SATPC0036287 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE

OR BRAND NAME

PR4200879425

PICK ONE

Sole Source:

☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Tartu Observatory only for laboratory calibration and radiometric characterization services for field radiometers requiring these services to comply with satellite validation protocols. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance is September 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Manufacture Name for Enter Supply or Service to be procured. The total estimated cost of this effort is Enter Dollar amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date.

This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):

1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.

Tartu Observatory of the University, a longstanding institution for the calibration and characterization of field radiometers, was integral to the development of recent Protocols for Satellite Ocean Colour Data Validation: In Situ Radiometry published by the International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group (http://dx.doi.org/10.25607/OBP-691) co-developed with NASA and others. The laboratory has been utilized extensively by European space agencies and academic institutions in recent years for providing consistently accurate, well documented radiometric calibrations in addition to a full suite of radiometric characterizations of field radiometers with accompanying uncertainties that our market research has shown we are unable to obtain from any known commercial facitilities to date. Performing this work at Tartu Observatory will allow NASA to intercompare calibration methodologies and results between those historically used by U.S. and European space agencies.

2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.

There is only one responsible source at this time. Other vendors were considered but currently lack the capabilities to perform these tasks.

This procurement is mission critical to validate data products derived from the NASA Plankton, Atmosphere, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite mission, which launched in February 2024.

Without proper radiometric calibration and characterization of field radiometers, the PACE project at GSFC CANNOT validate the Level-1 required PACE water-leaving radiance (light intensity by color) data products. If the satellite data products cannot be validated/verified, then the PACE mission will have failed in demonstrating compliance with its Level 1 requirements to NASA.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: