20240715 RFI-NEON-SMBA-2024 - QA 3 - 14.pdf

Request for Information

Near Earth Orbit Network Program’s Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications Instrument

Contractor Questions and Answers

Reference: RFI-NEON-SMBA-2024

The Questions and Answers below are superseded by all documents in the official Request for Proposal.

If there are any contradictions between the Questions and Answers below and any document invoked in the Request for Proposal, the Request for Proposal shall prevail.

3. Are foreign subcontractors permissible?

Yes, as long as the prime contractor complies with all relevant United States laws and regulations such as (but not limited to) the Buy American Act.

4. How should Performance Requirements Document (PRD) Table 4.1-1 be read?

Industry Partners may propose different center frequencies; however, they must keep continuity with the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS). This table is in place to show notional center frequencies that keep continuity with ATMS given Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA) hyperspectral requirements. Additional frequencies are also welcome.

5. Is PRD requirement SMBA-21 meant to be a co-registration requirement?

SMBA-21 says, “All main beam axes of the instrument shall be coincidental (i.e., they will be pointing in the same direction, subject to the pointing accuracy requirements) at the same time for any given beam position.” The intention of this requirement is to have the various beams – along the full line of sight through the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface – co-aligned (i.e., pointing in the same direction at the same time) to construct a full profile of the atmosphere in each location, but not necessarily to the level of full spatial and temporal co-registration.

6. What is the deadline for additional Request for Information responses and one on one conversations with the Near-Earth Orbit Network (NEON) team?

While initial Request for Information responses were due on May 2, 2024, the NASA team will continue to welcome feedback and discussion until the Request for Proposal is released (currently planned for Q3 FY25). However, for the best chance for feedback to be incorporated, the NASA team suggests providing additional feedback as soon as possible.

7. Where did the current requirements come from? How much flexibility is there in the current set of requirements?

The current set of requirements (including science performance, Radio Frequency Interference detection, hyperspectral capability, thermal, and power requirements) are derived from Numerical Weather Prediction user and other user needs as well as lessons learned from the SMBA Formulation Studies. The NASA team is still refining these requirements and welcomes additional feedback/suggestions.

8. Why is a full form, fit, and function Engineering Test Unit (ETU) included?

The ETU will support observatory development, integration, and testing at the various NEON Series- 1/Series-2 spacecraft providers. Since the SMBA instruments will be flying on multiple spacecraft providers’ systems, the ETU will serve both as a high-fidelity interface simulator (during the development phase(s)) and as a qualification unit (during the testing phase(s)) of the various spacecraft provider’s buses/ground systems. In addition, a full form, fit, and function Engineering Test Unit of the SMBA instrument will allow for the instrument provider to test the instrument manufacturing process, and can serve as an instrument qualification unit. In short, an ETU will buy down programmatic risk.

9. Is the ETU Pre-Build review an additional review?

This is how the Request for Information Statement of Work is written. Industry Partners may suggest combining this review with another review for consideration. However, the final Request for Proposal language shall prevail.

10. How much intercalibration is necessary?

The NASA team is interested in understanding what is possible and how close to an International System of Units (SI) traceable intercalibration standard is reasonably possible. That said, the documents do not require an SI traceable standard with the understanding that this might not be possible.

11. Will there be a spacecraft chosen before the SMBA RFP is released?

No, the current plan is for the spacecraft contracts to be awarded after the SMBA instrument contract.

12. PRD Table 4.0-1 SMBA performance factors do not include the Spacecraft accommodations. How should the SMBA design balance Spacecraft accommodations with the Table 4.0-1 Performance Factors?

Table 4.0-1 is for science performance only. The spacecraft interface accommodation requirements are listed in Section 5 of the PRD. NASA welcomes Industry Partner feedback to confirm that the PRD has the correct accommodations going into SMBA’s Implementation Phase.

13. How will the SMBA to Spacecraft Interface Control Document be developed?

The current plan is that the Successful Offeror that is awarded the SMBA instrument contract will develop a draft Interface Control Document (ICD). The Successful Offeror will then work with the spacecraft teams to update the ICD with spacecraft specific information. This updated ICD will then be added to the SMBA instrument contract.

14. What is the programmatic philosophy?

The SMBA instrument has a NASA Risk Class C posture. This means that the NASA team will use a combination of insight and oversight approaches. There will be less oversight than NASA Risk Class A and B missions, but more oversight than a NASA Risk Class D mission. Additionally, the NASA team is balancing the need for a high performing instrument over the long course of the NEON program with its ability to fly when needed.