Recovery operation ICE bridge gravimeter

Added: Dec 18, 2009 2:16 pm Modified: Apr 06, 2010 9:35 amTrack Changes Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University (LDEO) will provide NASAwith unique expertise in glaciological gravity data acquisition and interpretations ofglaciological gravity data over dynamic area of the ice sheets. Using the AIRgrav(Airborne Inertially reference Gravimeter) system, operated by Sander GeophysicsLaboratory (SGL), the drape flying that is necessary for the Ice Bridge campaign tosupport collection of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and radar measurements isachieved. This data is essential to understand ocean-ice interactions and the expectedfuture sea level rise from ice sheets. This action will require LDEO to coordinate withSGL, deploy and operate the AIRgrav system for the Operation Ice Bridge Greenland 2010aircraft campaign which will begin in March 2010. The Greenland campaign is a series offlights designed to monitor the dynamic areas of the arctic sea ice and Greenland icesheet during the data gap between ICESat-1 and ICESat-2, which will not launch until the2014 timeframe. The Cryosphere, including land ice and sea ice are essential areas tomonitor in a warming climate. The Greenland campaign will also measure the gravity fieldin order to estimate the thickness of the water layer beneath the floating ice tonguesthat are critical for the stability of ice sheets. This requirement also includes theprocessing of the gravity data by LDEO with their custom processing algorithms andrelease of data Level 2 (georeferenced gravity measurements) data to the Ice BridgeScience Team three months after the completion of the campaign. The AIRGrav system isthe only gravimeter worldwide that can collect data in draped flight mode, where theaircraft follows the surface terrain providing the highest resolution gravity over shortwavelengths that are critical for the glaciological analysis done by LDEO. LDEO is theonly university providing gravity data at the resolution needed to conduct glaciologicalstudies to determine the thickness of the water layer beneath floating ice tongues thatcannot be achieve with ice-penetrating radar systems. LDEO has already gathered data forOperation Ice Bridge in Antarctica during the Fall 2009 campaign. The AIRGrav system wascapable of imaging a sill beneath Pine Island Glacier that has been previously discoveredby a British AutoSub, yet had never been mapped fully until the use of the AIRGrav systemduring the Antarctica campaign.

Added: Dec 18, 2009 2:16 pm NASA/GSFC proposes to enter into a contract with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatoryof Columbia University (LDEO) on a sole source basis utilizing American Recovery andReinvestment (ARRA) funds to provide NASA with unique expertise in glaciological gravitydata acquisition and interpretations of glaciological gravity data over dynamic area ofthe ice sheets. Using the AIRgrav (Airborne Inertially reference Gravimeter) system,operated by Sander Geophysics Laboratory (SGL), the drape flying that is necessary forthe Ice Bridge campaign to support collection of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) andradar measurements is achieved. This data is essential to understand ocean-iceinteractions and the expected future sea level rise from ice sheets. This action willrequire LDEO to coordinate with SGL, deploy and operate the AIRgrav system for theOperation Ice Bridge Greenland 2010 aircraft campaign which will begin in March 2010. TheGreenland campaign is a series of flights designed to monitor the dynamic areas of thearctic sea ice and Greenland ice sheet during the data gap between ICESat-1 and ICESat-2,which will not launch until the 2014 timeframe. The Cryosphere, including land ice andsea ice are essential areas to monitor in a warming climate. The Greenland campaign willalso measure the gravity field in order to estimate the thickness of the water layerbeneath the floating ice tongues that are critical for the stability of ice sheets. Thisrequirement also includes the processing of the gravity data by LDEO with their customprocessing algorithms and release of data Level 2 (georeferenced gravity measurements)data to the Ice Bridge Science Team three months after the completion of the campaign.NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the items from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of ColumbiaUniversity (LDEO). The AIRGrav system is the only gravimeter worldwide that can collectedata in draped flight mode, where the aircraft follows the surface terrain providing thehighest resolution gravity over short wavelengths that are critical for the glaciologicalanalysis done by LDEO. LDEO is the only university providing gravity data at theresolution needed to conduct glaciological studies to determine the thickness of thewater layer beneath floating ice tongues that cannot be achieve with ice-penetratingradar systems. LDEO has already gathered data for Operation Ice Bridge in Antarcticaduring the Fall 2009 campaign. The AIRGrav system was capable of imaging a sill beneathPine Island Glacier that has been previously discovered by a British AutoSub, yet hadnever been mapped fully until the use of the AIRGrav system during the Antarcticacampaign.The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note26.Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform theeffort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local timeon January 2, 2010. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for thepurpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and opencompetition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretionof the government.Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.