Space Weather Next Lagrange 1 (SW Next) Series Coronagraph (Formulation Study)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) plans to issue a Formulation phase Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Coronagraph (COR) Instrument for the Space Weather NEXT Lagrange 1 (NEXT) Mission a follow-on to the current Space Weather Follow On Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) Mission.

The NEXT Mission is a high priority joint undertaking by NASA and the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NEXT Observatory will provide NOAA with the continuity of solar wind data and Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) imagery, which is the National Weather Service's highest priority for space weather observations. The COR instrument will be part of the Space Weather NEXT satellite. The instrument will provide Coronal imagery of the Sun for detection and characterization of the Earth-directed CMEs. 

The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 336414 and 1,250 employees, respectively. The anticipated release date of the DRFP is anticipated to be released in October 2022, with a FRFP release date in late November 2022.  Offers will be due in  January 2023. This notice will serve as the notification for the Draft and Final solicitations. 

It is anticipated that this procurement will be a full and open competition.  The Government anticipates awarding up to 4  firm fixed price contracts; of 8- month duration and a not to exceed amount of $1.2M each for this definition-phase study.  There will also be a  4- month option with a not to exceed amount of $400K each to include bringing this formulation study to a Preliminary Design Review readiness level . The Final Report is due 12 months after contract award.  

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable.  The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at : https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf

If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on www.Sam.gov. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this  website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any).  Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Prospective offerors are encouraged to  notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. 

All contractual and technical questions must be submitted electronically via email to Kelly.R.Lytton@nasa.gov no later than 15 days from posting date.  Telephone questions will not be accepted.