ATTACHMENT A

NNG12CR31C

Dated 04/20/11

NASA

GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT

CENTER

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

OMNIBUS MULTIDISCIPLINE

ENGINEERING SERVICES (OMES)

FOR THE

APPLIED ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE (AETD)
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INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................1

SCOPE OF WORK............................................................................................................................2

I. GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES ....................................................................................................2

II. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT...........................................................................................3

III. TASKS.....................................................................................................................................................3

FUNCTION 1 – TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES........................................4

A. SOLID STATE DEVICE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ...........................................................4

B. INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ......................................................................4

C. PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.............................................................................................5

D. MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER WAVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ........................................6

E. INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ..........................................7

F. THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.........................................................8

G. POWER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES...................................................................................8

H. GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION AND CONTROL (GN&C) TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ..................9

I. CRYOGENIC AND FLUIDS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.............................................10

J. ADVANCED COATING AND FILM TECHNOLOGY SERVICES..................................................10

K. SCIENCE DATA PROCESSING APPLICATIONS & PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY SERVICES100

L. ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY SERVICES .................................................................................................10

M. AUTONOMOUS RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING (AR&D) SERVICES .......................................10

 

FUNCTION 2 – PRE-FORMULATION AND FORMULATION SERVICES: 

CANDIDATE, PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS, AND SYSTEMS DEFINITION STUDIES

.............................................................................................................................................................. 13

A. CANDIDATE STUDY SERVICES ......................................................................................................14

B. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS STUDY SERVICES..............................................................................14

C. SYSTEM DEFINITION STUDY SERVICES ......................................................................................15

FUNCTION 3 – IMPLEMENTATION PHASE SERVICES .............................................. 17

A. PROJECT MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................17

B. MISSION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING.................................................................................................17

C. INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING .......................................................................................20

D. SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, STUDIES, ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT......................23

E. MULTIDISCIPLINARY ANALYSES SERVICES ..............................................................................26

F. DETAILED DESIGN SERVICES .........................................................................................................26

G. FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY AND TESTING SERVICES ..............................................................37

H. INTEGRATION, TEST, AND VERIFICATION SERVICES..............................................................40

I. LABORATORY AND TEST INSTRUMENTATION SERVICES .....................................................41

J. MISSION ASSURANCE AND SYSTEMS SAFETY SERVICES......................................................42

K. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES .............................................................................43

L. CONTAMINATION AND COATINGS ENGINEERING SERVICES...............................................44

M. EEE PARTS PROGRAM SERVICES ................................................................................................47

N. MATERIALS ENGINEERING ............................................................................................................50

FUNCTION 4 – OPERATIONAL PHASE SERVICES........................................................ 52

A. DATA SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES................................................................................52

B. LAUNCH AND POST-LAUNCH OPERATIONS SERVICES...........................................................52
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FUNCTION 5 – INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES............................................................... 54

A. COMPUTER SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES .......................................................................54

B. DOCUMENT SERVICES......................................................................................................................56

C. MAINTENANCE SERVICES ...............................................................................................................57

D. SUSTAINING ENGINEERING SERVICES ........................................................................................57

E. DEMONSTRATION, PRESENTATION AND CONFERENCE SERVICES......................................58

F. EDUCATION SERVICES......................................................................................................................58

G. STANDARDS AND PROCESS............................................................................................................59

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS ................................................... 60
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INTRODUCTION

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is responsible for directing 

aeronautical and space activities sponsored by the United States. The aeronautical 

and space activities conducted by NASA contribute materially to one or more of the 

core objectives under the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 for the benefit 

of all mankind. The most notable objectives include (1) the expansion of human 

knowledge of the Earth and of phenomena in the atmosphere and space; (2) the 

development and operation of vehicles capable of carrying instruments, equipment, 

supplies, and living organisms through space; (3) the preservation of the role of the 

United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology and in the 

application thereof to the conduct of peaceful activities within and outside the 

atmosphere; and (4) the most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering 

resources of the United States. 

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), located in Greenbelt, Maryland, is home to 

the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers, and technologists 

and chartered to expand the knowledge of the Earth and its environment, the solar 

system, and the universe through observations from space. To this end, GSFC's 

primary emphasis is in scientific investigation, in the development and operation of 

space systems, and in the advancement of essential technologies. In accomplishing this 

responsibility, the GSFC has undertaken a broad program of scientific research, both 

theoretical and experimental, in the study of space phenomena and Earth sciences. The 

program ranges from basic research to flight experiment development and from 

mission operations to data analysis.

