From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: NASA statement on Earth Data System proposals [NTE 92-71] (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 04:31:15 GMT

Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.         August 10, 1992
(Phone:  202/358-1547)

Randee Exler
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
(Phone:  301/286-7277)

N92-71
NOTE TO EDITORS

NASA STATEMENT ON EARTH DATA SYSTEM PROPOSALS

	NASA today issued the following statement regarding 
the Earth Observing System Data and Information System 
Core System acquisition:

NASA CALLS FOR REVISED PROPOSALS FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING 
DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM CORE SYSTEM ACQUISITION

	The government has completed its evaluation of 
proposals received for the Earth Observing System Data 
and Information System (EOSDIS) Core System (ECS) 
Acquisition.  ECS will, over the 10-year period of the 
contract, be a geographically distributed system 
supporting the operations and management of the Earth 
Observing System in-orbit payloads and other U.S. Earth 
observing spacecraft.  ECS will support the acquisition, 
processing, archival and distribution of EOS data and 
selected non-EOS data (e.g., Earth probe data systems, 
pathfinder data sets) and will facilitate a wide range 
of scientific research.

	As prescribed by NASA source selection regulations, 
the evaluation of proposals included a "most probable 
cost" analysis of each proposal as reflected in the 
"best and final offers" submitted by the offerers.  
Despite NASA's repeated attempts during the solicitation 
and evaluation processes to encourage the submission of 
realistic cost estimates, the government's analysis 
clearly indicates that the offerers significantly 
underestimated the cost of the respective technical 
approaches.  Accordingly, NASA is unwilling to select an 
offerer for further negotiations leading to award of a 
contract.

	Extensive analysis of the proposed technical 
approaches shows that the proposals reflect sound 
technical approaches and exhibit a reasonable 
understanding of the program to be accomplished.  
Whatever the reason for the underestimation of cost, the 
end result is unrealistic cost proposals that do not 
provide a satisfactory basis 
for constructive negotiations.

	NASA has elected, therefore, to offer an additional 
opportunity for offerers in the competitive range to 
adjust the proposed costs to a more realistic level.  In 
instructions issued by the Goddard Space Flight Center 
on Aug.10, 1992, as an amendment to the solicitation, 
NASA has directed the offerers to submit revised cost 
proposals. Changes to the previously submitted technical 
and business management proposals will not be 
considered.

	In addition, Goddard Space Flight Center has 
provided the offerers with the provision that will be 
used to evaluate the contractor's cost performance 
during the contract period.  This provision assesses 
significant reductions to the award fee if the 
contractor fails to manage and control the program in 
accordance with the costs proposed.

	Revised cost proposals that realistically reflect 
the requirements of the solicitation and the proposed 
technical approach are to be submitted by 1 p.m. EDT on 
Aug. 31, 1992.  By the end of September 1992, NASA 
intends to select an offerer for negotiations leading to 
contract award.
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