Management and Operations of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC)

Proposals are solicited to manage and operate the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) through cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). NAIC is a center of excellence for multidisciplinary research and education, as enabled by the world-class observational facilities of the Arecibo Observatory (AO). AO's cornerstone research instrument is a 305-meter diameter, fixed, spherical reflector, located on approximately 120 acres of U.S. Government-owned land near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. As the world's largest single-dish radio telescope and most powerful scientific radar system, AO is unique in its sensitivity for passive radio astronomy, solar system radar astronomy and space and atmospheric sciences. The awardee will work closely with NSF and the scientific community to ensure that NAIC continues to support, sustain and advance frontier science as enabled by AO's unique research capabilities and as promoted through a culture of excellence. In cooperation with NSF and within available resources, NAIC will plan and execute a viable, coherent and inclusive program of research and education, consistent with the objectives and priorities of the scientific community. The awardee will manage facilities and equipment provided by NSF, will provide additional facilities and equipment as necessary to fulfill the proposed programmatic scope, and will provide support and technical personnel to manage AO as a well integrated research and education facility. The Observatory is a multidisciplinary resource; as such, a significant portion of the NAIC research and education program should be carried out in collaboration with its stakeholder communities. Proposals should describe how the proposing institution(s) will provide observing capabilities and scientific data; conduct a competitive research program and an integrated program of education, training and outreach; maintain instruments, facilities and infrastructure; manage and develop a skilled and diverse workforce; and establish appropriate partnerships with universities, industry, private organizations and the international community to support the NAIC mission. The successful proposal will be awarded as a cooperative agreement(s) with a duration of five years beginning October 1, 2011. The full program solicitation, including program requirements and proposal preparation instructions, is available at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503352 .