UT_SOW_211013 - Posting PDF.pdf

Attachment A

Space Geodesy Project

MCDONALD SPACE GEODESY SERVICES AND DATA ANALYSIS

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, CENTER FOR SPACE RESEARCH

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY

AUSTIN AND FORT DAVIS, TEXAS

STATEMENT OF WORK

October 2021

1. GENERAL

This contract is for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of NASA geodetic stations at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas as part of the NASA Space Geodesy Network (NSGN). It also includes support for quality control of Satellite Laser Ranging data.

One of the main objectives of the NASA Space Geodesy Project (SGP) is to produce the necessary observations for realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) that has an accuracy of 1 mm (decadal scale) with stability of 0.1 mm/year (annual scale). The NSGN will comprise integrated, multi-technique next generation space geodetic observing systems, as the core NASA contribution to a global network designed to produce the higher quality data required to maintain the ITRF and provide information essential for fully realizing the measurement potential of the current and coming generation of Earth Observing spacecraft. It is anticipated that to achieve the desired level of accuracy and stability the geodetic sites will co-locate and use in unison several key techniques of observation, including Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS).

2. Data Processing And Quality Control The contractor shall provide for data analysis, data assurance and quality control of its data products and in support of the ILRS, Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), and the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS), as appropriate. The contractor shall provide software consulting and data comparison support for ILRS Operations and Analysis centers. These activities shall also include monthly assessment of network SLR data, updated geocenter time series estimates; evaluation of new and returning SLR stations as part of normal acceptance testing;

resolution of specific station coordinate problems; re-examination of SLR estimates of the Earth’s gravitational coefficient (GM) and the impact on scale within the terrestrial reference frame (ITRF); precision orbit determination and verification of selected satellites as requested; and participation in ILRS, GGOS, and IERS committee and study group meetings.

3. NSGN STATION IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATIONS

The contractor shall support the installation, operation, and maintenance of the next-generation NSGN stations at the McDonald Geodetic Observatory (MGO), including:

• One VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) station,

• One Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) station,

• Several GNSS stations,

• A Vector Tie System (VTS).

Tasks for this activity include:

1. The receipt and checkout of NASA equipment at MGO.

2. Supporting the installation of NASA equipment at MGO.

3. Supporting the testing and commissioning of the new NASA geodetic stations.

4. Establishing and implementing a preventative maintenance system for the NASA stations at MGO to include documentation of how maintenance is performed, including local maintenance procedures, schedules and maintenance performance metrics.

5. Coordinating and working with the NASA sustaining engineering team on performing any necessary repairs to the NASA stations, including the identification of repairs beyond the capability of the contractor personnel.

6. Providing vendor support for unique problems and maintenance services for the NASA systems at MGO. Such vendor support is subject to prior approval by NASA.

7. Supporting the installation, testing, and documenting of all approved engineering changes (EC) to the NASA MGO stations.

8. Quality analysis and delivery of the data from the NASA instruments and stations as directed by NASA.

9. Maintaining the communication link to NASA for data transfer through the internet. Any costs associated with this are subject to prior approval by NASA.

10. Establishing a rolling action item list (RAIL) that outlines the actions being taken to close problems. The RAIL should be reviewed weekly with NASA.

11. Performing local operations of the NASA geodetic stations as directed by NASA, including conducting VLBI observations as scheduled by NASA and the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS).

12. Supporting technical site investigations at MGO such as the monitoring of radio interference.

13. Providing logistics services (such as the receiving and shipping of NASA equipment to and from MGO) in support of NASA related activities at MGO.

14. Providing research, procurement, and inventory control of spare parts and supplies retained for use in support of the NASA MGO stations operations and maintenance requirements.

Inventory control shall comply with the requirements of the most current edition of NPR 4100.1, NASA Materials Inventory Management Manual for Program Stock. Storage, transportation and handling of Electro-Static Discharge sensitive items shall comply with the most current edition of NASA Document NPR 6000.1, Requirements for Packaging, Handling, and Transportation Equipment and Associated Components. The major requirements of logistics services shall include: Requisitioning; Shipping; Research and Procurement of Spare and Replacement Parts; Inventory Control; Property Management.

15. Acquire and maintain specialized equipment and vehicles necessary for servicing and operating the NASA stations subject to prior NASA approval.

16. Supporting the IT security and systems administration of the NASA equipment at MGO, coordinate with NASA IT security and systems administration resources for hardware and software (system administration) support, supporting the generation of documentation necessary to meet the NASA IT security requirements, supporting the maintenance of the NASA IT systems, and implementing, enforcing and monitoring IT security policy and procedures in accordance with NASA policies and procedures.

17. Establishing and implementing a configuration management (CM) system for the hardware, software and operational procedures at MGO consistent with SGP-MGMT- PROC-002. This includes maintaining and updating documentation of hardware, software, and operations and maintenance procedures to reflect the history of approved engineering changes to the station configuration.

18. Providing all routine administration of the MGO for safe operations, including providing maintenance of station security and access, station utilities maintenance (i.e., electric, HVAC, water), coordinating with co-located experiments, and coordinating with local site owners and regulators.

19. Completing training on operation and maintenance of NASA equipment at MGO. Training may take place at MGO, NASA GSFC, or other locations;

20. Participating in regular technical and status meetings as requested by NASA.