DSS-33 Antenna and Pedestal at CDSCC

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), an operating division of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) staffed with Caltech employees, is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Contracts with JPL are funded by NASA and are subcontracts under a NASA prime contract with Caltech.

The California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is surveying industry to gauge the interest of potential proposers in an anticipated competitive procurement for the one 34-meter, multi-frequency, center-fed beam waveguide azimuth-elevation antenna (34m BWG Antenna) and pedestal known as Deep Space Station 33 (DSS-33). This antenna will be located at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC), at Tidbinbilla. CDSCC is operated and maintained by CSIRO on behalf of NASA. The complex is located at 421 Discovery Dr, Paddys River ACT 2620 and was established over 50 years ago.

The purpose of this RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their business classifications. This is not a solicitation announcement. JPL is looking into potential qualified sources who have experience placing mass concrete and erecting antenna structures. Responses to this RFI will be used by JPL to make appropriate Acquisition decisions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOPE:

The Subcontractor shall provide one 34-meter, multi-frequency, center-fed beam waveguide azimuth-elevation antenna (34m BWG Antenna) and pedestal at DSS-33, located at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC), at Tidbinbilla. The Subcontractor shall be responsible for the following: construction of the concrete foundation and two-story concrete pedestal, backfill, electrical installation, fabrication, shop proof assembly, factory testing, site erection, alignment, verification, and site testing of the antenna structure and associated mechanical devices. The Subcontractor shall furnish all labor, materials, supplies, equipment, tools, machinery, and services necessary to complete the task.

The following items will be Government Furnished Property (GFP) and shall be installed and aligned by the Subcontractor: main reflector panels, mirrors, and subreflector. The procurement and installation of the servo is not the responsibility of this Subcontractor; however, the Subcontractor shall install the shelter and hardware as identified in the drawings to support this effort. JPL will provide the excavated hole for the pedestal and ramp construction with sufficient area around the future antenna graded for antenna assembly and erection.

DSS-33 PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Subcontract Award Date: September 2025


• Antenna Beneficial Occupancy Date (BOD): September 2028
  
  
  
  • For access by JPL to the antenna for installation, integration, and testing of JPL-furnished RF and other front-end electronics.
  
  
  
  


• Operational Date: October 2029

ANTICIPATED MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

a. Subcontractor construction and installation day to day crew at CDSCC shall be Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident only.

b. Subcontractor shall have construction and project management experience with a similar project in magnitude and complexity within the past 5 years.

Each potential bidder is requested to provide the following:

• Answers to the questions in the Letter of Interest Response Form

Although all comments received will be carefully reviewed by JPL and considered for inclusion in the formal Request for Proposal (RFP), JPL makes no commitment to include any particular recommendations. It is anticipated that the formal RFP will be issued in January of 2025.

Please submit your expression of interest by October 25, 2024 to the undersigned by electronic mail at Jamilla.Magno@jpl.nasa.gov. Your participation and responses are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact the undersigned via email.

DISCLAIMER: It is emphasized that the information provided is preliminary and subject to change as JPL continues to refine the RFP requirements. The requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such a procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the U.S. Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in furnishing any information. Prospective subcontractors are advised that any information provided shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for any accidental disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data.