The Applied Engineering Technology Directorate (AETD) is GSFC’s largest 

organization responsible for providing multidiscipline engineering expertise to all 

projects within GSFC. AETD comprises five engineering divisions: the Mechanical 

Systems Division (MSD), the Instrument Systems and Technology Division (ISTD), 

the Electrical Engineering Division (EED), Software Engineering Division (SED), 

and the Mission Engineering and Systems Analysis Division (MESA). AETD is an 

end-to-end science mission operation that is instrumental in designing missions, 

building satellites and instruments, operating and controlling spacecraft, and 

acquiring and distributing data to the world-wide science community. AETD will be 

responsible for providing multidiscipline engineering expertise to both in-house and 

out-of-house instrument and spacecraft programs, including the Joint Polar Satellite 

System (JPSS) program and the Space Servicing Capabilities Project (SSCP). To 

fulfill these responsibilities and ultimately achieve missions, the AETD must acquire 

a wide range of engineering services in support of its divisions to implement the 

GSFC mission. 
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SCOPE OF WORK 

The principal purpose of this contract is to provide multidiscipline engineering 

support services and related work to EED, ISTD, SED, MSD, MESA, JPSS, SSCP, 

and related organizations, as required, for the study, design, systems engineering, 

development, fabrication, integration, testing, verification, and operations of space 

flight, airborne, and ground system hardware and software, including development 

and validation of new technologies to enable future space and science missions. 

To this end, the contractor shall provide on/off-site multidiscipline engineering 

services, pursuant to task orders issued by the Contracting Officer. These services 

shall include the personnel, facilities, and materials (unless otherwise provided by the 

Government) to accomplish the tasks.

Task orders will be issued to perform services in the following areas for components, 

subsystems, systems, science instruments, and spacecraft, suborbitalcraft (e.g., 

aircraft, sounding rockets, UAVs, balloons), including attached shuttle payloads, freeflying spacecraft, suborbitalcraft payloads, and Space Station payloads as well as 

ground support equipment, simulators, non-flight models, and prototypes; candidate, 

feasibility, and systems definition studies; project management; systems engineering; 

analysis; preliminary design; detailed design; fabrication; assembly; integration; test 

and verification; test instrumentation; data systems management; launch and postlaunch operations; research and technology unique to system development; parts and 

materials; documentation; maintenance; sustaining engineering; configuration 

management; performance assurance; systems safety; and contamination control. 

I. GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES

The Contractor’s responsibilities shall include the management of personnel, timely 

and effective implementation of task orders, control and monitoring of contract and 

subcontract performance, management of scheduled deliveries, and timely and 

effective reporting to the Government. These responsibilities shall also include 

efficient cost management methods as well as procedures to ensure that the 

Government is aware of task order status and progress achieved.

The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all contractor and subcontractor 

personnel engaged in performance of this Statement of Work have appropriate 

qualifications, knowledge, and certification to perform work in accordance with the 

task orders.
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II. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

Performance-based statements of work/specifications will be used for establishing 

contract requirements. Therefore, each task order issued by the Contracting Officer 

will include, as a minimum, the following:

1. Statement of Work, including the requirements to be met, the standard(s) of 

performance/quality of work, and required deliverables (or other output)

2. Performance Specification (if applicable)

3. Applicable Documents (if required)

4. Period of Performance

5. Surveillance Plan

The Contractor shall be required to adhere to the performance measurements detailed 

in each task order.

III. TASKS

Services shall be required in one or more of the areas described in the scope above for 

any given task order. Services within the scope of this Statement of Work and 

specified in task orders shall include, but not be limited to, the specific services 

delineated in the following sections.
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FUNCTION 1 – Technology Development Services

The contractor shall provide advanced research and technology support to EED, 

ISTD, SED, MSD, MESA, JPSS, SSCP and related organizations. These services 

may include development, test and analysis work in support of the Research and 

Technology activities.

A. SOLID STATE DEVICE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Contractor shall provide research, design, development, and analysis of 

electronic devices for application to science missions.

1. Electronic Device Development Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide electronic device development services, including:

a. Activities that support the research, development, evaluation, design, 

manufacture, and test of semiconductor devices in current use or in 

development as future technology for use in aerospace applications

b. Research and development of new, state-of-the-art electronic packaging 

techniques

c. Research and implementation to flight standards of surface mount and 

multi-chip

modules technology

B. INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide research, design, development, and testing, and analysis 

services for instrument systems, including:

