Active

Contract Opportunity

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center (ARC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for services related to the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) mirror coating system, which is under contract to be relocated to ARC from Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC). Following the delivery of the system to ARC, the required services include:

1. Reassembly and Installation: The successful contractor will be responsible for the reassembly and installation of the mirror coating system at ARC. This task includes carefully following provided engineering drawings and adhering to all safety protocols.

2. Connection of Essential Lines: This involves reconnecting:

• Electrical lines (both signal and power)


• Pneumatic lines


• Vacuum pump lines


• Cryogen plumbing lines

Connections must be made in strict accordance with engineering specifications and safety protocols.

3. Performance Testing: After assembly and installation, the system will undergo performance testing to ensure full functionality.

4. Facility Modifications: Minor modifications to the ARC facility may be required to accommodate the system. These modifications will need Government approval and must align with operational and safety standards.

NASA ARC is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI), and members of the underserved communities as defined by Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, for the purposes of determining the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Mirror Coating System Reassembly and Testing. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

Vendors having the capabilities necessary to meet or exceed the stated requirements are invited to submit appropriate documentation, literature, brochures, and references.

Potential vendors with experience in mirror coating chamber installation and testing are invited to provide information on their capabilities, including:

• Company profile and experience with similar projects


• Approach to the installation, reassembly, and performance testing phases


• Demonstrated ability to comply with detailed engineering specifications and safety protocols


• Availability and projected timelines for undertaking the project


• Any specific requirements or support needed from NASA ARC

All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to Joshua D. Taggart at Joshua.d.taggart@nasa.gov no later than February 15, 2024, by 12:00 PM Central Time. Please reference “SOFIA Mirror Coating System Reassembly and Testing” in any response.

This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

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