MIT Haystack SOW.pdf

Statement of Work

The Haystack Observatory shall perform the following task:

Engineering Support for the Washington Interagency Very-Long Baseline Interferometry Correlator

I. Executive Summary This technical proposal, submitted for United States National Observatory (USNO) consideration, shall provide engineering support for the interagency very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) correlator at USNO. The proposed work builds on the correlation assistance and support that MIT Haystack Observatory (MIT/HO) has been providing USNO over the years. The proposed continuing support shall cover four general areas:

・ Correlator post-processing software

・ Correlation of special projects

・ Electronic VLBI

・ Data storage and transfer

・ Mark6 support The proposed work focuses on assistance related to the dual-frequency (S/X) VLBI technique (herewith called “legacy VLBI”), thus providing continuity from the past to the present.

Moreover, since the VLBI technique is in full transition from legacy VLBI to broadband VLBI (also known as VLBI Geodetic Observing System, or VGOS), a notable technology transition that MIT/HO engineering leads, we propose to extend support to also include VGOS expertise, thus also providing continuity from the present into the future.

II. Statement of Work

The interagency VLBI correlator at USNO has been a fundamental infrastructure for space geodesy since it began operations in 1986. That (MarkIIIA) hardware correlator was designed and constructed by MIT/HO, who has been providing engineering support to USNO ever since.

Support has covered the various hardware correlator updates and upgrades, such as to MarkIV, as well as the more recent (in the 2010s) transition from hardware to software correlation (SWC), such as to the distributed FX-type correlation (DiFX).

The primary purpose of the correlator at USNO is to support rapid turnaround of geodetic VLBI observations to provide the most timely and accurate values for time-varying Earth orientation parameters (EOP) such as the length of the day and polar motion. These observations are also used to estimate the positions of the extragalactic radio sources that define the celestial reference frame (CRF) and the positions (and velocities) of the radio telescopes that define the terrestrial reference frame (TRF), being the EOP the parameters that link the two frames together.

MIT/HO shall provide assistance and support to USNO for post-correlation programs for both legacy and VGOS data, for post-processing requiring special attention, for electronic VLBI capabilities, and in the general area of VLBI data storage and transfer.

III. Scope of Work MIT/HO shall perform the following tasks:

Task 1: HOPS and difx2mark4 post-correlation support The Haystack Observatory post-processing system (HOPS) and difx2mark4 are a software package and program, respectively, required to convert the output of the USNO software correlator to VLBI observables from which geodetic parameters such as EOP can be estimated.

They may (and do) change because either improvements to the correlator model are made, new capabilities such as adoption of the VGOS broadband system are required, or general corrections and updates must be introduced. These programs were written and are maintained by MIT/HO personnel, principally for geodetic applications. MIT/HO shall provide USNO any changes in those programs. In addition, requests for modification of the programs to satisfy specific USNO requirements shall in general be accommodated.

Task 2: Consultation of special processing Occasionally, situations may arise where unusually complex geodetic experiments, especially as USNO transitions to correlation of VGOS experiments, must be processed, or where difficulties encountered during the VLBI data collection experiments may need special treatment during processing. MIT/HO shall then consult with the processing personnel at USNO and advise them, via remote (e.g., telephone, email, audio/video) communication, on approaches to overcome the complex or difficult situations, and on diagnosing problems at the VLBI stations.

Task 3: Assistance with electronic-VLBI capability MIT/HO shall provide support and consultation for network connections at USNO related to all VLBI activity. In particular, MIT/HO shall troubleshoot electronic VLBI (eVLBI) connections into USNO, troubleshoot eVLBI connections to network stations and assist with improving network connectivity. In support of this activity, MIT/HO may be asked for advice on the procurement of computer parts, such as network interface cards (NIC), power supplies, and servers to maintain or upgrade the eVLBI connections. On rare occasions, it may be necessary for MIT/HO personnel to travel to USNO to perform needed repairs or consultation. Such trips will be kept to a minimum by use of remote communications. Any travel shall be requested and receive prior approval by USNO personnel.

