Definitive Contract #80GSFC18C0014

NASA Awards $125,661,657.33 Contract for PUNCH Instrument Development

This definitive contract awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to Southwest Research Institute is a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement focused on the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) Phase A Concept Study. The contract encompasses personnel, materials, and engineering expertise necessary for the design and development of the PUNCH instrument, ensuring compliance with mission and science requirements. The agency aims to enhance solar observation and understanding of the heliosphere, which is significant for advancing scientific knowledge in space exploration. There was no set-aside designation for this award, which was issued under full and open competition. The total potential value of the contract is $125,661,657.33. Key subcontractors include UK Research & Innovation, providing ongoing instrumentation development; the Regents of the University of Colorado, facilitating working group support; and Blue Canyon Technologies LLC, addressing avionics box repairs. The contract's period of performance began on November 22, 2017, and extends through July 31, 2025. Subsequent actions on the contract reflect ongoing collaboration and adjustments to ensure project goals are met.

Description

THE PURPOSE OF THIS MODIFICATION IS TO DEFINITIZE THE UNPRICED CHANGE ORDER THAT WAS EXECUTED IN P00030 TO INCORPORATE PHASE E&F SCOPE INTO THE CONTRACT - UNDER THIS CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES NECESSARY TO PRODUCE THE POLARIMETER TO UNIFY THE CORONA HELIOSPHERE (PUNCH) PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY. THE SCOPE OF THIS EFFORT INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:.1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM OFFICE.2. INSTRUMENT SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INCLUDING INSTRUMENT MISSION ASSURANCE.3. DESIGN OF A FLIGHT QUALIFIED PUNCH INSTRUMENT MEETING MISSION AND SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS.4. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF INTEGRATION AND TEST OF THE PUNCH INSTRUMENT FLIGHT SYSTEM.5. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF ESSENTIAL FIELD OPERATIONS.6. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPERATIONS AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS.7. DEVELOP PLANS FOR LEAD THE PUNCH SCIENCE INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS THE GENERATION OF RESULTING DATA PRODUCTS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON THE PUNCH SCIENCE AND SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AT THE PHASE A SITE VISIT. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE AN ORGANIZATION CHART DEFINING CONTRACTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REPORTING PROCEDURES, AND ALL LINES OF AUTHORITY. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PARTICIPATE IN DEFINING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CONTRACTOR'S PROGRAM OFFICE AND THE NASA EXPLORERS PROGRAM OFFICE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP A PUNCH INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT AND A PUNCH MISSION SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT. THE CONTRACTOR WILL ALSO DEVELOP DETAILED BLOCK DIAGRAMS AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL CONDUCT IN-DEPTH INSTRUMENT-LEVEL REVIEWS OF THE PROPOSED INSTRUMENT DESIGN. THEY WILL CONDUCT ESSENTIAL TRADE STUDIES, ANALYSES, MODELING AND SIMULATIONS TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL LEAD THE SCIENCE TEAM AND DEVELOP AN INSTRUMENT-LEVEL TEST PLAN AND PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING FOR INTEGRATION AND TEST. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE A DETAILED INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE COVERING ALL MISSION PHASES, LISTING MAJOR MILESTONES, INCLUDING A DEFINED CRITICAL PATH AND SCHEDULE RESERVES. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PREPARE UPDATED INSTRUMENT BUDGETS AS WELL AS REVIEW AND APPROVE THE OVERALL PUNCH BUDGET. FINALLY, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT.

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