra-Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) gondola operating at approximately 38 km altitude. This RFI is comprised of four basic areas of interest, and responses to any or all of these areas will be considered. It’s assumed that the mirrors and structure will be made of Al. Primary Mirror Fabrication- The large convex paraboloid primary mirror design, fabrication, and test are a critical first step in the instrument system design. Understanding the trade-offs in light-weighting, gravity self-deflection, thermal effects, performance, cost, and schedule are needed as soon as possible. Since this is an infrared telescope, the secondary mirror is the aperture stop, and the primary is slightly (~1%) oversized. Secondary and Tertiary Mirror Fabrication- The secondary mirror is significantly smaller and lighter, and a more conventional optical fabrication may be appropriate here. But the mirror will be a convex hyperboloid, so testing will not be trivial. We do not envision any active control of the focus, tip/tilt, or decenter of the mirror, but provision for ground alignment should be considered. The tertiary mirror is a flat with an elliptical aperture. Metering Structure Fabrication - Mounting the two mirrors, controlling their relative positions, and mounting to the balloon gondola all need to be addressed here. The telescope will be altitude-azimuth pointed. The mechanical interface between the telescope and gondola structures is on the elevation axis. The maximum inertial loading occurs on parachute deployment and is approximately 10g. System Integration, Alignment, and Test - Assembling the three pieces of the telescope system, developing a plan and error budget for alignment, assessing the final performance of the system at ambient, and developing a prediction for the performance at altitude. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information from industry on capability and interest in producing the telescope element of the Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator (POEMM). Supplier input is requested on the following section of the RFI. A. Primary Mirror Specifications Feedback on the parameters for the primary mirror is requested i. Diameter 2.02 m clear aperture, plus any extra needed for fabrication ii. Thickness Notionally 200 mm for a 10:1 ratio, but subject to design considerations iii. Light-Weighting Desired for total weight reduction and gravity self-deflection iv. Prescription Current design is for an f/1 paraboloid. R = 4000 mm concave, k = -1 v. Surface Quality and Tolerance Radius Tolerance +/- 20 mm Surface error 280 nm rms vi. Operating Environment Operating temperature 220 K Observation angle to the horizon, 0 – 60 degrees Surface quality specification to apply in the operating environment vii. Coating Protected Au coating suitable for the 25 – 120 µm waveband B. Secondary Mirror Specifications Feedback on the parameters for the secondary mirror is requested i. Diameter 344 mm aperture, with good surface quality to the edge ii. Thickness Notionally 35 mm for a 10:1 ratio, but subject to design considerations iii. Light-Weighting Probably not required, but open for consideration. iv. Prescription Current design is for an ~f/1 hyperboloid. R = 758.1 mm concave, k = -1.4942 v. Surface Quality and Tolerance Radius Tolerance +/- 2.5 mm Surface error 280 nm rms vi. Operating Environment Operating temperature 220 K Observation angle to the horizon, 0 – 60 degrees Surface quality specification to apply in the operating environment vii. Coating Protected Au coating suitable for the 25 – 120 µm waveband C. Tertiary Mirror Specifications Feedback on the parameters for the tertiary mirror is requested i. Size of elliptical apertures 250 x 340 mm full aperture, with good surface quality on a 240 x 330 mm clear aperture ii. Thickness Notionally 35 mm for a 10:1 ratio, but subject to design considerations iii. Light-Weighting Probably not required, but open for consideration. iv. Prescription Flat v. Surface Quality and Tolerance Surface error 140 nm rms vi. Operating Environment Operating temperature 220 K Observation angle to the horizon, 0 – 60 degrees Surface quality specification to apply in the operating environment vii. Coating Protected Au coating suitable for the 25 – 120 µm waveband D. Metering Structure Specifications Feedback on the parameters for the metering structure is requested i. Overall Length Approximately 2.5 m from the secondary mirror to the image surface ii. Mirror Relative Alignment Tolerance Focus +/- 0.2 mm Decenter +/- 0.1 mm Tilt +/- 3 arcmin iii. Mirror Relative Stability Tolerance Focus +/- 0.05 mm Decenter +/- 0.05 mm Tilt +/- 1 arcmin iv. Operating Environment Operating temperature 220 K Observation angle to the horizon, 0 – 60 degrees Mirror relative alignment to apply in the operating environment Mirror relative stability to apply over the duration of 1 hour Vibration, launch, and retrieval perturbations (10 g?) E. System Integration, Alignment, and Test Specifications Feedback on the parameters is requested i. System Performance Diffraction limited at 25 µm Wavefront error (WFE) < 1.8 µm rms ii. Mirror Relative Alignment Tolerance Focus +/- 0.2 mm Decenter +/- 0.1 mm Tilt +/- 3 arcmin iii. Mirror Relative Stability Tolerance Focus +/- 0.05 mm Decenter +/- 0.05 mm Tilt +/- 1 arcmin iv. Operating Environment Operating temperature 220 K Observation angle to the horizon, 0 – 60 degrees Mirror relative alignment to apply in the operating environment Mirror relative stability to apply over the duration of 1 hour This RFI is to solicit information from industry and promote competition. For planning purposes, we are requesting that the responses to this RFI be approximately 10 pages and include the following information: Comments of the specifications. A list of technical risks that potentially need to be addressed along with a mitigation plan. A cost and schedule rough order of magnitude for any or all of the four basic areas of interest. Based on your response, you may be contacted for clarification and possible demonstrations of the technology. To consolidate our planning, responses from industry are requested by November 6, 2020, in the form of written and illustrated concepts for each element. Responses must be submitted via email. The subject line of the submission should be "RFI for POEMM,” and attachments should be in Microsoft WORD, POWERPOINT, or PDF format. The email text must give a point-of-contact and provide his/her name, address, telephone numbers, and email address. The information is requested for planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3, entitled "Solicitation for Information for Planning Purposes." It is not NASA's intent to publicly disclose vendor proprietary information obtained during this solicitation. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as "Proprietary or Confidential" will be kept confidential. It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in beta.sam.gov and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offeror’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Technical questions can be directed to Matthew Greenhouse, matt.greenhouse@nasa.gov (Please note - Responses should be marked as proprietary. Cost and schedule information can be provided in an addendum to the technical response.) Procurement questions should be directed, in writing to: Shanita Boykin at shanita.l.boykin@nasa.gov