Integrated LCRD LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) User Modem and Amplifier (ILLUMA)

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Integrated LCRD LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) User Modem and Amplifier (ILLUMA) for multiple mission applications associated with satellite free space optical communication. NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will be an optical communications relay satellite that will be placed in Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) in the 2019 time frame. This GEO satellite will have the capability to receive an optical communications signal called the "forward link" from a transmitting terminal (i.e. from a ground station or a LEO satellite such as the ILLUMA) at a channel rate up to 2.88 Gbps and relay it to a receiving terminal. Initially the LCRD terminal will relay signals between two ground stations. Additional terminals in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) would greatly enhance the utility of the LCRD relay. The purpose of this procurement is to acquire a modem for use on LEO spacecraft that can communicate with the LCRD in GEO. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541712 and 1,000 employees, 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 the first week in February with an anticipated offer due date of on or about the first week in March. Additionally, going forward the solicitation # is changing to NNG17601579R. There will be no further notices under NNG17601579L NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html. Oral communications WILL NOT be accepted. The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for 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). All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.