NASA/GSFC has a requirement for the Roman Space Telescope (Roman) Science Support Center (SSC) . 

NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire the Science Support Center (SSC) from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”

Caltech shall provide science operations system engineering, ground system development, operations, science research support, and scientific community engagement and public outreach support for the Roman Project.  Caltech will be part of a mission team that GSFC leads and includes many participants, including the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), international partners, and other support contractors.

The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) is justified because Caltech is the only organization qualified to perform the subject requirements based on:

Caltech’s unique knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise gained on NASA’s large survey missions, including Spitzer, Kepler, WISE, Herschel, and Euclid.

The Roman observatory is being designed and developed on a challenging schedule.  The Mission Operations Review, the Operations Readiness Review, and the Post Launch Assessment Review will take place during the planned period of performance of this contract.  Only an experienced contractor with extensive, state-of-the-art expertise in astronomy, science operations (including observation definition, science data processing and analysis, and archive use), optics, detectors, systems engineering, and outreach will meet the required elements of the contract statement of work needed to meet the mission requirements within the defined mission timeline.  Caltech is the only known source that has the expertise to successfully achieve the challenging objectives of the Science Support Center for the Roman program.

Caltech has had extensive experience with NASA infrared survey science missions, including Spitzer, and WISE (and NEOWISE), and is preparing for significant and challenging ground system support for the Euclid mission. Caltech also has had extensive Kepler exoplanet data analysis experience. The ground system design, development, and operations at the Roman SSC are based on many similar aspects of these missions, including planning extensive sky surveys and critical individual observations, and science data processing and analysis. Caltech, due to the tools, skills, and experience gained from a similar effort on the Euclid mission in partnership with LAM, is the only responsible source for processing and analyzing large-scale crowded-field grism and prism spectroscopic data in association with the LAM to meet the Roman mission requirements. The application of organizational expertise, lessons learned, and adaptation of the Euclid science data processing and analysis tools for 2D spectra extraction and preparation; 2D spectral fitting, decontamination, and flat fielding; and wavelength and flux calibration provides a proven path and maximum cost efficiency for this Roman effort. 

Caltech’s experience covers all of the functional areas required for the Roman SSC due to vast experience with:

1. Science observation definition and planning
2. Instrument commanding
3. Science data pipeline design, development, and operations
4. Science data calibration
5. Exoplanet science community engagement and support
6. Collaboration with domestic and international project partners

Caltech’s specific experience and inventory of tools are unique and makes Caltech the only responsible source for this work.

The period of performance for this contract is October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2027. 

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 Julie Janus at [email protected] not later than April 22, 2021 at 3:00 pm ET.  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 http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html