Heliophysics Community Data Access, Analysis, and Display Services

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for Heliophysics Community Data Access, Analysis, and Display Services with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire this product from UCLA, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.” GSFC is requesting the provision of retrieval, analysis, and display routines to enable the NASA (and other) Heliophysics (HP) community to utilize the data quickly and deeply from HP missions, especially those with NASA involvement, and emphasizing Space Physics (non-Solar, specifically including Heliosphere; Magnetosphere; and Ionosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere) missions. This service will provide the HP community a "one-stop" analysis service that will allow the efficient use of multi-instrument and multi­spacecraft data, as required for the next stages of HP science. This capability is singled out in the HP Decadal Survey of the National Academy of Sciences as being an essential missing ingredient in the HP Data Environment (HPDE), particularly for Space Physics. The provision of this service will require substantial knowledge of the scientific content of the data to be described and accessed, as well as the technical expertise required to deliver the service. NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to UCLA. The estimated period of performance for this cost-no-fee (CNF) contract will be for 5 years, from approximately September 20, 2022 through September 19, 2027. The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) is justified, because UCLA has been the only organization developing the foundations for this service for years, and they are unique in the depth of their understanding of both data archives and of the specifics of the NASA HP data products. Thus, they have unique knowledge and capabilities, as described below. NASA’s HPDE has matured greatly in the past decade, and now provides data to the Heliophysics community in generally straightforward and easy ways. The next stages of HP research will require even tighter integration of discovery and access to data as the focus of the field changes from single event studies to integrated, physics-based understanding and the predictive ability that will result from this. This integration requires innovation within a context of continuity that provides the basis for consistent efforts. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS) Group for Heliophysics Community Data Analysis Services has unique qualifications that will significantly enhance the utility and scientific import of NASA Heliophysics spacecraft data that are served by HP missions and Data Centers. One of the key ingredients identified for a successful HPDE is a set of “coordinated, user friendly analysis tools.” The service identified here continues to make a significant contribution to such a set. The tools that have been and will be developed and supported under this contract are roughly analogous to the “Solar Soft” and SunPy tools provided by the Solar Physics part of the HP community. The context of the service to be provided is given by the NASA Heliophysics Scientific Data Management Policy (see http://hdrl.gsfc.nasa.gov, specifically https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/heliophysics-data-heliophysicsdatapolicy) that details the HPDE and its role in HP science. Organizations who believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedules supported by this work should fully identify their interest and capabilities by email to Stefan Flessa at [email protected] no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on April 12, 2022. 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. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B.” Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.