RFQ for Engineering Support Services

Justification for Sole Source

This document justifies a sole source procurement for services from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Haystack Observatory. The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) requires support for a one-year period for the transportation of observational data from potentially compromised sources to support Earth Orientation Parameter (EOP) determination. This also includes consultation for special processing due to complex geodetic experiments and assistance with electronic-VLBI connections.

• Transportation of observational data from potentially compromised sources.

• Consultation for special processing related to geodetic experiments.

• Assistance with electronic-VLBI connections at USNO and Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory.

• Modifications to the 20m Antenna Backend at Kokee Park, HI, to make it VGOS compliant up to 14 GHz.

• Contractor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Haystack Observatory

• Period of Performance (PoP): 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2027

MIT Haystack is cited as the only source capable of furnishing the requirements due to its unique institution, developed standard format for all present and future IVS data, expertise, and infrastructure to quarantine and validate data from compromised sources. The document states that no other institution, Government or private, is capable of providing the data validation in the required time and with minimal risk. The correlator software and associated hardware are described as one-of-kind custom components, with the proposed contractor having designed and written most of the software adopted by the IVS. There is no alternate supplier.

This is a sole source justification, indicating no set-aside is applicable.

• The procurement is being solicited under simplified procedures (MPT to < SAT).
• The services must be compatible in all aspects with existing systems.
• Mitigation of risks associated with accepting data from international baselines is a key consideration.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for engineering support services for the interagency very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) correlator at the United States Naval Observatory (USNO). These services are a continuation of current support and will focus on the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) and legacy VLBI operations.

• Consultation on complex geodetic experiments and VLBI data processing.

• Maintenance of a VLBI data depot, including temporary storage, validation, and transfer of data.

• Modifications to the 20m Antenna Backend to be VGOS compliant up to 14GHz, including provision of "as-built" technician, user documentation, and spare equipment.

• Program management for all related contractual activities.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order.

• Period of Performance: July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

• Solicitation Issue Date: June 15, 2026.

• Offer Due Date: June 22, 2026, 02:00 PM.

• Quotes are to be submitted electronically via email to shere.c.reese.civ@us.navy.mil by the due date.

• Quotes must comply with detailed formatting and content instructions; non-compliant quotes may be considered unacceptable.

• Price quotes must be held firm for thirty (30) days.

• Evaluation will be based on Price, in accordance with FAR Part 12. The government may evaluate any information submitted to support price reasonableness.

• The government intends to award on a sole source basis to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

• This acquisition is listed as unrestricted.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including those related to commercial products and services, payment instructions (WAWF), and contract terms.

• Specific clauses related to contractor personnel access to facilities, IT systems, and sensitive information are included, requiring background investigations and training.