66--AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS TEST LABORATORY SPACE TO GROUND ANTENNA REPLACEMENT

NASA/JSC has a requirement to procure a ground test replacement for the flightspare International Space Station (ISS) Space to Ground Antenna (SGANT) previously in usein the Electronic Systems Test Laboratory (ESTL) for ground testing of InternationalSpace Station Ku-Band communications system components and for resolution of on-orbitanomalies. The ISS Flight Spare SGANT previously used in the ESTL for ground testcapability is being launched for an on-orbit spare.NASA/JSC intends to purchase the replacement antenna from Canadian Commercial Corporationas the prime contractor and MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Corporation (MDA),Information Systems, the original SGANT manufacturer as the subcontractor, pursuant toFAR 6.302-1.The ESTL SGANT Replacement (ESR) antenna is required to have identical RF characteristicsto the flight SGANT antennas. The ISS Program is upgrading the current Space to GroundSubsystem (SGS), of which the SGANT is one component, via the Obsolescence DrivenAvionics Upgrade (ODAR) Project, increasing the forward and return link data rates to25Mbps and 300Mbps, respectively. Because the antenna is the limiting factor for theforward and return link data rate increases and is not being upgraded, a functionallyidentical replacement for the SGANT is required for valid test results and riskmitigation to the ISS for the ODAR project, mission anomaly resolution support, andground testing of future modifications to the ISS SGS Communications System. Inaddition, to avoid redesign of the current antenna mounts and handling fixtures in theESTL, the SGANT replacement must be a form and fit replacement. The SGANT is a customantenna manufactured by MDA to the ISS Program requirements in document number 10033009International Space Station Program Communications and Tracking Equipment DevelopmentSpecification SGS Antenna Group. MDA possesses the Radio Frequency (RF) EngineeringFeed, Offset Tool RF Reflector, and the special tooling, processes, and proceduresnecessary to produce and deliver the form, fit, and functionally equivalent ESR antennarequired to ensure the fidelity of ESTL test results. Failure to obtain an identicalreplacement places testing of the ISS ODAR system at risk of obtaining invalid test dataand therefore flying replacement hardware with unproven end-to-end transmissioncapability, places resolution of mission anomalies at risk of being unresolved, andplaces future upgrades to the ISS SGS at risk of invalid test results and flying withunproven capability.The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26.Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform theeffort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local timeon January 9, 2009. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for thepurpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and opencompetition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretionof the government.Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.