Description
NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the following:- Acquire a fast, ~12-m antenna for installation at GGAO, Greenbelt, MD to demonstratethe broadband Very Long Baseline Interferomerty (VLBI) concept.- Obtain, test, characterize, and use broadband feeds with frequency-stable phase centersand low noise amplifiers appropriate for these feeds to demonstrate the broadband VLBIconcept. - Design, build, test and use dewars and cryogenic systems to contain the broadband feedswith frequency-stable phase centers and low noise amplifiers appropriate for these feedsto demonstrate the broadband VLBI concept. - Design, develop, build, test, characterize and use enhanced Up-Down Converters, phasecalibration and noise calibration modules to demonstrate the broadband VLBI concept.- Design, develop, build, test, characterize and use upgraded digital back ends todemonstrate the broadband VLBI concept. - Upgrade Mark 5b+ recorders to Mark 5c to demonstrate the broadband VLBI concept.- Upgrade the wiring between components to optical fiber to demonstrate the broadbandVLBI concept.NASA/GSFC intends to issue a Request For Proposal for a modification under contractNNG05HY04C to purchase the service on a sole-source basis from Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT). The authority for other than Full and Open competition is 10 U.S.C2304 (c) (1), Only One Responsible Source.MIT has designed and built the operational versions of the Mark-1, Mark-III, Mark-111A,and the Mark-IV VLBI data acquisition systems and correlators, which have been the mostsuccessful VLBI systems in terms of producing important geodetic VLBI results. MIT isthe only organization with VLBI experience necessary for this effort. The Mark IVcorrelator used to process the test data is located at MIT. As such, MIT is the onlyorganization suited for modifying and upgrading the Mark IV correlator to support theVLBI 2010 research and development effort.The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26.See Note 22 Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform theeffort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local timeon March 23, 2009. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for thepurpose 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 opencompetition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretionof 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.Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.