Earth Venture Mission-3 Draft Announcement of Opportunity Summary and Request for Comments
On or after the date of this betaSAM notice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing for public comment a draft Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to solicit Principal Investigator (PI)-led science investigations for the Earth Venture Mission-3 (EVM-3) element of the Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program. For this solicitation, NASA will prioritize consideration of proposals that address the Earth Science questions laid out in the 2017 Decadal Survey and will use the classification of the question being addressed as a guide. All investigations proposed in response to this solicitation must support the goals and objectives of the EVM-3 Announcement of Opportunity, must be implemented by PI-led investigation teams, and must be implemented through the provision of complete spaceflight missions. Proposed investigations will be evaluated and selected through a single-step competitive process.
The PI-managed mission cost cap for an EVM-3 investigation is expected to be no greater than $190M in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 dollars, including launch but not including any contributions, and are expected to be managed as Class D missions, see NASA Procedural Requirement NPR 8705.4, “Risk Classification for NASA Payloads," https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_8705_0004_&page_name=main. NASA desires to launch the EVM-3 investigation within 5 years of initiation of formulation. Launch Vehicle costs and procurement will be the responsibility of NASA. Launch vehicle standard services will be provided by a NASA Launch Service Provider; and the cost, pending the type of access to space, will be reduced from the PI-managed cost cap.
Proposals in response to this AO will be due 90 days after its formal release with a target selection date of early calendar year 2021.
Participation will be open to all categories of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S.), including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and other Government agencies. Non-U.S. organizations may participate on a no-exchange-of-funds basis.
NASA recognizes and supports the benefits of having diverse and inclusive scientific, engineering, and technology communities and fully expects that such values will be reflected in the composition of all proposal teams as well as peer review panels (science, engineering, and technology), science definition teams, and mission and instrument teams.
This is a summary notice only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NASA will take action in this matter. This notice is not a complete or verbatim summary of the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) EVM-3 Draft AO; therefore, it is necessary to download the full draft using the link at the end of this notice or to visit the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES), https://nspires.nasaprs.com, and download the full version of solicitation number NNH20ZDA006J. The EVM-3 AO is based on the Standard PI-led Mission AO Template version 5.0 available at https://soma.larc.nasa.gov/StandardAO/pdf_files/StandardAOTemplate181023f.pdf
Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to the NNH20ZDA006J draft announcement are incurred completely at the submitter's own risk.
The comment period for the Draft EVM-3 AO ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 20, 2020. Comments/questions will be accepted by email only with the subject line to read "DRAFT EVM-3 AO" addressed to: kenneth.w.jucks@nasa.gov. Dr. Jucks is the EVM-3 Lead Scientist. Responses to comments/questions will be posted on the website of the Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) of the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) at https://soma.larc.nasa.gov/ on the EVM-3 Acquisition Pages. Anonymity of persons/institutions who submit comments will be preserved.
Further information will be posted, as it becomes available, on the website of the Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) of NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) at https://essp.larc.nasa.gov/EVM-3/evm-3_library.html.
NNH20ZDA006J National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters
4/10/20, 6:34 AM Request for Information (RFI) on Earth System Predictability Research and Development
This is a Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC's) Fast Track Action Committee for Earth System Predictability (ESP-FTAC) and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take action in this matter.
Summary
The National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC's) Fast Track Action Committee for Earth System Predictability (ESP-FTAC) requests public input on future Earth system predictability research and development (R&D) activities of Federal agencies as well as their partnerships with the external community. Requested information pertains to the practical needs that could be addressed by this Earth system predictability research effort and the socio-economic benefits that could result from it, current gaps and barriers that are holding back progress, and opportunities for key activities that could be most valuable, including transformative “big ideas,” with regard to understanding Earth system predictability.
