University of Texas - McDonald Observatory

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement 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).  This procurement supports the installation, operation, and maintenance of the next-generation NSGN stations at the McDonald Geodetic Observatory (MGO), including: one Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Global Observing System (VGOS) station, one Space Geodesy Satellite Laser Ranging (SGSLR) station, several GNSS stations, and a Vector Tie System (VTS).

NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the services from the University of Texas at Austin in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 – only one responsible source.

The University of Texas at Austin currently provides operations and maintenance services to NASA geodetic stations via NASA contract NNG17VI05C.  The University of Texas owns the land on which the stations have operated over the last 25 years.  Therefore, no other source can provide laser ranging at the McDonald Geodetic Observatory to meet the needs of the Space Geodesy program.  These services are a continuation of the scientific and engineering mission operations support for the NASA SLR program.  The services include operations of a satellite laser tracking station, data analysis in support of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS), the International Earth Rotation Services (IERS), and the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), and logistical and technical support for the implementation of new NASA geodetic stations at the McDonald Geodetic Observatory, as appropriate.  A 5-year contract is anticipated.

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Chyrette Copeland  at chyrette.m.copeland@nasa.gov not later than December 6, 2021 (15 days after posting).  Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis.  A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html