Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) Access to Space (ATS) “GLIMR ATS"

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This notice is a synopsis for the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) Access to Space (ATS) procurement. The government is seeking potential Offerors to provide information regarding the procurement strategy, upcoming milestones, and comments on draft requirements. The GLIMR investigation, selected in August 2019, aims to use a hyperspectral ocean color radiometer from geostationary orbit to observe coastal waters.

The scope includes the procurement of commercial services for:

• Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle

• Integration Planning

• Ground System Integration, Testing, and Readiness

• Instrument-Spacecraft Integration, Test, and Pre-Launch Processing

• Spectrum Licensing and orbital slot authorization

• Launch and GLIMR In-orbit Checkout

• On-Orbit Spacecraft and Instrument Operations

• Programmatic and technical support The instrument delivery readiness is estimated for no later than January 2027.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) with milestone payments.

• Period of Performance (POP): Five (5) years (3-year base period + two 1-year options).

• Estimated POP breakdown: 7 months integration planning, 11 months integration and test, 6 months in-orbit checkout, and 1 year baseline operations.

• This is a synopsis for planning purposes; a draft RFP will be released.

• The procurement will be conducted as a full and open competition.

• Evaluation will be based on overall Best Value to the Government, considering price and non-price factors (experience/past performance, technical approach).

• Technical approach will be proposed via oral presentations.

• Key estimated milestone dates:

  • Industry Comments Due: April/May 2026
  • Draft RFP Issuance: May 2026
  • Pre-solicitation Conference: June 2026
  • Final RFP Issuance: July 2026
  • Proposals Due: September 2026
  • Award: January 2027

• Full and open competition.

• NAICS code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), 1,000 employee size standard.

• Will utilize FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 15 terms and evaluation procedures.

• The government is looking for industry to provide an effective solution that meets GLIMR ATS requirements; the instrument does not need to be a dedicated spacecraft payload.

• Offerors are encouraged to provide questions, comments, and feedback on the attached documentation.

• No solicitation is currently available. Monitor www.SAM.gov for updates.

• Contact: larc-glimr-ats@mail.nasa.gov for questions, comments, and feedback.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "EXHIBIT C - GLIMR ATSRD," is the Access to Space Requirements Document (ATSRD) for the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) Access to Space (ATS) mission. It establishes the functional and performance requirements for the GLIMR mission's access to space.

• Scope and Purpose: Defines the requirements for the GLIMR mission's access to space.
• Document Organization: Outlines the structure of the document, including sections on applicable documents, system description, requirements, and appendices.
• System Description: Provides an overview of the GLIMR mission, including its objectives, system architecture (Ground, Space, Launch, and Science Segments), and data flow.
• Requirements: Details the specific requirements for the GLIMR Access to Space, covering areas such as:
  • General Requirements: Orbit insertion, mission duration, and launch duration.
  • Mechanical Requirements: Interfaces, clearances, volumes, field of view, structural alignment, mass properties, and launch environment loads (quasi-static acceleration, random vibration, sinusoidal vibration, acoustic, shock, launch pressure profile, minimum natural frequency).
  • Thermal Requirements: Heat transfer, temperature ranges, and radiator back loading.
  • EMC/EMI Requirements: Conducted emissions, conducted susceptibility, radiated emissions, radiated susceptibility, and electrical bonding.
  • Pointing: Nadir pointing accuracy, orbit accuracy, orbital position accuracy, orbital velocity accuracy, attitude knowledge accuracy, and angular rate accuracy.
  • On-Orbit Disturbance Requirements: Angular and translational disturbance environments, and uncompensated torque.
  • Electrical: Power, electrical interfaces, and power enable signals.
  • Contamination Control: Surface cleanliness, optics purge, purge gas purity, material selection, molecular deposition, outgassing rate, particulate deposition, and thruster impingement.
  • Facility and Transport Environments: Prelaunch environmental conditions.
  • Operations Requirements: Telemetry, command and data handling, power on commands, safing commands, fault management, and communication protocols.
• Appendices: Includes acronyms, a glossary, and a requirement summary table.