Context/Background
Knowing the extent to which components of the Earth system are practicably predictable - from individual thunderstorms to long-term global change - is vitally important for physical understanding of the Earth system (as it pertains to atmosphere-biota-hydrosphere components), assessing the value of predictions, guiding Federal investments, developing effective policy, and improving predictive skill. In the Memorandum “Fiscal Year 2021 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities” (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FY-21-RD-Budget-Priorities.pdf), Departments and agencies are directed to prioritize R&D in the area of Earth system predictability as follows:
Focus on identifying R&D to quantify Earth system predictability across multiple phenomena, time, and space scales;
Consider strategic coordination and leveraging of resources across agencies on research and modeling efforts that can accelerate progress in this area;
Emphasize how measures of and limits to predictability, both theoretical and actual, can inform a wide array of stakeholders; and
Explore the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and adaptive observing systems to improve understanding leading to enhanced predictive skill, along with strategies for obtaining substantial improvements in computational model performance and spatial resolution across all scales.
The NSTC established the ESP-FTAC in February 2020 for specific coordination around the Earth system predictability R&D priority. Responses to this RFI will help to inform discussions on future R&D activities that could be most valuable, or even transformative, with regard to understanding Earth system predictability. For these purposes, the following distinction is made here between predictability and prediction:
Predictability: A measure of whether, and to what extent, an event or behavior of a system is practicably predictable (practicably here indicates theory that can be put into practice successfully).
Prediction/projection: Different from predictability, prediction/projection generally refers to an estimate of the future derived in a variety of ways.
This RFI focuses on predictability R&D, as a means of assessing the value of predictions, guiding Federal investments, developing effective policy, and improving predictive skill with regard to Earth system predictability. The latter is defined here as potentially involving processes encompassing the physical-biogeochemical spheres and human interactions across atmosphere-biota-hydrosphere Earth system components and across multiple spatial/temporal scales from individual storms to century-long global change.
With this focus in mind, we ask for feedback on the following questions:
1. Needs and benefits: What are the major needs/requirements for enhanced Earth system predictions/projections (anomalies, extremes and trends), to improve societal resilience and inform decisions, that are being only partially met or are unmet because of limitations in our understanding of Earth system predictability? What would be the socio-economic benefits of more adequately fulfilling these requirements/needs? Which new and/or enhanced Earth system predictions/projections could result from a successful Earth system predictability R&D effort?
Responses should define the primary entities that are currently driving the needs/requirements and how those are likely to change out to 2030; describe which needs/requirements are only partially met or are unmet; and quantify the socio-economic benefits of Earth system predictability R&D, as feasible.
2. Gaps and barriers: What are the top three R&D gaps/barriers that are inhibiting progress in the understanding of Earth system predictability to meet needs/requirements (as highlighted under Question 1) across the following areas: a) observations and process research; b) modeling, technology, and infrastructure; and c) coordination and partnerships?
Responses may focus on top three Earth system R&D priority gaps/barriers cutting across areas a)-c) above, focusing on select ones as appropriate and providing a high level description of the issues.
3. Opportunities and activities: What are the top three R&D opportunities and related activities for making substantial progress in the understanding of Earth system predictability towards the enhancement of Earth system predictions/projections?
Responses should consider which opportunities/activities would be most valuable and may include one transformative “big idea” among the top three R&D opportunities that are highlighted. Highlighted opportunities could involve new and/or enhanced activities that cut across the following areas, as appropriate: a) observations and process research; b) modeling, technology, and infrastructure; and c) coordination and partnerships. For each of the three highlighted opportunities (potentially including one “big idea”, as appropriate), responders should provide: goals, activities, and main expected outcomes; also specify whether it could be addressed in the next 1 to 2 years under current programs or whether it is longer term and needs additional resources.
In framing opportunities, responders may consider the following questions:
What are the key R&D opportunities to quantify Earth system predictability across multiple phenomena, time, and space scales, including human interactions?
Are the present theoretical foundations of predictability adequate, and to what extent do they fail or succeed based upon current capabilities?
