Sole source requirement for SABER

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for the continuation of the science data processing, payload operations and data management for the Sounding of the Atmosphere using the Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument. The SABER instrument is a vital component of the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics Dynamics (TIMED) satellite.

NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract modification to acquire the services from G&A Technical Software, Incorporated (GATS) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) --Only One Responsible Source.   The estimated period of performance of this cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract extension will be for 2-years from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026. 

GATS is the only organization currently qualified to perform the subject requirements, and this distinction arises from several compelling reasons. The selected Co-Investigator and his company, GATS, have had extensive experience in radiative transfer methods and spaceflight instruments.  GATS invented a radiative transfer method which was used to simulate LIMS (Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere) observations in seconds with nearly the accuracy of line-by-line calculations. Furthermore, GATS was instrumental in creating the level 1 and level 2 LIMS processing systems, which subsequently served as the foundation for the CLAES (Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer) processing system on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (URAS). Following LIMS and CLAES, the GATS team extended its expertise to provide the same functions for the HALOE (Halogen Occultation Experiment) instrument.

The success of the LIMS data processing and the EGA and LIMTRAN RTA codes, which were developed and copyrighted by GATS, were the key to the credibility of the SABER proposal and instrumental in the SABER feasibility studies included in the proposal for TIMED. GATS helped establish the SABER design and test requirements and monitored and analyzed the testing. GATS used EGA and LIMTRAN to create an advanced non-LTE model that is used in SABER processing. The EGA speed is what makes possible SABER processing with a full, rigorous non-LTE model. GATS solved and implemented key corrections to the SABER calibration, such as off–axis response using lunar scans. GATS diagnosed and directed a correction for detector memory effects using statistical fitting to derive correct coefficients. GATS developed and maintained the operational SABER processing system consisting of some 50 nodes in a cooled environment. No other contractor has the knowledge, skill, and expertise to fulfill the task required by the SABER instrument.  The TIMED satellite procurement and instrument compliment was initiated by Announcement of Opportunity (AO) 92-OSSA-1 dated April 21, 1993, entitled, “Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) Mission”.    On June 30, 1993, Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., Associate Administrator for Space Science of NASA Headquarters selected Dr. James Russell of NASA/Langley Research Center, which included Dr. Larry L. Gordley, Co-Investigator at G&A Technical Software, Incorporated (GATS), who was named in the selection letter.  This effort requires the detailed understanding of the instrument and all related software.  Since no other organization was involved with these activities on an in-depth level, no other organization currently has the knowledge and experience to perform the requirement.

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 Carlos Natera at carlos.natera@nasa.gov not later than 4:30 pm. EST on October 25, 2023.  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: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf