A--JDEM TELESCOPE CONCEPT STUDY

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) intends to issue a Request for Proposal(RFP) for development of a conceptual telescope design to meet the requirements of theJoint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM). The JDEM is a space-based, medium aperture, widefield, optical telescope with visible and near-infrared (NIR) imaging and spectroscopyusing HgCdTe detectors. JDEM will survey the sky to accurately measure the magnitude and redshift of a largesample of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), spectroscopic redshifts of a large sample ofgalaxies for Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) studies, and accurate shape parameters andphotometric redshift measurements of a large sample of galaxies for Weak Lensing (WL)studies. The Telescope Assembly portion of the observatory is expected to be a Three MirrorAnastigmat (TMA) with multiple tertiary mirrors that will provide the optical train tothe Government developed JDEM instrument. The JDEM telescope is expected to have aprimary mirror size of 1.5 meters in diameter and operate at a temperature of less than243 Kelvin. The JDEM observatory is expected to be launched aboard a NASA provided EELVto an orbit around the Sun-Earth second Lagrange point (L2) and operate for a minimum of5 years. NASA contemplates evaluating and selecting multiple offers (approximately 2) based on theproposals as submitted and providing each of the study participants a not to exceed costof $400K for a five month study. This study activity is intended to determine feasibletelescope concepts based on the preliminary requirements. The study will assess thecritical thermal, optical, mechanical and dynamic environments that drive the performanceof the JDEM telescope, as well as the critical cost, schedule and technical performancedrivers. NASA will provide preliminary mathematical models of the spacecraft andinstrument for use by the study participants in the development of integrated models oftheir telescope conceptual designs. The models will provide preliminary information onspacecraft and instrument interfaces and forcing functions, including mechanical,thermal, optical and dynamic considerations. The study will also request results oftrade studies performed in the course of the study, the results of integrated modelingperformed for the proposed design concept, and a description of the telescope integrationand test flow along with a recommended optical test flow at temperature. Cost andschedule estimates for the design, build and test of the JDEM telescope will also begenerated. It is anticipated that the information relative to this concept study,including a draft Statement of Work, will be posted to the JDEM website athttp://jdem.gsfc.nasa.gov.The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26.The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541330 and 500, respectively. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about July 1, 2009 with an anticipatedoffer due date of on or about July 31, 2009.An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B".The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over theInternet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may beaccessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GSFCBusiness Opportunities home page ishttp://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51 Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It isthe offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of thesolicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible fordownloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referencednotes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below. All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.