Correlator build

1. Description

1.1 The purpose of this contract is to obtain services for modernizing and modifying the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Correlator System      

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued.

2.00 SCOPE

2.0 The mission of the USNO is to determine time, both atomic and astronomical, to determine and predict the positions of celestial objects and Earth Orientation and to provide this data to the DoW. VLBI observations are used by USNO to determine and predict the variable orientation of the Earth in three-dimensional space as well as to maintain the positions of the extragalactic radio sources which form the basis for the quasi-inertial celestial reference frame, within which the Earth Orientation Parameters are determined.

The objectives of this procurement are, 1) implement a state-of-the-art software based VLBI capability to take advantage of advances in the electronic transmission of observational VLBI data over the Internet to enable near real-time operations; 2) develop a software based VLBI correlator capability to take advantage of advances in high-performance computing needed to process higher volumes of VLBI data from VGOS and next generation VLBA systems; and 3) procure and deliver components for this correlator consistent with new and updated DoN and USNO cyber requirements. 

3.0 Responses

Request Responses by TBD, 1:00pm EST. The response shall be submitted via e-mail only to the Government Point of Contract (POC): Michael Stoutenger, Program Analyst, michael.j.stoutenger.civ@us.navy.mil Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing to the POC. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted via telephone. The Government does not guarantee that all questions received will be answered.

The RFI should address the following:

1. Capability Statement/Ability to meet specifications

2. Previous similar contract/experience

3. Company Information. Name, mailing address, phone number, CAGE/and or DUNS, business size status and e-mail of designated point of contact