Inactive 8(a) Sole Source (FAR 19.8)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NNG11PA03C with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to continue the flight operations and science analyses ... NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NNG11PA03C with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to continue the flight operations and science analyses of the LRO/CRaTER instrument, which is a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind instrument, aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft. UNH 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 initiating all calibration requests to the instrument, planning all instrument modes and turn-ons, 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 UNH. 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. Currently, UNH is the only organization qualified to perform the subject requirement for the following reasons: Only UNH possesses the high-level scientific expertise, the detailed design, test, and operations knowledge of the CRaTER instrument and LRO spacecraft, and the capability to integrate the CRaTER calibration, science operations and science data analysis. This is essential because most of the Instrument calibration and science operations flow from the science data analysis and require knowledge of both the Instrument science and Instrument design, test, and operation. Similarly, the science data analysis is enhanced by direct knowledge of the Instrument science operations. It would be unproductive to separate science operations from science data analysis. UNH scientists and engineers are unique in their familiarity with the CRaTER instrument design, testing, and calibration, as well as the LRO spacecraft. From 2005-2009, the UNH team (then resident at BU) designed, fabricated, calibrated, tested, and integrated the CRaTER instrument for the LRO spacecraft, including at the Spacecraft level after delivery to LRO. Under contract NNG05EB92C, the UNH team (while at BU and now UNH) successfully carried out the science operations of the CRaTER instrument on the LRO spacecraft since launch in June 2009. The current Principal Investigator, Dr. Nathan Schwadron of UNH, a leading expert in the field of space physics, was selected to replace Dr. Spence with NASA’s approval when Dr. Spence was promoted to the Director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space at UNH. Dr. Spence had been chosen by NASA Headquarters to lead the original investigation, based on an evaluation of his proposal submitted under Announcement of Opportunity for exploration measurements in NASA’s LRO Mission (AO NNH04ZSS003O). The CRaTER instrument is a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind instrument. In addition, UNH developed unique software for: 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 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. 2304(c)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations that believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedules 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.