Very Long Baseline Interferometry Development & Maintenance

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continued support of the NASA Space Geodesy Project (SGP) in development and maintenance of NASA’s Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) stations, the processing of VLBI data, and support for the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). This effort will be a follow-on to an existing contract (80GSFC20C0078) with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Haystack Observatory (HO).

The contractor shall continue to support the NASA Space Geodesy Project in the development and maintenance of NASA’s VLBI stations, the processing of VLBI data, and support for the IVS. This effort includes research and development of the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) in support of the NASA SGP. Additionally, the contractor shall continue the development and deployment of MIT/HO’s VGOS signal chains (based on the MIT/HO developed VGOS signal chains currently in use at three (3) existing NASA stations); data processing support in the form of correlation of geodetic VLBI data using the MIT/HO correlator facility, SGP/IVS related operations of MIT/HO’s Westford antenna; and engineering support for the MIT/HO developed equipment in the operational VLBI stations within the NASA Space Geodesy Network (NSGN).

NASA GSFC intends to issue a sole source award to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item utilizing FAR Part 12.

Interested parties may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing via email to Cassandra.Moore@NASA.Gov no later than 4:00 P.M. EST on November 29, 2024. Such capabilities and 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 their capabilities and qualifications which shall be considered by the Agency.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.