Deep space optical communications (dsoc) ground terminal project the contract is the sponsoring agreement between the national aeronautics and space administration (NASA) and the california…

The California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was awarded a delivery order contract valued at $38.4 million by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) Ground Terminal Project. Issued on October 1, 2018, with an ultimate completion date of April 30, 2026, this cost-plus-fixed-fee contract represents work performed under JPL's overarching Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsoring agreement with NASA. The contract carries no set-aside designation, reflecting JPL's selection based on technical merit and specialized capabilities. Work will be performed at JPL's Pasadena, California facility.

Under this contract, JPL will develop and deliver ground terminal infrastructure to support deep space optical communications capabilities, which represent advanced technologies for spacecraft-to-Earth communications. JPL's responsibilities align with its primary mission to support NASA's Science Mission Directorate across its four broad scientific areas: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics. The contractor will supply scientific and technical capabilities, develop ground-based systems and instrumentation, and support NASA's program and institutional objectives related to deep space exploration and mission support. This work leverages JPL's expertise in autonomous spacecraft systems, advanced instrumentation design, and ground infrastructure development that underpins NASA's extensive portfolio of robotic space missions.

Deep space optical communications (dsoc) ground terminal project the contract is the sponsoring agreement between the national aeronautics and space administration (NASA) and the california institute of technology (contractor), a private nonprofit educational institution, which establishes the relationship for the operation of the federally funded research and development center (ffrdc) known as the jet propulsion laboratory. The contractor, JPL, is required to perform work that is designated in task orders issued by the NASA management office (NMO) contracting officers. NASA - sponsored work: JPL's primary mission is to support the NASA science mission directorate (SMD) in carrying out the specific objectives identified in the SMD science plan. The four broad scientific areas are: earth science, planetary science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. In performance of this contract, JPL shall: 1) supply a broad base of scientific and technical capabilities relevant to NASA program and project responsibilities and assignments. 2) foster its unique relationship with a top-tier university to facilitate the involvement of scientists, engineers, and students from the university and research communities in NASA mission and in supporting other government agencies. 3) support NASA in enabling program and institutional capabilities. 4) develop spacecraft and instruments that are sent to various destinations with our solar system, including earth orbit, planets, planetary satellites, asteroids, and comets. These missions may be orbiters, landers, or rovers, and typically include cutting-edge technologies required to meet scientific requirements. 5) perform project tasks involving: (i) autonomous deep-space, inner-space and earth-orbiting spacecraft or major subsystems, (II) experiments, instruments, or other devices which may be carried as payload on spacecrafts in missions managed by others, and/or (III) ground-based systems. 6) beyond its primary mission, JPL may perform work for other NASA mission directorates or offices. 7) JPL is also responsible for the operation, research, technology insertion, and management of NASA s deep space network to provide telecommunication and operation services, including data acquisition and data delivery required to meet established agency objectives. 8) JPL is also required to maintain and conduct an education program in close coordination with the NASA headquarters education office, the academic community at large, and in support to NASA strategic objectives to improve student retention in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem) disciplines. Work for non-NASA sponsors: JPL may perform work for non-NASA sponsors. This work will be designated in task orders issued by NMO contracting officers based on task plans initiated by the contractor.