SCIENCE OPERATIONS OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AND OPERATION OF THE MIKULSKI ARCHIVE FOR SPACE TELESCOPES AT THE SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE Synopsis - Mar 27, 2015 General Information Solicitation Number: NNG15543474 Posted Date: Mar 27, 2015 FedBizOpps Posted Date: Mar 27, 2015 Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No Original Response Date: Apr 10, 2015 Current Response Date: Apr 13, 2015 Classification Code: A -- Research and Development NAICS Code: 541712 Contracting Office Address NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 210.S, Greenbelt, MD 20771 Description NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the continuation of Contract NAS5-26555 with the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) for continued operation of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) which provides full science management of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and supports the HST science and flight operations facility. The requirement is for the contractor to continue to provide the products and services required to execute the science program, maintain and calibrate the onboard instruments, maintain the ground systems, archive and distribute the science data, perform follow-on mission studies, manage the HST grants program, and conduct astronomical research during the remaining years of HST science mission as well as operate and maintain the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). The period of performance for this effort is May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2021. NASA/GSFC intends to extend Contract NAS5-26555 with AURA under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. AURA is the only known source that possesses the required experience and expertise in all areas, including, but not limited to astronomy, HST operations, optics, detectors, systems engineering, public affairs, grants administration, and foreign agreements to successfully meet the specific challenging mission requirements. HST is a highly complex and internationally acclaimed spacecraft that provides astronomical observing capabilities that are unique in the world. AURA is the only contractor that possesses a complete knowledge of HST's mission requirements in the critical area of planning and schedulingknowledge that is indispensable for maximizing the science return from the observatory. AURA's expertise in science operations is required to ensure the safety of the instruments and to process and calibrate the data so that it can be easily and effectively distributed to the astronomical community. AURA has expertly and continuously refined the science operations techniques of the mission during the past 25 years to incorporate changes and has worked with the astronomical community to develop, peer-review, communicate, and coordinate these changes with the telescope's users. AURA has made extensive, complex modifications to the planning, scheduling, and command-load-generation systems to support mission-critical life-extension activities. AURA is the only known source that possesses the end-to-end life cycle knowledge and skill set to safely and effectively operate the HST instrument suite. AURA is also the only identified source with deep, growing synergies between the HST and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) missions that demonstrably reduce risk, increase productivity, and minimize costs for both programs. 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 in writing via email to Michele.R.Connerton@nasa.gov no later than 2:00 p.m. local time on April 13, 2015. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose 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 open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications ARE NOT acceptable in response to this notice. 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 . Point of Contact Name: Michele R Connerton Title: Contract Specialist Phone: 301-286-6640 Fax: 301-286-1773 Email: michele.r.connerton@nasa.gov

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NASA Solicitation: Hubble Science Operations at Space Telescope Science Institute