JPL Science Biology and Geology Designated Observable Study Request for Information

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is an operating division of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), staffed with Caltech employees, and is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Subcontracts are issued under a prime between Caltech and NASA. BACKGROUND: JPL is researching qualified suppliers for an architecture trade study in support of the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) Designated Observable Study Team. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conduct Decadal Surveys that - sample thoroughly the research interests, aspirations, and needs of a scientific community. Through a rigorous process, a primary survey committee and thematic panels of community members construct a prioritized program of science goals and objectives and define an executable strategy for achieving them. These reports play a critical role in defining the nation's agenda in that science area for the following 10 years. In December 2018, the second decadal survey in Earth science and applications from space (ESAS 2017) was completed and the final report - Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space was issued. The survey's overarching task was to generate - recommendations for the environmental monitoring and Earth science and applications communities for an integrated and sustainable approach to the conduct of the U.S. government's civilian space-based Earth-system science programs. The interpretation of this charge resulted in recommendations that would, within known constraints such as anticipated budgets, advance Earth system science and deliver critical information to support a broad range of national economic and societal needs. (See http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DEPS/ESAS2017/index.htm) The SBG Designated Observable was one of five high value NASA Designated Observables recommended in the 2017 National Academies Earth Decadal Survey. SBG will enable improved measurements of Earth's surface that provide valuable information on a wide range of Earth System processes. The specific SBG targeted observables - surface biology and geology, functional traits of terrestrial vegetation and inland and near-coastal aquatic ecosystems, active geologic processes, ground and water temperature, gross primary production (GPP), and snow spectral albedo, are to be implemented with a maximum recommended development cost to NASA of $650M. The Decadal Survey has identified five Most Important and seven Very Important SBG science objectives. Observation Architecture concepts and technologies that achieve these Most Important and Very Important objectives will be evaluated. High spectral resolution (or hyperspectral) imagery in the visible and shortwave infrared (VSWIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) provide desired capabilities to address important geological, hydrological, and ecological questions. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. The purpose of this RFI is to gain market knowledge of potential qualified sources relative to NAICS Code 541715. Responses to this RFI will be used by JPL to make appropriate Acquisition decisions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOPE: The SBG Study's objective is to identify the following three (3) objectives: 1. Identify and characterize a diverse set of high value SBG observing architectures 2. Assess the performance and cost effectiveness of architectures against SBG research and applications objectives 3. Perform sufficient in-depth design of one or more candidate architectures to enable near-term science return Please review Attachment 1: Table 1 and Table 2 attached to this RFI for more detail on the study's objectives. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS: Please provide the following information illustrated on Attachment 2 attached when responding to this RFI. Architecture Concept Responses are limited to no more than five (5) pages with the subject line of the submission being RFI for Science Biology and Geology Designated Observable Study. Responses are to be submitted in PDF format with file size not greater than 8MB. RESPONSE DUE DATE: Please provide documentation (e.g., certifications of business size, DUNS #, etc.) for your company, and any partnering company for this effort, if applicable. JPL anticipates receiving your response to Attachments 2 and 3 no later than Wednesday, July 29. Note: Responses are needed by April 10 to support planned design sessions for architecture evaluation, although JPL will continue to accept responses until July 3. DISCLAIMER: The requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such a procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in the furnishing of this information. Prospective subcontractors are advised that any information provided shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data.