SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- White Light Project
- Notice Date
- 9/5/2007
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mountain Region Acquisition Division, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, CO, 80305-3328, UNITED STATES
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-NWWX9000-7-17634JW
- Response Due
- 9/20/2007
- Archive Date
- 10/5/2007
- Description
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administrations Acquisition & Grants Office, Mountain Region Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with The Catholic University of America, Office of Sponsored Programs, 620 Michigan Ave.,Washington, DC 20064. Background: NOAA/SEC physicists have been awarded a NASA LWS grant to develop new techniques for applying multi-view white-light observations of the solar corona to improve understanding and forecasting of Earthward-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The sole source determination is based on NOAA/SEC requirement for instrumental calibrations, background corrections, and methodology needed to extract accurate polarization data for the NOAA/NASA/LWS Stereo White-Light Project. Additionally, image data, corrected images and analytic expertise from the STEREO project for SEC research are required as well as expertise on polarization issues. The project utilizes adaptations of two different techniques. One is the geometric localization technique developed at SEC, based on simple triangulation of points along the periphery of the CME as seen from the two views provided by the twin STEREO spacecraft. The other is the polarization analysis technique. Period of performance is 1 year with an option to extend for 1 more year, contingent upon acceptable performance, and the availability of funds. Reports are required for each performance period. The work is to be conducted at the recipient?s home institution, making use of its equipment and resources. The Catholic University of America is the only vendor that can meet the NOAA/SEC requirement for the instrumental calibrations, background corrections, and methodology needed to extract accurate polarization data for the project because the polarization technique was developed by Dr. Moran at The Catholic University, and Dr. Davila at NASA/GSFC. Additionally, Dr. Moran?s expertise as a consultant for polarization issues is vital to combining successfully the results of polarization and geometric localization techniques in the new area of multi-view coronal analysis. Further, Dr. Moran, in collaboration with Dr. Davila, pioneered use of Polaroid imagery of CMEs using single-view SOHO/LASCO coronagraph data. In a landmark paper in Science (305, 66, 2004), they demonstrated for the first time that meticulously corrected polarization data could be used to obtain an impression of the three-dimensional structure of CMEs, a feat long hoped for by coronal physicists but never actually achieved. Dr. Moran?s work on the instrumental corrections was a key element in unlocking the power of polarization information for this application. In addition, his close collaboration with Dr. Davila, project scientist for the STEREO mission, his experience with handling real SOHO/LASCO data, and his familiarity with the STEREO instrumentation make him a unique fit to provide the corrected images and analytic expertise needed for the SEC project. The image data for the project will be provided by the NASA STEREO mission, which should begin producing binocular views of the corona in mid-summer of 2006. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide services and data that fully meet the Government?s requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation 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 conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
- Place of Performance
- Address: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Space Environment Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO
- Zip Code: 80305-3328
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Zip Code: 80305-3328
- Record
- SN01395041-W 20070907/070905220428 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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