NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code 210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- OPERATION OF THE FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) KNOWN AS THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY SOL NAS7-98-46 POC Katherine M. Wolf, Contracting Officer, Phone (818) 354-4932, Fax (818) 354-6051, Email kwolf@nmo.jpl.nasa.gov -- Rita Svarcas, Procurement Officer, Phone (818) 354-5359, Fax (818) 393-2607, Email rsvarcas@nmo.jpl.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://procurement.nasa.gov/EPS/HQ/date.html#NAS7-98-46. E-MAIL: Katherine M. Wolf, kwolf@nmo.jpl.nasa.gov. The NASA Management Office plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the operation and management of the Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) known as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (a federal facility). The contractor shall perform research and development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory -- the NASA FFRDC for solar system exploration. The contractor shall perform research, technology development, facilities maintenance and project monitoring relating to a variety of space-related programmatic areas for NASA and will provide similar support to other non-NASA sponsors on a reimbursable basis. Research responsibilities at JPL will be in support of NASA's space science applications, space exploration, space transportation, astrophysics, earth sciences, aeronautics and such other science programs as may be established. In addition, the contractor will be responsible for the operation, development, and research and technology of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) and other DSN-related facilities and systems utilized in the support of NASA missions. The NASA Management Office at JPL intends to award a contract to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Caltech is currently operating the FFRDC and performing research and technology on on-going NASA programs. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3): industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. Caltech has managed the FFRDC on behalf of NASA since 1958. Caltech is considered uniquely qualified and the only source with the experience and expertise to manage the FFRDC and perform the on-going research and development projects at JPL. The period of performance will be October 1998 -- September 2003. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. RFP will be released on or about 30 days after publication of this synopsis in the CBD. Firm date for receipt of proposals will be stated in the RFP. Interested firms desiring consideration have 15 days from publication in the Commerce Business Daily (CBD) to submit 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. Responses received after 15 days without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract, on a full and open competitive 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 a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed, See Internet Note "B". See Note 22. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. (0365)

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