COMBINED_SYNOPSIS.doc

THIS IS A SINGLE SOURCE SYNOPSIS PUBLISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION for commercial items and was prepared in accordance with the information in FAR Subpart 12.6, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures found at FAR Part 13, as supplemented with the additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a written solicitation will not be issued. PAPER COPIES OF THIS SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. This combined synopsis/solicitation SHALL be posted on both FEDBIZOPPS and NECO (http://www.neco.navy.mil/). The RFQ number is N0018918QZ053. The solicitation documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2005-96 and DFARS Publication Notice 20171208. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html. The NAICS code is 519190 and the Small Business Size Standard is $27.5M.

The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (FLCN), Contracting Department, Detachment Philadelphia hereby provides notice of its intent to award a single source, firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract to Federated IT (Address: 1200 G St NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005-6705). The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13.103-1(b), Soliciting from a Single Source. The requirement is being processed on behalf of the United States Naval Observatory.

The contractor is to provide the support required in accordance with the attached PWS. The period of performance will include a (6-month base: 2/1/2018-7/31/2018) + (3-month option: 8/1/2018-10/31/2018). Performance will take place at the United States Naval Observatory 3450 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20850-5420.

The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice.

The CLIN structure is as follows:

CLIN 0001 – Gaia database development support (Base period – 6 months: 2/1/2018-7/31/2018)

CLIN 0002 – ODCs in support of CLIN 0001 – This CLIN is not to exceed $5,000.

CLIN 1001 – Gaia database development support (Option period – 3 months: 8/1/2018-10/31/2018)

CLIN 2002 – ODCs in support of CLIN 0001 – This CLIN is not to exceed $2,500.

The following FAR provision and clauses are applicable to this procurement:

This announcement will close at 4pm EST on 12/29/2017. Contact Adam Hester who can be reached at 215-697-9577 or email adam.hester@navy.mil. This notice is for informational purposes only as only Federated IT is being solicited for this requirement.

******* End of Combined Synopsis/Solicitation ********

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Integrated Astrometric Database Astronomer

BACKGROUND

The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) Astrometry Department is actively developing an integrated DoD Celestial Database (DCDB). This includes the most advanced astrometric and photometric catalogs and surveys to date along with supplementary information required to construct, validate, and verify mission-related DoD catalogs and other astronomical data products. The Gaia catalog and ancillary information will constitute the core of the DCDB. The database, when it becomes fully operational, will increase the reliability of USNO data products and the efficiency of both the primary mission and research operations.

USNO is required to provide dedicated astrometry and photometry of celestial objects to DoD under DoD Instruction 4650.06, “Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Management”. The development of the optical observing facilities described here falls under the purview of this Instruction.

SCOPE

In order to meet DoDI 4650.06 requirements, USNO requires support from a contractor with knowledge and skills related to astronomy, astronomical data analysis, astrometry, photometry, and handling large volumes of data. The primary tasks of the contractor will be to 1) starting from the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) DCDB, develop to Full Operating Capability (FOC) level and deploy to the operational network, the specialized DCDB system, 2) conduct astrometric analysis of DCDB constituents and quality control of operational data, 3) ingest new data sets in the database, and 4) participate in the verification of mission-related catalogs. This contract focuses specifically on moving the DCDB system from IOC to FOC. This work builds on the extensive work done already to get to IOC in order to elevate the DCDB system to FOC.

REQUIREMENTS

USNO requires the following skills and experience:

Experience in the development and use of PostGreSQL database.

1. Experience in astrometric and photometric data analysis.

2. Experience in the development of customized software to process astronomical data from diverse sources; writing technical and scientific documentation; managing large volumes of data; specialized computer applications.

3. Experience developing astronomical algorithms.

4. Knowledge of or experience with celestial mechanics, astrodynamics, orbital characterization.

5. Facility with Python.

6. Experience with astrometric catalog construction techniques.

7. Facility with the IOC Defense Celestial Database system, including all catalogs, tables, and supporting processes and documentation.

8. Demonstrated expertise in the discipline of astrometry, as evinced by one or more refereed papers regarding astrometry, published in major astronomical journals such as Astrophysical Journal, Astronomical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, or Astronomy and Astrophysics.

FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, MEETINGS, AND TRAVEL:

1. These tasks shall be performed onsite at USNO, DC. USNO will assume the cost of all required computer equipment.

2. The candidate will be expected to participate in weekly planning meetings with USNO staff. Meetings related to the project shall take typically occur at USNO’s Washington, DC facility.

3. The candidate may be required to travel to other observatory locations, including both CONUS and OCONUS.

REPORTS TO USNO:

The contractor will be required to provide full documentation of any customized data products or data analysis/processing algorithms produced during the term of the contract. Results data analysis and catalog verification shall be provided to USNO both informally and formally, in report format.

NOTE(S):

Any procedures, software, documentation, or reports generated in the course of the performance of this contract will be the property of the government, and will be retained and managed at USNO. Research papers, publications and conference presentations will be subject to proper security clearance and USNO Editorial Board review.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Period of Performance: 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018.

POINT OF CONTACT:

The technical point of contact is Dr. Valeri Makarov: (202) 762-0012; (valeri.makarov@usno.navy.mil).

The alternate point of contact is Dr. Bryan Dorland: (202) 762-0134;

(bryan.dorland@usno.navy.mil)