V--AIRCRAFT SUPPORT DURING THE EXPERIMENTAL HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON FLIGHT OF THEEXTREME UNIVERSE TELESCOPE OBSERVATORY PROTO-TYPE TELESCOPE.

NASA/MSFC has a requirement for AIRCRAFT SUPPORT DURING THE EXPERIMENTAL HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOON FLIGHT OF THE EXTREME UNIVERSE TELESCOPE OBSERVATORY (EUSO) PROTO-TYPE TELESCOPE. NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the services from Helicopter Transport Services (HTS) of Ottawa Canada due to the fact that HTS has been selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the two previous balloon campaigns in Timmins, Canada and they have been contracted for support during this years balloon campaign to provide CNES/CSA aircraft support required by CSA. This experience provides HTS a unique capability for knowing the range of issues that may arise and the experience to handle issues in real-time for complex missions such as under-flying the EUSO balloon. HTS is knowledgeable and experienced with the existing interfaces and support equipment at the CSA launch facilities in Timmins, frequently uses the Timmins airfield facilities, and is familiar with CSA and Canadian airspace regulations. HTS is a Canadian based company with the required licenses and permits to operate in Canadian airspace and has the helicopter required for supporting the GLS operations. The GLS has been designed, built and tested using a Bell 205 helicopter in Tullahoma TN. The HTS Bell 407 has the required power and mechanical interfaces needed to install and operate the GLS during the under-flight of the telescope. The aircraft support will occur at night and the helicopter must fly without the hazard avoidance system in order to prevent a miss calibration of the telescope. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. 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 7/17/2014 to [email protected]. 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. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/p ub_library/Omb.html .