What is the predictability of Earth system-human interactions such as changes in atmospheric composition, land-use, and oceans across scales? Are the models adequate for simulating these interactions and representing predictability as in the real world?
What key modeling, technology, and infrastructure investments can accelerate our understanding and application of Earth system predictability across all scales? For example:
What is the optimal way to simulate processes/phenomena underpinning predictability? What is the impact of improved observations and reduced model biases on this simulation? Can artificial intelligence accelerate the understanding of those processes/phenomena that underpin predictability?
What computing infrastructure capabilities and modeling strategies are needed to optimize computational performance and accelerate R&D? i) What type of coordination among Federal agencies would be most beneficial to accelerate progress? ii) What are the opportunities to partner with entities outside the Federal government, nationally and internationally? What are the viable and potentially innovative mechanisms to partner most effectively?
4. Additional Comments. Please provide any other input that you believe is pertinent to this request for information, within the page limit.
Request for Information: Instructions
Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each individual or institution is requested to submit only one response. Submission must be in 12 point or larger font and not exceed 5 pages, with a page number provided on each page. Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the comment. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials.
No business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted in response to this RFI.
In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Federal Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, those submitting responses are solely responsible for all expenses associated with response preparation.
Email response to this RFI to esp@ostp.eop.gov attention the NSTC Executive Director, Chloe Kontos. Email submissions should be machine readable [pdf, word] and not copy-protected. Submissions should include “RFI Response: ESP” in the subject line of the message.
Point of Contact
For any additional information or questions concerning this Request for Information email esp@ostp.eop.gov attention the NSTC Executive Director, Chloe Kontos, and include “RFI Response: ESP” in the subject line.
NNH20ZDA008L National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters
4/13/20, 10:43 AM Science Operations of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Operation of the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NAS5-26555 with the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) for continued operation of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) which provides full science management of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and supports the HST science and flight operations facilities. The requirement is for the contractor to continue to provide the products and services required to execute the science program, maintain and calibrate the onboard instruments, maintain the ground systems, archive and distribute the science data, manage the HST grants program, conduct public outreach, and conduct astronomical research during the remaining years of HST science mission as well as operate and maintain the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). The period of performance for this effort is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026.
NASA/GSFC intends to extend Contract NAS5-26555 with AURA under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. AURA is the only known source that possesses the required experience and expertise in all areas, including, but not limited to astronomy, HST operations, optics, detectors, systems engineering, public affairs, grants administration, and foreign agreements to successfully meet the specific challenging mission requirements. HST is a highly complex and internationally acclaimed spacecraft that provides astronomical observing capabilities that are unique in the world. AURA is the only contractor that possesses a complete knowledge of HST unique requirements in the critical area of planning and scheduling. AURA’s expertise in science operations is required to ensure the safety of the instruments and to process and calibrate the data so that it can be easily and effectively distributed to the astronomical community. AURA has expertly and continuously refined the science operations techniques of the mission during the past 29 years to incorporate changes and has worked with the astronomical community to develop, peer-review, communicate, and coordinate these changes with the telescope’s users. These include complicated workarounds to mitigate the effects of aging in both the instruments and the spacecraft. AURA has made extensive, complex modifications to the planning, scheduling, and command-load-generation systems to support mission-critical life-extension activities. AURA is the only known source that possesses the end-to-end life cycle knowledge and operational skill set for the HST instrument suite.
AURA is the only known source with deep synergies increasingly present between the HST and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) missions established through AURA’s purposeful implementation of the contract requirements for each mission in a manner that reduces risk, increases productivity, and minimize costs for both programs.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 20, 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications 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 compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition 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.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html
Point of Contact
Name: Michele Connerton
Title: Contracting Officer
E-mail: Michele.R.Connerton@nasa.gov
Synopsis-GSFC-HST-Science-Operations National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Center
5/5/20, 12:03 PM