Wide Field Imager for Parker Solar Probe
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Navy, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) intends to enter into a sole source Cost Plus Fixed-Fee contract with Southwest Research Institute. This contract is for the continuation of support for coronal tomography and remote diagnosis of the corona using observational data from NRL’s Wide Field Imager for Parker Solar Probe (WISPR) on board NASA’s Parker Solar Probe.
This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation. Firms believing they can meet this requirement must provide written notification with supporting evidence within 15 days of publication.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide WISPR support services, focusing on the development and exploitation of algorithmic tools for WISPR science data analysis. Key tasks include:
- Developing and publishing analysis tools for photometric comparison of coronal features.
- Developing and publishing experimental methods for tomographic inversion of coronal structure.
- Analyzing feature motion near the spacecraft path to understand solar wind variability.
- Determining the importance and persistence of density features and isolating dust impact ejecta streaks.
- Providing scientific support to the WISPR team, including attending meetings, presenting at conferences, and publishing results.
- Coordinating with other PSP instrument teams and utilizing software to remove impact ejecta tracks.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole Source, Cost Plus Fixed-Fee
- Duration: One (1) twelve-month base year and four (4) twelve-month option years.
- Set-Aside: Not Applicable (Sole Source)
- Response Due: February 27, 2026 (15 days from publication)
- Published: February 12, 2026
Performance & Deliverables
Software tools developed must be published under GPL v3 or a less restrictive open-source license. Scientific results are to be published in open, referred literature, coordinated with NRL prior to submission. Required deliverables include quarterly progress and financial status reports, scientific and technical reports, and a final report.
Additional Notes
This notice meets FAR Subpart 5.2 and DFARS 206.302-1 requirements. A solicitation will not be posted. The government retains discretion to compete the procurement based on responses to this notice. Travel to annual Parker Solar Probe public science meetings and twice-annual science working group meetings is required.