As stated in the October 24, 2006 synopsis regarding the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey, plans to issue an RFP for the LDCM Mission Operations Element. The LDCM Mission Operations Element (MOE) will be used to operate the LDCM observatory from the Mission Operations Center (MOC). The primary functions of the MOE include command and control, mission planning and scheduling, trending and analysis, and flight dynamics. The MOE will also perform observatory health and safety monitoring functions, on-board storage management and flight software management. The draft Mission Operations Element Requirements Document (MOERD) includes more information on the MOE such as draft functional requirements and interfaces. The draft LDCM Operations Concept Document also provides additional information regarding the operation of the LDCM. Both of these documents can be accessed on the LDCM website at http://ldcm.gsfc.nasa.gov .
In preparation for procurement of the MOE, the LDCM project seeks candidate approaches and information from industry regarding the following topics:
1. Reference architectures for systems that would meet MOE requirements, including high-level block diagrams/flow charts, general functional descriptions, and physical space requirements. Include any past experiences at adapting similar mission operations architectures to other spacecraft. Identify any features or processes that minimize the unique development required for this adaptation.
2. The extent to which Commercial Off-the-Shelf tools and products may be used to meet MOE requirements, areas requiring customization, and the extent of customization needed. Include any examples of past experiences, previous mission operations systems developed using a COTS/GOTS based approach
3. Approaches for integration and testing of the MOE with the flight spacecraft/observatory and mission readiness testing with the flight operations team including past experiences, lessons learned, and approaches to reduce risk.
4. Approaches for the development, conversion, and validation of flight command and telemetry databases, procedures, and displays, when such items are provided by multiple organizations. Include any past experiences, lessons learned, and recommended approaches to reduce risk.
5. Feedback regarding the CCSDS Draft Recommendation for Space Data Systems, 660.0-R-2, XML Telemetric & Command Exchange, Red Book, December 2005, and possible application of the draft recommendation or use of common database and style formats for the LDCM flight databases.
6. Approaches to meeting MOE automation and availability/up-time requirements, including any use of service-oriented architectures. Related to this, the LDCM project seeks feedback on the use of a Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center (GMSEC) or GMSEC-like architecture for the MOE. Additional information on GMSEC is available at http://gmsec.gsfc.nasa.gov and http://opensource.gsfc.nasa.gov .
7. Feedback on the MOE interface to the LDCM Collection Activity and Planning Element (CAPE). The principal function of the CAPE is to perform instrument tasking and scheduling as an input to the MOE for command generation. Feedback should include past experience, lessons learned, and recommended approaches regarding this type of functional interface.
8. High-level development schedule for the MOE spanning the time from a MOE contract award (authorization to proceed) to launch, showing significant mission integration & test and review milestones, including:
a. MOE PDR and CDR
b. first interface testing with spacecraft
c. delivery to Mission Operations Center (MOC)
Schedule should include explanations/descriptions of MOE functionality/ maturity corresponding to each milestone.
9. Rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for full development, integration, testing, deployment, and 5 years of on-orbit sustaining engineering of the LDCM MOE. The estimate should include any assumptions (e.g. deliverable documents) and should highlight major cost drivers and opportunities for cost savings such as trade offs between development costs for automation and operations costs/staffing.
10. List any identified risks associated with MOE development, and recommended approaches to reduce/mitigate risk.
Please provide written responses to this RFI no later than December 14, 2006. Concise responses are encouraged and appreciated. Responses must be submitted to Patricia Dombrowski (Patricia.M.Dombrowski@nasa.gov) or B. Faye Johnson (Betty.F.Johnson@nasa.gov). Organizations interested in providing responses or additional information in person are requested to schedule a briefing/meeting during the week of January 15, 2007. Call the LDCM project at 301-286-2053 to schedule an appointment.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
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. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GSFC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51
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). -
