SPAWARSYSCEN-Charleston, PO Box 190022, N. Charleston, SC 29419-9022

S -- SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SERVICES SOL N65236-00-R-5061 DUE 123199 POC Robert J. Meddick, Code 1115RJM (843)974-5954, Contracting Officer, Jean C. Duncan E-MAIL: click here to contact the POC via e-mail., meddickr@spawar.navy.mil. SSC Charleston is considering award of a sole source contract to COMSAT General Corporation, Bethesda, MD, to provide satellite communications services between a CONUS Satellite Earth Station and a government furnished earth terminal at the Scott-Amundsen Station, South Pole, Antarctica. These services will provide as-available data communications to support the mission, management, and support activities at the South Pole Station. SSC Charleston requires a satellite with current orbital parameters and sufficient life remaining to provide communications visibility between the South Pole and the CONUS for at least 4-6 hours per day for the next 4 years. The data rates are dependent upon the technical parameters of both earth stations and inter-system interference constraints, but are estimated to be 1 MBS toward the South Pole and 1.544 MBS from the South Pole. To meet these requirements, a satellite with sufficient transponder resources and in a highly inclined orbit (>12.5 degrees) is required. The satellite must be in geosynchronous orbit and located, or capable of being relocated, to a point visible from an Earth Station in the continental United States. Due to cost constraints, double-hop or overseas terrestrial backhaul circuits can not be employed. The MARISAT-F2 satellite will be relocated to an appropriate location over the Atlantic Ocean consistent with operational requirements. SPAWAR intends to use the MARISAT's C/L band "Medium Power Mode" transponder for this purpose. Its highly inclined orbit (>12.77 deg) will enable substantial periods of connectivity for a station at the South Pole. This contract will be awarded to relocate the satellite in 2QFY00 and reserve the satellite for operational use beginning in FY 01. Responses are due fifteen (15) days from the date this notice is published to the header address, POC Robert J. Meddick, Code 1115RJM, (843) 974-5954; fax (843) 974-5930; or e-mail address meddickr@spawar.navy.mil. Posted 12/15/99 (W-SN408963). (0349)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0075 19991217\S-0003.SOL)