SOW.docx

Statement of Work

1. Background. The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) serves the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies of the Federal Government by determining precise positions of the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets and stars, precise time, and by providing accurate astronomical information for use in navigation, military operations planning, scientific research, and other activities.

The Astronomical Applications Department (N3AA) of USNO provides authoritative astronomical and navigational information via printed publications (i.e., The Nautical Almanac, The Air Almanac, The Astronomical Almanac, and Astronomical Phenomena), software products, Web-based data services, algorithms, and consultation to meet DoD and other Government operational requirements and civilian needs.

USNO is seeking a consultant (hereafter “the Contractor”) with specialized knowledge, experience, and skills to consult on scientific, technical, and management issues for the N3AA department, and to assist with management tasks within the purview of the USNO Science Director (N0S).

2. Tasks.

a. The contractor shall assist with management tasks in the purview of the Science Director.

i. The Contractor shall assemble input to, produce, and review the initial draft of the annual USNO Program Book.

ii. The contractor shall draft new or revised USNO Instructions, as assigned.

iii. The Contractor shall review and consult on scientific input to the Program Objective Memorandum (POM), as assigned.

iv. The Contractor shall contribute information to data calls from higher authority, as assigned.

Deliverables:

· The draft USNO Program Book, delivered annually on or around 1 Oct.

· Draft USNO Instructions, as assigned.

· Consultation and scientific or management reports, as assigned.

· Monthly report of activities.

b. The contractor shall assist with scientific and management tasks in the N3AA Department.

i. The contractor shall provide authoritative technical support for the department’s software products and services, as assigned.

ii. The Contractor shall participate in review and testing of the developmental version of STELLA 3.0.

iii. The Contractor shall evaluate existing astronomical and navigational algorithms, develop improvements, and implement them in prototype versions of the STELLA, MICA, NOVAS, and SLAC products, as assigned.

iv. The Contractor shall assist the N3AA Department management in writing new position descriptions, and reviewing and updating existing ones, as assigned.

v. The Contractor shall serve as a consultant to the N3AA staff on management and technical matters.

Deliverables:

· Creation of prototype maintenance releases of NOVAS (will be version 3.2).

· Documentation of changes made to NOVAS 3.1.

· Evaluation and improvement of the STELLA rise/set/transit/twilight algorithm, resulting in prototype code.

· Draft position descriptions as assigned.

· Test status and reports as input to the N3AA department’s TestTrack database.

· Consultation and scientific reports as assigned.

· Monthly report of activities.

3. Facilities, Equipment, and Travel.

a. Most work necessary for the completion of these tasks can be performed at the Contractor’s off-site office. Contractor must supply his own connection to the internet, telephone, and other standard office equipment/furniture.

b. USNO shall supply a Government purchased and owned computer to be used for work on this contract. USNO shall provide access to official email and to its virtual private network (VPN).

c. The Contractor may be required to travel to USNO in Washington, DC, for computer maintenance or special meetings.

4. Contractor Qualifications.

a. The Contractor must possess in-depth knowledge of the USNO mission (i.e., precise time and time dissemination, astrometry, Earth orientation, navigation, and astronomical applications) and underlying physical principles.

b. The Contractor must possess experience and in-depth knowledge of local (USNO) and Federal Government regulations, policies, and practices.

c. The Contractor must have an in-depth knowledge of the N3AA astronomical and navigational products, especially STELLA, SLAC, and NOVAS, and other department almanac products.

d. The Contractor must possess strong computer skills. In-depth knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and other standard productivity software is essential. The ability to program a computer in a high-level language (i.e., Fortran, C, C++), and generate and interpret scientific results from his/her programs is essential.

e. The Contractor must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.

5. Period of Performance.

One base contract plus four one-year contract option periods are proposed, as follows:

The exact begin/end dates will depend upon when the contract is initially awarded.

6. Performance Evaluation.

Performance of the contractor (including any recommendations to exercise contract options), will be evaluated by the government’s technical point of contact based on the accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and relevance to mission of the deliverables listed above.

7. Point of Contact Technical point of contact at USNO for this project is Dr. Nancy Oliversen; 202-762-1447; nancy.oliversen@navy.mil. Alternate technical point of contact at USNO is Dr. Michael Efroimsky: 202-762-1085 (michael.efroimsky@navy.mil).