SAM #80TECH26RFI0011

NASA RFI for Launch Ascent Imagery Services at Kennedy Space Center

NASA is conducting market research for Launch Ascent Imagery services to support the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program at Kennedy Space Center. - Government Buyer: - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO) - EGS Program at Kennedy Space Center - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in this RFI - Products/Services Requested: - Launch Ascent Imagery as a service - Remotely operable, interoperable, and standardized imagery systems - High-speed visual, infrared, and multi-focal length imaging - Multi-tracking and accurate tracking for short, medium, and long ranges - Systems must be movable, transportable, and suitable for harsh outdoor environments - Flexible mobilization and efficient operations - Intended to modernize or replace current mobile Kineto Tracking Mounts/Ascent Imagery Systems - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Vendors must provide capability statements with technical details, power requirements, operational limitations, and past performance - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities are listed - This is a Request for Information (RFI) for planning purposes only, not a solicitation for bids

Description

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources on obtaining Launch Ascent Imagery as a service on an as-needed basis for NASA Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program vehicle launches at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Reductions in program budgets and a decreased launch manifest have prompted the EGS Communications Office to request information for a possible procurement of Launch Ascent Imagery as a service, with a general cadence of one (1) launch per year. The goal is to acquire this capability from commercial entities capable of providing a viable service. This document is for informational and planning purposes only, allowing industry to verify the reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as to promote competition.

NASA ITPO is seeking capability statements from all interested parties, including all socioeconomic categories of Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)/Minority Institutions (MIs), to determine the appropriate level of competition and/or small business subcontracting goals for Launch Ascent Imagery as a service on an as-needed basis for NASA EGS Program vehicle launches. The government reserves the right to consider set-asides for Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SDVOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB), or HUBZone businesses 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.

Key details are summarized below:

Remotely operable: Launch ascent imagery systems that allow remote operations control of optical tracking systems. Interoperable: Subsystems to be installed on any tracking gimbal/turret of the fleet, with or without shore power. Products should provide TBD imagery file formats. Interoperable: Subsystems may be located or installed with or without shore power but should be declared to assess ground services availability. Products should provide TBD imagery file formats. Standardized: The main architecture of launch ascent imagery systems should be standardized. Flexible: mobilization within no less than 24 hours prior to mission launch. Multi-spectral imaging support: Systems that deliver high-speed visual imagery, infrared imagery, and multi-focal length imagery. Multi-tracking: Optical tracking systems capable of generating test data on multiple targets simultaneously from various deployed locations. Accurate/Quality tracking: Consistently smooth, properly framed areas of interest throughout the ascent profile for each deployed location. Movable and transportable: Systems that can be repositioned over the test range, allowing for optimized positioning, changes to ground camera sites, or inter-range movements as operationally required. Efficient operations: Easy setup for various flight test scenarios, including preprocessing, simulation, and tracking planning. Short-range tracked imagery: Acquisition and delivery of launch imagery from approximately 1,200 feet from the launch vehicle, typically from T-10 seconds through loss of sight. Equipment must be remotely operated due to proximity to Pad B. Medium-range tracked imagery: Acquisition from approximately five miles from the launch pad, typically from T-0 through loss of sight. Sites may be within or outside the Blast Danger or Flight Caution Areas, potentially limiting personnel access. Long-range tracked imagery: Acquisition from 5 to 40 miles away, typically from T-0 (or AOV) through loss of sight, including imagery of SRB separation. Launch Abort System (LAS) tracked imagery: Capable of capturing imagery during LAS activation at any moment after arming, with separation occurring at high speed.

The service aims to replace current mobile Kineto Tracking Mounts/Ascent Imagery Systems, modernizing the capability to capture optical imagery of launches, provide high-resolution imagery of local flight test events, and enhance situational awareness for launch personnel. Solutions providing High-Definition imaging may be used alone or in conjunction with other systems. Refer to NASA-STD-2818 (ver. 3) - DIGITAL TELEVISION FOR NASA for additional guidance.

Responders are encouraged to comment on all aspects and express interest by submitting the following information:

Recommendations for performance trade-offs to reduce costs. Indicate which part of the overall capability your solution addresses. Describe how your solution works. Outline limitations of your system. Specify power requirements, including shore or mobile power. Indicate the need for external cooling. Describe mitigations for operation in harsh outdoor environments (heat, saltwater, wind, rain, etc.). Provide information on maturity and previous experience with imagery acquisition using your system. State whether your response pertains to a new development (prototype) or a stable, tested platform. Estimate the time required to configure the system for operational capability. Indicate if lighting is required or provided. Quantify the capability to capture imagery in low-light conditions. Describe how quickly imagery can be delivered after acquisition. Specify any support, materials, equipment, or permits needed from NASA. Identify any requirements in this RFI that cannot be met and what NASA might need to provide. Indicate which components of your system are COTS or slightly modified COTS, and identify any new components requiring significant NRE as

View original listing