CHIME Telescope

West Virginia University (WVU), on behalf of its Board of Governors, is seeking proposals for the construction of a CHIME Outrigger Telescope at the Green Bank Observatory in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The project involves building a single cylindrical reflector measuring 60 meters long and 20 meters wide, specifically designed to operate in the 400-800 MHz frequency band. The primary objective is to support the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) by localizing hundreds of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). This procurement falls under commodity codes for structures and building construction (30000000) and professional engineering services (81100000). The Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on March 24, 2021, with proposals due by April 20, 2021, at 4:00 PM EDT. Potential bidders must submit comprehensive proposal documentation, including technical specifications, purchasing affidavits, safety questionnaires, and communication requirements. The primary contact for this opportunity is Katie McGuire from WVU, who will oversee the proposal review process.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the available documentation, the project appears to be open to professional engineering and construction firms with expertise in telescope infrastructure and radio astronomy research facilities. The proposal requires comprehensive technical capabilities, including the ability to construct a specialized scientific research instrument with precise engineering specifications. No specific incumbent vendors or existing contractors are mentioned in the documentation. The RFP does not provide explicit budget ranges or award values for the telescope construction project. Bidders will likely need to demonstrate significant technical expertise in astronomical research infrastructure, advanced construction techniques, and the ability to work within the specialized requirements of a scientific research environment. The project represents a significant investment in scientific research infrastructure at the Green Bank Observatory, indicating potential substantial funding from academic and research sources.