This document is critical for any bidder involved in the GLIMR mission's "Access to Space" component. It outlines the comprehensive technical and performance requirements that the spacecraft and payload must meet. Bidders will need to demonstrate how their proposed solutions satisfy these detailed requirements, particularly in areas such as mechanical interfaces, environmental survivability (vibration, thermal, shock), electrical interfaces, pointing accuracy, data handling, and contamination control. The document serves as a foundational specification for the design, development, and verification of the GLIMR spacecraft and its associated systems.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) details the work to be performed by the contractor for the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) Access to Space (ATS) effort, covering Life Cycle Implementation Phases D through F. The GLIMR mission aims to provide the first geostationary hyperspectral ocean color sensor in the Western Hemisphere to study ocean processes at diurnal timescales, focusing on phytoplankton blooms, coastal features, and land-ocean exchanges.

The contractor shall perform the following key activities:

• Plan and design the GLIMR Observatory and Launch Segment.
• Plan GLIMR Spacecraft to GLIMR Payload integration.
• Design, integrate, and test the GLIMR Ground Segment.
• Perform GLIMR Payload to GLIMR Spacecraft integration.
• Perform GLIMR Observatory testing and pre-launch processing.
• Launch and perform GLIMR Observatory In-Orbit checkout.
• Perform On-Orbit operations.
• Perform extended operations, if required.

The scope is organized by Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs): CLIN 1 covers the initial services and integration through baseline operations. CLINs 2 and 3 cover extended on-orbit operations.

While specific metrics are not detailed in this section, the SOW outlines numerous reviews, testing phases (e.g., Electromagnetic Self Compatibility Test, Dynamics Test, Thermal Vacuum Test), and reporting requirements (e.g., Monthly Project Status Report) that will be used to ensure performance and compliance.

The SOW covers Phases D through F of the mission. Specific dates for launch and operations are not detailed in this document, but it outlines the sequence of activities from planning through extended operations.

• The contractor must adhere to a Quality Management System compliant with SAE AS9100.
• Configuration control and management processes are required for all software and engineering aspects.
• Safety and mission assurance practices must be followed.
• The contractor must manage interfaces between the GLIMR Payload, Spacecraft, and Ground Segment.
• Government personnel will have access to contractor facilities and reviews.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Exhibit B, serves as the Data Requirements List (DRL) and Data Requirements Description (DRD) for the GLIMR (Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer) Access to Space (ATS) project. It details the specific documentation and data deliverables required from the contractor throughout the project lifecycle.

• Data Requirements List (DRL): Outlines specific documents and data products required, including their due dates, media format, and submission category (Approval, Review, or Information).
• Data Requirements Description (DRD): Provides detailed information on the purpose, use, and preparation requirements for each item listed in the DRL. This includes various reviews (e.g., ATS Requirements Review, Integration Review, Test Readiness Review, Mission Operations Readiness Review, Post Launch Assessment Review, Decommissioning Review, Pre-Ship Review, Extended Mission Reviews, Key Decision Points), project management reports (e.g., Monthly Project Status Report, Security Requirements, Financial Reporting, Subcontracting Reports, OCI Plan), safety and mission assurance documents (e.g., Quality Plan, Reporting of Discrepancies, FMEA), and technical documents (e.g., ICDs, V&V Plan, Thermal Analysis Report, Coupled Loads Analysis, Integration and Test Procedures, Contamination Control Plan, Operations Plan, Software Integration and Test Procedures, Disturbance Contributions Model).
• Definitions: Includes definitions for key terms and acronyms used throughout the document.
• Due Dates and Maturity: Specifies definitions for due dates (e.g., DACA) and maturity levels (Draft, Final, Update).
• Media and Category: Defines electronic delivery formats and submission categories (Approval, Review, Information).

This document is critical for potential bidders as it explicitly defines all contractual data and documentation deliverables expected. It outlines the scope of work in terms of reporting, reviews, and technical documentation required, providing a clear understanding of the contractor's responsibilities for project oversight, technical execution, and mission success. Bidders must carefully review the DRL and DRDs to ensure they can meet all specified requirements, including timelines and formats, which will directly impact proposal development and contract execution.