NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO) for Flight Operations of the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer Program (FAST) satellite.
NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the items from The University of California at Berkeley (UCB) on a sole-source basis. The authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. UCB is the only organization currently qualified to perform this requirement for the following reasons: 1) Only UCB possesses the high level scientific expertise, the detailed knowledge of the satellite, the capability to execute the operations in a manner in which the scientific operations and the flight operations can be merged, along with the requisite educational opportunities; 2) UCB designed, fabricated, calibrated, tested, and integrated the science instruments and flight computer on the FAST spacecraft from 1989-1996, and, UCB has been carrying-out the flight operations of the FAST satellite since its launch in 1996 resulting in their scientists and engineers having unique knowledge of the FAST satellite and its flight computer software systems; and 3) UCB scientists have led the effort in the community to analyze the data from the FAST satellite, and are currently the only organization with the capability to perform the combined scientific and flight operations in conjunction with the educational opportunities.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
See note 22.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B".
Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.
Firm date for receipt of offers will be stated in the RFO.
All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GSFC Business Opportunities page is
http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=C&pin;=51
Any referenced notes may be biewed at the following URLs linked below.