Task 4: Data storage and transfer MIT/HO shall be responsible for maintaining a VLBI data depot, temporarily storing and validating data prior to submittal to the DiFX correlator servers at USNO. The storage will thus act as a buffer for eVLBI transfers from potentially compromised sources. MIT/HO shall be responsible for receiving said data, and for validating the incoming data for proper format and content through scanning for tampering or defects. Once validated, MIT/HO personnel shall make the data available to USNO for eVLBI transfer and correlation. If data is deemed invalid, USNO will still be notified of the comprised data and anomalies discovered.

Task 5: Mark6 support

MIT/HO shall be responsible for the update of the USNO Mark6 operating systems (OS) to RedHat, or an equivalent, to meet security needs. The update of the OS shall require the control application to be updated along with any addition requirements the USNO may request for supporting e-transfers and getting systems on to the correlator for direct processing. Additional support may come in the form of modifications to the system to tighten the security to meet acceptable standard as specified by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks. MIT/HO will also travel to USNO to support the staff’s integration effort and to help address additional security concerns.

Task 6: Program management MIT/HO shall manage all MIT-related contractual activities, communicate with USNO, and ensure sufficient attention to system engineering, documentation, configuration management, and information technology (IT) security.

Appendix: List of Acronyms CRF Celestial Reference Frame DiFX Distributed FX-type correlator EOP Earth Orientation Parameters eVLBI Electronic VLBI FX Fourier-Multiplication HOPS Haystack Observatory Postprocessing System IT Information Technology MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT/HO MIT Haystack Observatory NIC Network Interface Card SGP Space Geodesy Project SOW Statement of Work SWC Software Correlator TRF Terrestrial Reference Frame USNO United States Naval Observatory VGOS VLBI Geodetic Observing System VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry

(e) Mark6 support

Period of Performance

The period of performance will be from May 01 2024 through April 30 2025 with options for travel reimbursement.

REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL COSTS

REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL COSTS (OCT 1998)

(a) Travel

(1) Area of Travel. Performance under this contract may require travel by contractor personnel. If travel, domestic or overseas, is required, the contractor is responsible for making all needed arrangements for his personnel. This includes but is not limited to the following:

Medical Examinations Immunization Passports, visas, etc.

Security Clearances

All contractor personnel required to perform work on any U.S. Navy vessel shall have to obtain boarding authorization from the Commanding Officer of the vessel prior to boarding.

(2) Travel Policy. The Government will reimburse the contractor for allowable travel costs incurred by the contractor in performance of the contract and determined to be in accordance with FAR subpart 31.3, subject to the following provisions:

Travel required for tasks assigned under this contract shall be governed in accordance with rules set forth for temporary duty travel in FAR 31.205-46.

(3) Travel. Travel, subsistence, and associated labor charges for travel time are authorized, whenever a task assignment requires work to be accomplished at a temporary alternate worksite.

Travel performed for personal convenience and daily travel to and from work at contractor’s facility will not be reimbursed.

(4) Per Diem. Per diem for travel on work assigned under this contract will be reimbursed to employees consistent with company policy, but not to exceed the amount authorized in the Department of Defense Joint Travel Regulations.

(5) Shipboard Stays. Whenever work assignments require temporary duty aboard a Government ship, the contractor will be reimbursed at the per diem rates identified in paragraphs C8101.2C or C81181.3B(6) of the DOD Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2.

(6) Air/Rail Travel. In rendering the services, the contractor shall be reimbursed for the actual costs of transportation incurred by its personnel not to exceed the cost of tourist class rail, or plane fare, to the extent that such transportation is necessary for the performance of the services hereunder and is authorized by the Ordering Officer. Such authorization by the Ordering Officer shall be indicated in the order or in some other suitable written form.

NOTE: To the maximum extent practicable without the impairment of the effectiveness of the mission, transportation shall be tourist class. In the event that only first class travel is available, it will be allowed, provided justification therefore is fully documented and warranted.

