Geospace Dynamics Constellation Presolicitation Synopsis and Draft Documents

You are invited to review and comment on the draft technical and requirements documents for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Study. The principal purpose of GDC is to understand how the high latitude ionosphere-thermosphere system responds to variable solar wind/magnetosphere forcing, and to understand how internal processes in the global ionosphere/thermosphere system redistribute mass, momentum, and energy. The GDC Design Reference Mission (DRM) is available at: https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/missionsupport/GDC_support.php The GDC DRM provides mission phases, constellation configuration, and predicted ephemeris based on a - proof of concept point design and is included for reference. This study requirement is to develop spacecraft concepts to support GDC mission formulation and to provide an assessment of the options related to the development of the flight and ground systems. The Contractors shall develop a spacecraft/observatory concept by selecting one of their heritage spacecraft designs and tailoring it to meet the GDC mission-unique requirements. The Contractors shall also provide an overview of the proposed heritage spacecraft capabilities and clearly delineate where mission-unique changes to the heritage spacecraft would be necessary. NASA GSFC requests all comments on the draft technical and requirements documents to be submitted no later than December 18, 2020. NASA GSFC plans to release the final solicitation in mid to late January 2021, with an anticipated three month period of performance for the study and an additional one month to prepare the final report and presentation. NASA intends to keep the solicitation open with proposals due approximately thirty (30) days after the Request for Proposal (RFP) is released. NASA intends to award multiple study contracts with a maximum of seven (7) Firm Fixed Price contracts valued at approximately $550,000 each. The anticipated contract award date is on or about April 30, 2021. All responsible sources may submit an offer when applicable, which shall be considered by the agency. This release of the draft of the technical and requirements documents is not a solicitation and NASA GSFC is not requesting proposals at this time. This request does not commit GSFC to pay any proposal preparation costs, nor does it obligate GSFC to procure or contract for this requirement. This request shall not be construed as authorization to proceed with, or be paid for charges incurred by performing any of the work called for in draft documents. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. This procurement is planned to be a full and open competition with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this procurement is 336414, with a size standard of 1,250 employees. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring the website www.beta.sam.gov for schedule updates, the release of the solicitation, and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below. All contractual and/or technical questions must be submitted in writing, via electronic mail. Questions must be submitted to the following electronic mail: stefan.d.flessa@nasa.gov. Questions over the telephone will not be accepted. The Government will consider all comments received in preparation of upcoming RFP. To the extent a comment leads the Government to revise the acquisition approach or requirements, the change will be reflected in the released RFP. Some questions and comments may receive a posted response via beta.sam.gov if the Contracting Officer determines that a response would facilitate additional understanding of the GDC requirements; therefore, please to submit your questions and comments in a manner that is publically releasable.