The National Science Foundation Office of Legislative and Public Affairs intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the complete research, treatment, scripting and production of a 20-25 minute video on the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the associated astrophysics. BACKGROUND; For many years, telescopes that detect and measure electromagnetic waves, including visible light, have been the primary means for astronomers and physicists to study the universe. LIGO is enabling scientists to reach out with an entirely new means of exploration—detectors of gravitational waves. The LIGO project is spearheading the completely new field of gravitational wave astronomy and opening a new window on the universe. LIGO may ultimately take us farther back in time than we’ve ever been, catching, perhaps, the very first murmurs of the universe in formation. For more information on LIGO please visit http://www.ligo.caltech.edu/. SCOPE OF REQUIREMENT; NSF seeks to produce a creative, entertaining video that will inform and educate the general public on the importance and relevance of the LIGO effort. Because LIGO will be at the forefront of discovery, it has great potential to inspire young minds—and minds not so young. LIGO will bring us new knowledge, but its rarer gift may be to open up our imaginations. This, then, is not a simple educational video. It is a story about the drama of the scientific quest, about grand vision and optimism, about doing it right. The video must tell the story in a way that is compelling, entertaining, inspiring and intelligible to a wide variety of audiences. This procurement is issued on a competitive basis to qualified small businesses. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer in response to the RFP, which shall be considered by the agency. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor a Request for Proposal. No contract will be awarded resultant of this notice. Oral communications and facsimile responses are not authorized, all questions must be submitted electronically to the National Science Foundation, Attn: Jamala A. Jones, Contracting Officer, Division of Acquisition and Cost Support, at [email protected]. The anticipated contract start date will be the first part of September 2003. The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about the end of June 2003 with an anticipated offer due date of on or about the end of July 2003.

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