Inactive 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NNG09EK06C with the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) for the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (... NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NNG09EK06C with the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) for the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (DLRE) Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission. UCLA is currently performing both the instrument operations, which include instrument operations planning, scheduling, and engineering parameter review and trending, as well as the science operations, which include planning all instrument modes, table loads, calibrations, and data dissemination to the co-investigators and to the general scientific community through the Planetary Data System (PDS). NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to UCLA. The estimated period of performance of this cost-no-fee (CNF) contract extension will be for four and a half (4.5) years, from 16 March 2020 through 15 September 2024. UCLA, in partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is the only organization currently qualified to perform the subject requirement for the following reasons: 1) Only UCLA possesses the high level scientific expertise, the detailed knowledge of the Diviner instrument and LRO spacecraft, and the capability to carry out the targeting and operations in a manner in which the scientific operations and the flight operations can be merged. 2) Current Diviner team members are unique in their familiarity with the Diviner instrument design, testing, and calibration, as well as the LRO spacecraft. From 2005-2009, UCLA and JPL designed, fabricated, calibrated, tested, and integrated the Diviner instrument with the LRO spacecraft, including testing at the Spacecraft level after delivery to LRO. Under contract NNG09EK06C, UCLA has successfully carried out the science operations and science analysis of the Diviner instrument on the LRO spacecraft since LRO launch in June 2009. Additionally, Dr. David Paige of UCLA is a leading expert in his field of planetary geophysics. He was selected by NASA Headquarters to lead the investigation, based on the evaluation of his proposal submitted under the Announcement of Opportunity for exploration measurements in NASA’s LRO Mission (AO NNH04ZSS003O). The Diviner instrument is a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind instrument. UCLA developed unique software and processes for: (a) testing the instruments on-orbit, (b) creating the operational table loads, (c) processing the raw data so that scientists can manipulate, display, and analyze the scientific data received, and (d) producing summary data. This effort requires the detailed understanding of the instrument and all related software. Since no other organization was involved with these activities on an in-depth level, no other organization currently has the knowledge and experience to perform the requirement. Statutory authority for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 304(c)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations that believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedule supported by this work should fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on 2 January 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. An Ombudsman has been appointed.