Heliophysics Community Data and Simulation Metadata and Standards Services with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for Heliophysics Community Data and Simulation Metadata and Standards Services with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). These services will significantly enhance the utility and scientific import of NASA Heliophysics (HP) spacecraft and simulation/modeling data that are served by NASA HP missions and Data Centers, as well as other groups. NASA/GSFC requires infrastructure support for a needed service within the HP data system, as is necessary for the stability and success of the Heliophysics Data Environment (HPDE). Additionally, NASA/GSFC requests metadata and other standards support for the HPDE with an emphasis on missions and simulations that have NASA involvement, but ultimately including all missions and simulations that are relevant to NASA HP science. The services will also include maintaining and disseminating related standards, such as recommended formats for Event Lists (a type of data product), recommended data directory and file naming structure, and standards for an HP data transfer API and related data transfer formats. The provision of this service will require substantial knowledge of the scientific content of the data to be described and accessed, as well as the technical expertise required to deliver the service. NASA/GSFC intend to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to UCLA. The estimated period of performance for this cost-no-fee (CNF) contract will be for 5 years, from approximately October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2021. UCLA has been the only one developing the foundations for this service for years, and they are unique in the depth of their understanding of both data archives and of the specifics of the NASA HP data products. Thus they have unique knowledge and capabilities, as described below. NASA's HPDE has matured greatly in the past decade, and now provides data to the Heliophysics and broader community in generally straightforward and easy ways. The next stages of HP research will require even tighter integration of discovery and access to data as the focus of the field changes from single event studies to integrated, physics-based understanding and the predictive ability that will result from this. This integration requires innovation within a context of continuity that provides the basis for consistent efforts. The Space Physics Archive, Search and Extract (SPASE) Group has unique qualifications for providing the services required in this context. They have been developing the required services since the inception of the current approach to HP data archiving (around 2004). They are unique in having produced many automated tools for the use and documentation of metadata required for the HP Data Archives. The SPASE Group also has deep connections to the community, including HP contacts world-wide and links to related groups such as the Planetary Data System and international partners, that are essential for obtaining buy-in, and they have initiated outreach to the community for education in the use of the services. They are the only group doing all these things for this type of data system enhancement. Statutory authority for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations who 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 September 16, 2016. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose 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 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. See Note 26. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.