A--PHASE 2 (IMPLEMENTATION) OF THE ADVANCED BASELINE IMAGER

On or about April 29, 2004, NASA will issue final instructions to Ball Aerospace Corporation, Boulder, CO, to ITT Industries, Fort Wayne, IN, and to Raytheon, Goleta, CA, for the Phase 2 (Implementation) of the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) competition. These companies were awarded contracts for Phase 1 (Formulation) under the progressive competition procedures described in NASA FAR Supplement 1817.7300(c) and 1817.7301-5. On or about March 15, these Phase 1 contractors will be provided preliminary documents for comment and will be provided an opportunity to "dry run" the oral presentation that is a requirement of the Phase 2 competition, prior to release of the final instructions.. While NASA's expectation is that only these Phase 1 contractors will be able to successfully compete for Phase 2, all proposals will be considered. However, a proposal from any such additional offeror(s) must demonstrate a design maturity equivalent to that of the Phase 1 contractors. This demonstration must include Completion of a Preliminary Design and the results of completed trade studies and analysis (fully compliant with Phase 1 Contract Statement of Work). Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate level of design maturity may render a proposal unacceptable with no further consideration for contract award. All of these conditions were disclosed during the full and open competition for Phase 1. Any responsible source may indicate its desire to submit a proposal for the implementation phase and request the opportunity to "dry run" the oral presentation. Preliminary documents and the final instructions to the Phase 1 contractors, when available, will be provided to potential additional offerors upon request. Requests for the preliminary documents or for the final instructions to the Phase 2 contractors must be directed to Clelia Walker, Code 210.7, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771. E-Mail: contact@example.gov, Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B".