JPL Long-Term Mission Testbed Facility (L-MTF) Request for Information

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is seeking responses to a call to establish a Long-Term Mission Testbed Facility (L-MTF) for the purposes of hosting, maintaining and operating simulation equipment for spacecraft in flight.

BACKGROUND: JPL is responsible for the operations of multiple spacecraft past launch for durations of typically 3-5 years or more. As part of the continued operations of the spacecraft, there are sets of electronic and software simulators that allow mission operators to safely demonstrate and interrogate functions of the in-flight spacecraft for the purposes of capability verification, activity validation and fault recovery. Simulators, generally known as testbeds, for any particular mission may consist of multiple sets of both rack-mounted and specialty equipment, which may include custom and commercial power supplies, control computers, switching banks and other stimulus devices, monitoring devices, and full-scale simulated spacecraft components.
The L-MTF task includes the following prime functions:
1. FACILITY SPACE: Provision of facility space to house the testbed(s) equipment that meets requirements for security, cleanliness, electrostatic discharge protection, raised-floor surfaces, temperature and Humidity control and power supply integrity. Facility space must also include desks and chairs for operations consoles as well as transient workspace. Estimated facility space minimum 2,000 ft2.
2. COMMISSIONING OF TESTBEDS: Support for rehousing of JPL-supplied testbeds for current in-flight missions and for future missions (upon mutual agreement). Will include cataloging and updating of equipment and documentation, procurement and/or fabrication of cables for rack/room layout as required, and set-up and initial check-out of equipment in facility.
3. OPERATIONAL SUPPORT: Provision of operational support for mission use of testbeds, which includes procedures and personnel to support start up and shut down of testbeds, configuration of testbed into known spacecraft modes/phases, and maintenance of secure, remote access for command and telemetry. Mission activities may often be pre-scheduled during normal office hours, but must be supported as needed on a 24/7 basis.
4. MAINTENANCE AND CONFIGURATION CONTROL: General maintenance and configuration control of testbed equipment. Maintenance may include performing required calibrations, software and firmware updates, replacement of commercial equipment (power supplies, etc.) as necessary, with JPL support for custom equipment and software. Configuration control would include keeping full sets of up-to-date hardware drawings, software configuration records, cabling diagrams, and maintenance records, including logs of faults to share with the JPL fault tracking system.
5. De-commissioning of Testbeds: De-commissioning of testbeds after mission completion, including cataloging, and packaging equipment and working with JPL for disposition of individual elements.
The purpose of this request is to determine the interest of potential proposers in competing for the establishment of the JPL L-MTF, which would likely initially host 3-4 mission testbeds. Subcontracts with JPL for this effort are funded by NASA under a NASA prime contract with Caltech. Due to anticipated access needs for the specialty equipment operations, the selected subcontractor will be required to provide a local facility to house the L-MTF.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: JPL is anticipating that the following mandatory qualifications will be incorporated, in order for a prospective source to be considered qualified, and thereby, eligible for award: Meet the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Size Standard Code 541715; (1) Have a minimum business base of fifty (50) full-time employees employed over the past twelve (12) months in labor categories of similar nature to those required by JPL in the Specimen Contract; (2) Financial qualification evidence of having financial resources capable of making a payroll of fifty (50) employees (of a similar nature to those being proposed for this effort) for six (6) months; (3) Possess a robust timekeeping/billing system capable of electronic invoicing; and (4) Key Personnel Operations Manager must have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in Engineering or Physics with at least ten (10) years experience. Requires a minimum of five (5) years management experience and a background in supporting NASA programs.

RESPONSE DEADLINE: Please submit your expression of interest and any applicable information by 29MAY2019 to Mary Helen Ruiz, maryhelen.ruiz@jpl.nasa.gov or (818) 354-7532.

DISCLAIMER: Prospective subcontractors are advised that any additional information you provide shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data. It is emphasized the requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in furnishing this information.

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