EO-23-600 Doc 4_PWS V3 correlator equipment_EM.pdf

PWS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Very Long Baseline Interferometry Correlator Hardware Refresh

1. PROJECT:

VLBI Correlator System Modernization.

2. BACKGROUND:

The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) operates a software based Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) correlator capability to replace and modernize the existing hardware. The new system will replace aging hardware allowing USNO to better support operations and IA security.

3. SCOPE:

The mission of the USNO is to determine time, both atomic and astronomical, to determine and predict the positions of celestial objects and Earth Orientation and to provide this data to the Department of Defense (DoD). Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations are used by the USNO to determine and predict the variable orientation of the Earth in three-dimensional space as well as to maintain the positions of the extragalactic radio sources which form the basis for the quasi-inertial celestial reference frame, within which the Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) are determined.

The objectives of this procurement are, 1) implement a state-of-the-art software based VLBI capability to take advantage of advances in the electronic transmission of observational VLBI data over the Internet to enable near real-time operations. 2) Develop a software based VLBI correlator capability to take advantage of advances in high-performance computing.

4. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:

Applicable documents include the USNO Mission Statement and the USNO Program Book. Both documents are available from the USNO PAO (202-762-1438).

5. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Correlator The contractor shall deliver to USNO a fully operational replacement for the existing VLBI correlator hardware meeting the specifications of this PWS. The new correlator hardware shall consist of the compute nodes, data storage, interconnecting switches and software integration necessary to replace the current USNO correlator system.

The new correlator system shall be capable of processing in real time recorded data streams recorded at up to 16.384 Gbps from up to sixteen (16) VLBI stations simultaneously. Data shall be transferred to the correlator via high speed interconnects (100 Gbps) from disk based storage and existing USNO VLBI data acquisition units. The correlator system shall contain at least twenty (20) processing nodes that will be connected through high-speed (25 Gbps) interconnects. The operating system and correlator software shall consist of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux running the DiFX software package. A system for distributing OS and DiFX package upgrades to all nodes within the cluster shall be put in place. The system architecture shall be fully expandable in order to meet future USNO mission requirements. The contractor shall provide all necessary documentation regarding the correlator system hardware and software. The contractor shall also provide the system software integration necessary to make the correlator capable of processing current VLBI data loads.

DiFX V3 Prototype

Third Generation Software Correlator Test Environment. The contractor shall deliver to USNO a fully operational prototype for the planned VLBI correlator hardware meeting the specifications of this PWS. The prototype is for the replacement of existing hardware with new hardware and expansion of the existing capability in response to planned changes in the observing programs. The new correlator hardware shall consist of the compute nodes, data storage, interconnecting switches and software integration necessary to test the applicability of an expanded version to replace the current USNO correlator system and to serve as a test bed for the anticipated hardware refresh. The prototype system shall be capable of processing data streams recorded at up to 16.384Gbps each from up to sixteen (16) VLBI stations simultaneously and store at least approximately 1.5 PB of these data at a time. Data shall be transferred to the correlator via high speed interconnects (at least 100 Gbps) from disk based storage and existing USNO VLBI data acquisition units. The test correlator system shall contain at least two (2) processing hosts, each with at least 128 CPU cores using the Rome or Milan architecture. These servers will be connected through high-speed interconnects of at least 25 Gbps each. The operating system and correlator software shall consist of either Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Ubuntu LTS Enterprise Linux, and shall run the DiFX software package. A system for distributing OS and DiFX package upgrades to all nodes within the cluster shall be put in place. The complete system shall be designed and optimized to maximize processing throughput while minimizing power consumption. The system architecture shall be fully expandable in order to meet future USNO mission requirements. The system and its components shall comply with US Navy security policies. The contractor shall provide all necessary documentation regarding the correlator test system hardware and software. The contractor shall also provide the system software integration necessary to make the test correlator capable of processing current VLBI data loads.

6. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

The contractor shall report to and take direction from the head of the VLBI Operations Division of the USNO Earth Orientation Department. Contractor performance shall be judged on a “best effort” basis as determined by the COR using monthly and final reports submitted by the contractor in accordance with the Performance Statement of Work & Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.

• Quality Standards: Condition, Error rates, Accuracy, Form/Function, Reliability, Maintainability.

• Quantity Standards: Capacity, Output, Volume, Amount.

• Timeliness Standards: Response times, Delivery, Completion times, Milestones.

With regard to schedule, the due dates for deliverables and the actual accomplishment of the schedule will be assessed against original due dates and milestones established for the contract or task order(s).

With regard to deliverables, the deliverables required to be submitted will be assessed against the specifications for the deliverables detailed in the contract for the required content, quality, timeliness, and accuracy.

7. INCENTIVES:

Work to be performed under any resulting order and/or contract for services will provide an incentive for performance based on Government CPAR reporting. There will be no monetary and/or profit incentive applied to any resulting contract and/or order for services as outlined herein.

8. DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

The contractor representative shall provide a monthly report summarizing all efforts during the preceding month. The annual report shall be provided no later than thirty (30) days after the performance period for each contract period.

This report shall provide a detailed description of all work accomplished during the performance period.

9. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION (GFE/GFI):

GFE: IT assets on UNCLASS network necessary to fulfill terms of contract.

GFI: Scientific data at the UNCLASS level necessary to fulfill terms of contract.

10. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Contract work will be performed at NRAO/LBO Socorro, New Mexico and USNO, 3450 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20392.

