High Rate Sun Sensor (HFSS) for Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement with the University of Colorado (CU Boulder) Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) for the purchase of the High-rate Fine Sun Sensor (HFSS) to be used on the NASA GSFC Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX).

The LASP HFSS is a COTS sun sensor that provides calculated solar angles at up to 200 Hz for use in closed-loop attitude control systems. The HFSS is plug-and-play with standard data and power interfaces. The HFSS comes pre-calibrated and produces calculated solar angles for direct use in precision attitude control or for attitude knowledge. It is highly configurable by command with adjustable packet rates, digital filtering, alignment offsets, APID selection, and many other parameters. These sensors evolved into the Fine Sun Sensor (FSS) that was built and tested for NASA flight programs Glory, TSIS, GOES-R-EXIS, and TCTE. The HFSS is providing solar pointing and stabilization for the TSIS 2-axis gimbal on the International Space Station (ISS)

NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to CU Boulder. The estimated period of performance of this cost-no-fee (CNF) contract extension will be for twelve months, from 1 July 2020 through 30 June 2021.

CU Boulder is the only organization currently qualified to perform the subject requirement for the following reasons: 1) CU Boulder is the only vendor with specific heritage for this component that operates on the ISS; 2) The HFSS being procured is a build-to-print copy of HFSS for NASA’s Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS), and is required for form, fit, and function for CODEX; 3) No other COTS equivalent is flight proven for use on the ISS; and 4) Development/qualifications of a new device would significantly delay the project and therefore not meet the required Launch Readiness Date.

Statutory authority for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 304(c)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations that believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedule supported by this work should fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on 5 June 2020. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.

An ombudsman has been appointed -- The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at https://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html