NAI Request For Information

March 20, 2008 / Written by: Wendy Dolci

Collaborative Technology Tools and Methods For Distributed Interdisciplinary Science

Response Date: April 23, 2008

The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) is soliciting information on ways to enhance its use of collaborative technologies for conducting distributed interdisciplinary research in astrobiology. NAI is seeking information from those with insight on ways to improve the use and impact of these technologies across the Institute, and with expertise on the social, technical, and other barriers to their adoption. The NAI is requesting information on state-of-the-art tools and methods, as well as promising new technologies, that may help the NAI further achieve its mission now and into the future.

Background

The NASA Astrobiology Institute was created in 1998 as a “virtual” institute to connect geographically dispersed teams of scientists conducting interdisciplinary research in astrobiology—the study of the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. The inherent interdisciplinarity of astrobiology requires that scientists collaborate across a wide range of disciplines in the astronomical, geological, and biological sciences. Thus connecting scientists across disciplines as well as over distance is central to the goals of the NAI. The diversity of collaboration within the NAI is facilitated through electronic and telecommunications networking; frequent personnel exchanges; mutual participation in field investigations; and ongoing workshops, seminars, and courses, many conducted by means of collaborative technologies.

The Mission of the NASA Astrobiology Institute and its Member Investigators is to advance the field of astrobiology by:

• carrying out, supporting, and catalyzing collaborative interdisciplinary research in astrobiology;
• training the next generation of astrobiology researchers;
• providing scientific and technical leadership on astrobiology investigations for current and future space missions;
• exploring new approaches using modern information technology to conduct interdisciplinary and collaborative research amongst widely-distributed investigators; and
• supporting Education and Public Outreach by providing scientific content for K-14 education programs, teaching undergraduate classes, and communicating directly with the public.

A large volume of reference material is available at the Institute’s website, including descriptions of NAI research projects, information on commonly used collaborative tools, and archives of virtual seminars conducted by the NAI. Additional background material is provided in the National Research Council’s Space Studies Board decadal evaluation of the Institute, Assessment of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. This assessment is a valuable source of insight into the Institute and its future. Responders should pay particular attention to the NRC’s recommendations in section 5 of the Assessment, entitled “Use of Information Technology.”

Information Requested

The NAI requests information in the following areas:

• The innovative use of state-of-the art and emerging collaborative technologies and methods for scientific research. Examples of technologies that are of interest include: immersive environments, virtual and mirror worlds, supercomputing, high-speed networking, and high-resolution image displays. The NAI seeks information on current, state-of-the-art tools and methods and their best near-term application to NAI’s activities, and information on tools and techniques that are on the horizon and likely to become available within the next 5-10 years.
• The use of collaborative technologies and methods to facilitate communication. The NAI requests information on state-of-the-art and emerging collaboration tools for connecting people and research groups across distance. This may include new and innovative uses of existing tools (such as videoconferencing, WebEx, podcasting, etc.), and/or new emerging applications and technologies. The NAI seeks information on success and failure modes for distributed teams, and how this information may be used to the Institute’s benefit. Information is sought on best practices in combining virtual communication with face-to-face interactions to maximize productivity. Information is requested on ways in which collaborative tools such as social networking applications can be used to support communication, the generation and furthering of ideas, the discussion and refinement of existing theories and lines of research, and the sharing of research results.
  
  In addition, the NAI seeks information on ways in which collaborative tools may be used to expand the boundaries of the NAI to include researchers in the broader astrobiology community. Information on fostering and supporting a participatory group of “emeritus” NAI researchers (i.e. those who have formerly been members of NAI teams but who are no longer on teams), is sought, as are new and innovative ways to structure and implement the NAI’s large, membership-wide General Meetings (200-500 people) using collaborative technologies to include broader community attendance.
• The use of collaborative tools and techniques to lower operating costs. The NAI requests information and ideas on cost savings that might be achieved through the use of modern technology. For example, the NAI seeks ideas on implementing meetings that simulate as closely as possible the interactions in face-to-face meetings, so that travel costs can be reduced.

The NAI is not seeking to build new tools, but to make the best use of existing and emerging technologies.

Although all comments received will be carefully reviewed and considered for inclusion in a later action, the Government makes no commitment to include any particular recommendations.

All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled and protected accordingly. NASA will likely provide proprietary information to its support service contractors who are under an obligation to keep third-party proprietary information in confidence. Data marked as non-proprietary will be shared with the NAI Executive Council (the Principal Investigators of the NAI teams), and may be made publicly available. By submitting a response to this RFI, the responder is deemed to have consented to release of Proprietary information to such NASA support service contractors, and to release of non-proprietary information publicly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned.

It is possible that a solicitation will follow this RFI. The Government reserves the right to select the most appropriate method of procurement when issuing the solicitation. If a solicitation is issued, it is anticipated that funding would be in the $200,000 – $400,000 range.

Responses are requested by 4:30 PM Pacific Time, April 23, 2008. Interested respondents are requested to submit their capability/qualification statements, response to the RFI, via email, to Beatrice.M.Morales@nasa.gov. In all responses, please reference NAI – Request_ for_Information in the subject line and on all attachments. Only Word and pdf document formats will be accepted. The responses shall not exceed 15 pages in length – including written text, figures, and capability/qualification statements. Verbal questions will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a request for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract or agreement, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response to this request. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. This procurement is subject to review or cancellation at any time.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the respondent’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. The URL for the NASA/ARC Business Opportunities page is http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/services/proc/home.tml

An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note “B”.

Point of Contact:

Name: Beatrice Morales
Title: Grant Officer
Phone: 650-604-2074
Fax: 650-604-0912
Email: Beatrice.Morales-1@nasa.gov

Name: Sharon L. Connolly
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 650-604-6927
Fax: 650-604-0912
Email: Sharon.L.Connolly@nasa.gov

Please refer to NASA’s Acquisition Internet Service for the official posting of this announcement.