NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the development of engineering model and flight model Electron Spectrometer Power Converter (ESPC), Ion Spectrometer Power Converter (ISPC), and Data Processing Power Converter (DPPC) electronic boards, and associated documentation for the Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI). NASA/GSFC is responsible for providing the key science suite in support of the Level 1 mission objectives for the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. This is accomplished through the development of a suite of instruments called the FPI. The FPI is made up of four (4) Dual Ion Spectrometers (DIS), four (4) Dual Electron Spectrometers (DES), and an Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU). Each FPI suite will fly on each of the four MMS spacecraft.
The primary requirement for this procurement is the development-through-delivery of: 1) One (1) Engineering Model (EM), one (1) Qualification Model (QM) and eighteen (18) ESPC assemblies for the FPI DES; 2) one (1) EM, one (1) QM and eighteen (18) ISPC assemblies for the FPI DIS; and 3) two (2)EM, two (2) QM and twelve (12) Flight Model DPPC assemblies for the FPI IDPU.
NASA/GSFC intends to issue Request for Proposal No. NNG08243785R, on a sole-source basis to Space Power Electronics, Inc.. The authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source.
Space Power Electronics, Inc. (SEI) is the only known company to develop the specialized electronics for low voltage power supplies in support of altimeter and spectrometer instruments such as those developed at the GSFC. At this time, no other ESPC, ISPC, and DPPC technology has demonstrated the capability of meeting the low power FPI scientific requirements needed for the MMS mission within the schedule required. SEI developed the power supplies for the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) and the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) instruments, which were built in-house at the GSFC. The ESPC, ISPC, and DPPC for FPI are required to be nearly identical in function and efficiency to the Power Control Assembly developed for these previous instruments. SEI is the only known source with the necessary expertise and capability to meet the stringent low power, high efficiency requirements of the MMS mission.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
See Note 22.
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 June 6, 2008. 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.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
A firm date for receipt of proposals will be stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP).
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
