The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is planning for the development or procurement of the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) Visible to Shortwave Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VSWIR-IS) Instrument for a spaceflight application. The purpose of this request is to help inform the SBG Team in preparation for the Pre-Acquisition Strategy Meeting with NASA Headquarters and Earth Science Division (ESD) being held in late Summer 2021.This Request for Information (RFI) is open to all U.S. organizations. Interested parties having the required capabilities necessary to meet the requirements described herein should submit a capability statement of no more than 15 pages to
[email protected] by 18 August 2021, indicating the ability to perform all aspects of the effort. Only material suitable for full and open distribution shall be submitted and submittals shall be considered approved by the providing organization to be suitable for full and open distribution. No proprietary, export controlled, classified, or sensitive material should be provided in either abstracts or presentations. Disclaimer: The requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such a procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in the furnishing of this information. Respondents will not be notified of the results of evaluation. SBG Background The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conduct Decadal Surveys that sample thoroughly the research interests, aspirations, and needs of a scientific community. Through a rigorous process, a primary survey committee and thematic panels of community members construct a prioritized program of science goals and objectives and define an executable strategy for achieving them. These reports play a critical role in defining the nations agenda in that science area for the following 10 years. In December 2018, the second decadal survey in Earth science and applications from space (ESAS 2017) was completed and the final report Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space was issued. The survey’s overarching task was to generate recommendations for the environmental monitoring and Earth science and applications communities for an integrated and sustainable approach to the conduct of the U.S. government’s civilian space-based Earth-system science programs. The interpretation of this charge resulted in recommendations that would, within known constraints such as anticipated budgets, advance Earth system science and deliver critical information to support a broad range of needs. (See http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DEPS/ESAS2017/index.htm) In May 2021, NASA reported that it will create a new set of Earth-focused missions. Each of the satellites in the Earth System Observatory (ESO) are designed to complement one another to create a holistic view of the Earth. The observatory follows the recommendations of the National Academies 2017 decadal survey. SBG is one of five focus areas and will enable improved understanding of climate changes that impact food and agriculture, habitation, and natural resources, by answering open questions about the fluxes of carbon, water, nutrients, and energy within and between ecosystems and the atmosphere, the ocean, and the Earth. The SBG architecture will be centered around two free-flying spacecraft, one hosting a wide-swath global mapping Visible to Shortwave Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VSWIR-IS) instrument, and the other hosting a wide-swath global mapping Thermal Infrared (TIR) instrument paired with a multi-band Visible to Near-Infrared (VNIR) instrument contributed by a foreign space agency. The National Academies 2017 decadal survey has identified five (5) Most Important and seven (7) Very Important objectives for SBG [see attached Table 1. Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) Objectives ). VSWIR spectral imagery provides desired capabilities to address important geological, hydrological, and ecological questions. VSWIR-IS instrument concepts and technologies that meet all, most, or some of the objectives within the budget and schedule constraints recommended in the Decadal Survey will be evaluated. VSWIR-IS Instrument Performance The SBG Science and Applications Traceability Matrix (SATM) follows the National Academies 2017 decadal survey directions for desired capabilities. Key performance parameter ranges for the VSWIR-IS instrument, derived from the SATM are shown below. Spectral Range: 400-2500 nm Spectral Bands: ≤10 nm with continuous spectral coverage, 210+ bands Radiometric and Signal to noise (SNR) performance: SNR ≥400 VNIR and SNR ≥250 SWIR at 25% reflectance, <5% absolute radiometric uncertainty with high uniformity, low stray-light, and low polarization sensitivity needed to meet key science objectives Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) at nadir: 30 m Revisit Period: ≤16 days at the equator Coverage: All global land, inland waters, and coastal oceans Local Time for Acquisition: Between 10:30 to 11:30 AM Stability and duration: Measurements must be able to detect long term changes for addressing dynamics of the Earth System over the prime mission lifetime of 3 years with possible extensions As with the Most Important and Very Important objectives VSWIR-IS instrument concepts and technologies that meet all, most, or some of the key performance parameters within the budget and schedule constraints