11. DELIVERY DATE:

Delivery date is 15 months from receipt of award.

12. SECURITY:

All work to be performed under any resulting contract or order for services will be for work at the UNCLASSIFIED level.

13. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP):

Critical to the performance of the required services is the timely, accurate, and thorough completion of all contract requirements. The contractor shall adhere to the performance standards detailed in this PWS. In addition to any schedule, deliverables, and cost aspects of performance discussed herein, pursuant to FAR 42.15, the Government will assess the contractor’s record of conforming to contract requirements and to standards of good workmanship, the contractor’s adherence to contract schedules including the administrative aspects of performance, the contractor’s history of reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction, and the contractor’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer.

The primary methods of surveillance used to monitor performance of this contract will include, but not be limited to, random or planned sampling, periodic or inspection, and validated customer complaints.

Deliverable Frequency Medium/Format* Submit to Kick-off Meeting

Within 10 days of contract award.

Electronically in MS Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

COR

POA&M

Within 15 working days of award

Electronically in MS Word, Excel, or

Briefings, information papers, action memoranda

Monthly or as identified and requested by the COR

Electronically in MS Word, Excel, or

Correlator system and applicable software

Upon close of base period and option I

If performance is within acceptable levels, it will be considered to be satisfactory. If not, overall performance may be considered unsatisfactory.

The COR’s makes an annual report on Contractor Performance (CPARS or other annual report). The contractor’s failure to achieve satisfactory performance under the contract, reflected in the COR’s annual report, may result in termination of the contract and may also result in the loss of future Government contracts.

For each item that does not meet acceptable levels, the Government may issue a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR).

CDRs will be forwarded to the Contracting Officer with a copy sent to the contractor. The contractor must reply in writing within 5 days of receipt identifying how future occurrences of the problem will be prevented. Based upon the contractor’s past performance and plan to solve the problem, the Contracting Officer will determine if any further action will be taken.

In accordance with the inspection of services provisions of the contract, the contractor will be incentivized to provide quality products in a timely manner since the Government can require the contractor, at no additional cost to the Government, to replace or correct work that fails to meet contract requirements.

14. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND QUALITY MEASUREMENT

14.1. The Government will evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract according to the following plan:

1) The COR shall expeditiously review copies of the contractor's invoices or vouchers, certificate of performance and all other supporting documentation to determine the reasonableness of the billing. In making this determination, the COR must take into consideration all documentary information available and any information developed from personal observations.

2) Monthly and/or Bi-monthly Meetings – Meetings between the contractor and Government representatives will take place via telephone, email, and/or face-to-face. During these meetings, current progress and issues concerning the tasks will be discussed.

Objectives Measures Standards

POA&M

Milestones & deliverables conform to standard acceptable to Government (USNO) monthly status reports

Delivered within 15 days of award

Monthly-on the business day designated by the COR

Contract Deliverables

Contract deliverables furnished as prescribed in the PWS; Inspection by the COR

Delivered within the contract-established due dates; 100% accuracy and functionality

Overall Contract Performance

Overall contract performance of sufficient quality to earn a Satisfactory (or higher) rating in the COR’s annual report on Contractor Performance; Assessment by the

COR

Annual; all performance elements rated Satisfactory (or higher)

Invoicing Monthly invoices per contract procedures are timely and accurate; Review & acceptance by the COR or Government designated official

100% accuracy and timeliness

15. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall report contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the [NAMED COMPONENT] via a secure data collection site. Contracted services excluded from reporting are based on Product Service Codes (PSCs). The excluded PSCs are: (1) W, Lease/Rental of Equipment; (2) X, Lease/Rental of Facilities; (3) Y, Construction of Structures and Facilities; (4) D, Automatic Data Processing and Telecommunications, IT and Telecom- Telecommunications Transmission (D304) and Internet (D322) ONLY; (5) S, Utilities ONLY; (6) V, Freight and Shipping ONLY.

The contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address https://doncmra.nmci.navy.mil.

Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk, linked at https://doncmra.nmci.navy.mil

16. GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT

16.1. Primary Technical POC: David Hall

Telephone: (202) 762-1567 Email: david.m.hall2.civ@us.navy.mil

Financial POC: Matthew Seren Telephone: (202) 762-1836 Email: matthew.d.seren.civ@us.navy.mil

Mr. Hall, listed above, will serve as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) under the contract. The COR will act as the Contracting Officer’s representative for technical matters, providing technical direction and discussion as necessary with respect to the specification or PWS, and monitoring the progress and quality of contractor performance. The COR is not an Administrative Contracting Officer and does not have authority to take any action, either directly or indirectly, that would change the pricing, quantity, quality, place of performance, delivery schedule, or any other terms and conditions of the contract, or to direct the accomplishment of effort which goes beyond the scope of the PWS in the contract.

It is emphasized that only a Contracting Officer has the authority to modify the terms of the contract; therefore, in no event will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of the basic contract between the contractor and any other person be effective or binding on the Government. When/if, in the opinion of the contractor, an effort outside the existing scope of the contract is requested, the contractor shall promptly notify the PCO in writing. No action shall be taken by the contractor under such direction unless the Procuring Contracting Officer or ACO has issued a contractual change or otherwise resolved the issue.

17. ATTACHMENTS

The contractor’s proposal for this effort is incorporated into the contract by reference as Attachment I.