G15PS00281_Special_Notice.pdf

Special Notice G15PS00281

Scientific and Engineering Analysis

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Reston, VA has a requirement for scientific and engineering analysis to support the USGS responsibility for satellite spacecraft and ground systems. The USGS must be provided with timely, objective and non-advocacy input to plan, execute and evaluate satellite systems procurements and support operational satellites and potential satellite anomalies with skill staff in the satellite field. A unique requirement of this effort is that it must be conducted in an independent fashion with freedom from any bias that would result in predilection towards any particular hardware and/or software design or approach.

A demonstrated history of freedom from organizational conflict of interest is an essential requirement. The highly technical nature of the support required by the USGS presents the need for access to a diversity of technical hardware, software, and operation skills for satellite operations, and to extensive databases and information sources associated with satellite operations. The ability to obtain, integrate, and protect proprietary information from domestic, foreign, and international contractors without fear of disclosure is a requirement for anyone providing this support, due to the level of proprietary information involved. The capability and proven track record for successfully integrating and protecting proprietary information on multi-contractor programs is required. Also required is extensive, detailed, previous experience in operational and follow-on satellite-based land remote sensing to provide the depth of expertise needed for mission support.

Based on information available at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii), the Government considers the items specified as a sole source from The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, which has demonstrated such non-advocacy independence in forty years with USGS, NASA, and the Air Force. Of the thirty-seven designated Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) organizations currently reported as required by FAR 25-017-6, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has established the

Aerospace Corporation as the FFRDC for national-security space requirements supporting long-term planning and the immediate needs of our nation’s military and reconnaissance space programs. The Aerospace FFRDC provides scientific and engineering support for launch, space and related ground systems. It also provides the specialized facilities and continuity of effort required for programs that often take decades to complete. This end-to-end involvement reduces development risks and costs, and allows for a high probability of mission success. The

Department of Defense has identified five core competencies for the Aerospace FFRDC: launch certification, system-of-systems engineering, systems development and acquisition, process implementation, and technology application. The USAF, as sponsoring agency, permits a

Federal agency to contract directly with the FFRDC in accordance with the FAR. The

Aerospace Corporation’s involvement is designed to reduce risks and cost by providing government officials with advice that can help ensure the highest probability of mission success.

The government proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm on that basis.

However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms who feel that they can furnish the required item or its functional equivalent (base upon criteria specified herein) are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement within fifteen days after the date of publication of this synopsis to the Contracting Officer, Victoria

Floyd via e-mail at vfloyd@usgs.gov. Phone requests will not be accepted. An affirmative response would include literature, brochures and such other materials which correspond to the required items stated herein. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if mailto:vfloyd@usgs.gov

Special Notice G15PS00281

Scientific and Engineering Analysis competitive opportunities exist. No solicitation document exists, therefore requests for such documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to this request without further consideration. This notice may represent the Governments’ only official notice of this procurement.