recommended in the Decadal Survey will be evaluated. VSWIR-IS Instrument Maturity and Reliability Interested parties are encouraged to describe the technical maturity and supporting basis for the VSWIR-IS instrument use in spaceflight. Suitable instrument candidates must be no less than Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 by the VSWIR-IS Instrument Preliminary Design Review (PDR). TRL definitions can be found in the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, and they apply to the relevant, intended environment (e.g. instrument demonstrated in a spaceflight environment). If the candidate instrument is not currently at TRL 6 for the intended environment, the response should include the following: An estimate of current TRL, using the TRL definitions in Appendix G of the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook (NASA SP-2016-6105 Rev. 2, 2016). A technology maturation plan that outlines the approach and timeline to achieve TRL 6. Identification of the external funding source(s) supporting the effort to achieve TRL 6 and qualify the hardware for the intended environment. The VSWIR-IS Instrument shall conform to Risk Classification C as defined in NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 8705.4A, Risk Classification for NASA Payloads. Interested parties are also encouraged to provide data or information to support a prime mission of at least 3 years. Spacecraft and Mission System Assumptions RFI submissions can assume the following spacecraft and mission system parameters: An instrument that can be hosted on a medium-sized spacecraft (e.g., maximum payload mass <200 kg) Instrument deployments: Hardware must be retained with the instrument (i.e., not released into orbit) Orbit type: Sun-synchronous Orbit altitude: 632 km Prime mission lifetime: At least 3 years with possible extensions Launch vehicle: Small to intermediate class expendable launch vehicle Payload position on the launch vehicle: primary or secondary Instrument Accommodation Needs The attached template [see Attachment 1. Instrument Accommodation Needs ] has been developed to facilitate the collection of TIR Instrument accommodations needs. Cost Estimate and Schedule SBG is cost-constrained. The SBG team requests a rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) estimate on the total cost. For purposes of cost estimation and planning, interested parties should consider award of the instrument Phase A contract no early than the Summer of 2022. Award of an instrument delivery contract should occur sometime in Phase B for Phases C-F. Phase B is expected to start no earlier than the Fall of 2023. The respondent should assume that the instrument is delivered to a spacecraft provider for integration & testing at the observatory-level, delivery to the launch site for launch, and a follow-on period for on-orbit checkout. This RFI is limited to instrument concepts that can feasibly be implemented by 2026, in time for a launch readiness date no later than 2028. Response Content Requirements SBG VSWIR-IS Instrument Concepts and Technologies Response due by 18 August 2021 Please provide the following information to
[email protected]: Organization information: Organization name and address, point(s)-of-contact name(s), e-mail address(es), and phone number(s). Abstract: Provide a brief summary of the VSWIR-IS instrument concept or participatory engagement approach. VSWIR-IS instrument concept: Describe the VSWIR-IS instrument concept or measurement capabilities and functions, how it addresses the objectives, requirements, and assumptions in this RFI, and its maturity (TRL) both at present and projected with maturation plan at the time of implementation (if for a future capability). Development approach: Outline the approach and timeline for developing and testing the VSWIR-IS instrument concept. Performance capability: Refer back to the VSWIR-IS instrument performance parameters. Signal-to-noise performance preferred on a band-by-band basis, although broadband values are acceptable. Calibration: Describe the methods used or planned for providing calibrated data (i.e., how is data quality maintained), and validating that the data meet specifications. Technology evolution or infusion: Describe the aspects of the system concept that will evolve over the lifetime of the program and how that technology will be infused in the described mission architecture. VSWIR-IS instrument cost estimate: Provide a rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) estimate of the cost to build the VSWIR-IS Instrument with accompanying assumptions and rationale (for reference purposes only). VSWIR-IS Instrument concepts and technologies responses are limited to no more than 15 pages, and should be submitted via e-mail by 18 August 2021 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (PDT). The subject line of the submission should be "Response to SBG VSWIR-IS Instrument RFI" and attachments should be in PDF format. Files should not be greater than 15MB in size. The information is requested for planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3, entitled "Solicitation for Information for Planning Purposes." Disclaimer: It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the SBG team pay for information solicited. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. Additional Study Information will be provided here: https://SBG.jpl.nasa.gov All questions about the RFI shall be directed by e-mail to:
[email protected]