(7) Private Automobile. The use of privately owned conveyance within the continental United States by the traveler will be reimbursed to the contractor at the mileage rate allowed by

Joint Travel Regulations. Authorization for the use of privately owned conveyance shall be indicated on the order. Distances traveled between points shall be shown in standard highway mileage guides. Any deviations from distance shown in such standard mileage guides shall be explained by the traveler on his expense sheet.

(8) Car Rental. The contractor shall be entitled to reimbursement for car rental, exclusive of mileage charges, as authorized by each order, when the services are required to be performed outside the normal commuting distance from the contractor’s facilities. Car rental for TDY teams will be limited to a rate of one car for every four (4) persons on TDY at one site.

(End of Provision)

CIRCULAR A-21 Revised 05/10/04

TO THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND ESTABLISHMENTS

SUBJECT: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions

1. Purpose. This Circular establishes principles for determining costs applicable to grants, contracts, and other agreements with educational institutions. The principles deal with the subject of cost determination, and make no attempt to identify the circumstances or dictate the extent of agency and institutional participation in the financing of a particular project. The principles are designed to provide that the Federal Government bear its fair share of total costs, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, except where restricted or prohibited by law. Agencies are not expected to place additional restrictions on individual items of cost.

Provision for profit or other increment above cost is outside the scope of this Circular.

2. Supersession. The Circular supersedes Federal Management Circular 73 8, dated December 19, 1973. FMC 73 8 is revised and reissued under its original designation of OMB Circular No. A 21.

3. Applicability.

a. All Federal agencies that sponsor research and development, training, and other work at educational institutions shall apply the provisions of this Circular in determining the costs incurred for such work. The principles shall also be used as a guide in the pricing of fixed price or lump sum agreements.

b. In addition, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers associated with educational institutions shall be required to comply with the Cost Accounting Standards, rules and regulations issued by the Cost Accounting Standards Board, and set forth in 48 CFR part 99; provided that they are subject thereto under defense related contracts.

4. Responsibilities. The successful application of cost accounting principles requires development of mutual understanding between representatives of educational institutions and of the Federal Government as to their scope, implementation, and interpretation.

5. Attachment. The principles and related policy guides are set forth in the Attachment, "Principles for determining costs applicable to grants, contracts, and other agreements with educational institutions."

6. Effective date. The provisions of this Circular shall be effective October 1, 1979, except for subsequent amendments incorporated herein for which the effective dates were specified in these revisions (47 FR 33658, 51 FR 20908, 51 FR 43487, 56 FR 50224, 58 FR 39996, 61 FR 20880, 63 FR 29786, 63 FR 57332, 65 FR 48566 and 69 FR 25970). Institutions as of the start of their first fiscal year beginning after that date shall implement the provisions. Earlier implementation, or a delay in implementation of individual provisions, is permitted by mutual agreement between an institution and the cognizant Federal agency.

7. Inquiries. Further information concerning this Circular may be obtained by contacting the Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503, telephone (202) 395 3993

53. Travel costs.

a. General.

Travel costs are the expenses for transportation, lodging, subsistence, and related items incurred by employees who are in travel status on official business of the institution. Such costs may be charged on an actual cost basis, on a per diem or mileage basis in lieu of actual costs incurred, or on a combination of the two, provided the method used is applied to an entire trip and not to selected days of the trip, and results in charges consistent with those normally allowed in like circumstances in the institution’s non-federally sponsored activities.

b. Lodging and subsistence.

Costs incurred by employees and officers for travel, including costs of lodging, other subsistence, and incidental expenses, shall be considered reasonable and allowable only to the extent such costs do not exceed charges normally allowed by the institution in its regular operations as the result of the institution’s written travel policy. In the absence of an acceptable, written institution policy regarding travel costs, the rates and amounts established under subchapter I of Chapter 57, Title 5, United States Code ("Travel and Subsistence Expenses; Mileage Allowances"), or by the Administrator of General Services, or by the President (or his or her designee) pursuant to any provisions of such subchapter shall apply to travel under sponsored agreements (48 CFR 31.205- 46(a)).