1. Instrument Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services 

for the research and development of advanced analytical, engineering, 

integration, testing, and software engineering techniques including:

a. Software engineering

b. Software test techniques

c. System functional test techniques and methods

d. Data analysis algorithms and methods

e. System performance testing techniques

f. Real-time computer system conceptual design

g. Statistics, statistical inference, neural net applications

h. Finite element analysis
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i. Controls and structural interaction analysis

j. Laser communications analysis

j. Robotic simulations

k. Reconfigurable computing system conceptual design

l. Instrument Systems Performance modeling

m. X-Ray, Ultraviolet, Optical, and Infrared Instrument systems performance 

testing and analysis

n. Particle and field Instrument design development and analysis

o. Instrument Systems signal to noise analysis

p. Advanced hyperspectral imaging concepts

q. Microwave and sub millimeter wave radiometer advanced concepts and 

performance modeling

s. Lossless and lossy compression algorithms

t. Science data archival formats and data distribution methods

u. Instrument applications of computational optics

v. Synthetic Aperture Radar advanced concepts

w. Computational Image enhancement

x. Autonomous Instrument systems

C. PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide research, design, development, test, and analysis 

services for electro-optical subsystems for scientific systems, including:

1. Optoelectronics Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services for 

optoelectronics technology tasks as follows:

a. Read/write magnetoptical disk storage

b. Optical engineering

c. Opto-mechanical engineering

d. Fiber optic systems

e. Calibration and test sets

f. Alignment

2. Opto-Mechanical Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services for 

opto-mechanical technology tasks as follows:

a. Develop advanced opto-mechanical technology for components and 

subsystems

b. GSE optical instrumentation 

c. Develop novel materials for lightweight optical components, mounts, and 

support structures

d. Develop novel thin film design, fabrication, and characterization processes

e. State-of-the art diffractive optics and characterization
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f. new optical design concepts and analysis techniques

g. state-of-the-art optical fabrication and test methods

D. MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER WAVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide research, design, development, test, and analysis 

services for microwave and millimeter wave systems for ground and space flight 

applications, including:

1. Antenna and Tracking Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide services for antenna and tracking system technology tasks, including:

a. Instrument antenna systems

b. Communication antenna systems

c. Antenna deployable/retractable assemblies

d. Antenna feed networks/components

e. Servo controls

f. Gimbals

g. Phased array antenna technology

2. Microwave and Millimeter Wave Components Specific Tasks – The 

Contractor shall provide services for microwave and millimeter wave 

components technology tasks, including:

a. Research and development of high-speed analog and digital electronics for 

RF, microwave, and millimeter wave communications systems

b. Research and development of components for space communication 

applications, including modulator/exciters, solid-state power amplifiers, 

low-noise amplifiers, low-noise mixers, and improved local oscillator 

technology.

c. Systems engineering

d. Transponder technology

3. Microwave Instruments Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for microwave instruments technology tasks, including:

a. Instrument antenna systems

b. Low noise receivers, including improved local oscillator technology

c. Instrument antenna coverage

d. Microwave sources

e. Studies and models

f. Interferometric systems 

g. Polarimetric systems 
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h. Instrument system calibration 

i. Instrument maintenance, upgrades, and field campaign support

E. INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide services for research, design, development, test, and 

analysis of advanced signal processing electronics for space flight systems, including 

support for language-based microelectronics development (VHDL, Verilog):

1. Sensor Signal Processing Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for sensor signal processing technology tasks, including:

a. Systems engineering

b. Digital signal processing electronics development

c. Analog signal processing electronics development

d. Advanced flight hardware

e. Applications unique electronic test equipment

f. Low-level analog signal electronics development

g. Software engineering

h. Flight robotics

i. Analog/Mixed-signal ASIC development

2. Digital Signal Processing Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for digital signal processing technology tasks, including:

a. Microprocessor development

b. Command and data handling functions (e.g, processor, command ingest, 

telemetry outputting, timekeeping, fault detection/correction, analog 

collection, custom I/O interfaces, standardized data buses, data storage)

c. Digital logic design through schematic capture and/or HDL coding

d. Reconfigurable computing system design and implementation

3. Advanced Applications Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for advanced applications technology tasks, including:

a. Data and image compression

b. Data coding

c. High-speed electronics development

d. Packet telemetry development

e. RISC development

f. Proof-of-concept studies

g. Electronic engineering design
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4. Power Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services for 

power systems technology tasks, including:

a. Instrument power system design and analysis

b. Instrument power distribution electronics

F. THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide technology services for the research and development of 

advanced, two-phase thermal control systems, and cryogenic systems for instruments, 

systems, and spacecraft, including:

1. Thermal Control Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

thermal design, fabrication, test, and analysis technology services for thermal 

control systems, including:

a. Engineering design, analysis, fabrication, testing, and analysis for fixed 

and variable conductance heat pipes, diode heat pipes, and phase change 

materials

b. Design, analysis, fabrication, and test of mechanically and capillary 

pumped thermal control systems

c. Systems engineering to define and recommend appropriate enhancements 

to existing thermal control technology

d. Testing facilities and services for testing two-phase heat transfer systems 

containing ammonia and other working fluids

e. Thermal/mechanical capabilities to perform Phase A and Phase B studies 

for proposed flight experiments to demonstrate two phase heat transfer 

technology

f. Thermal/mechanical/electrical/system engineering capabilities to perform

testing on mechanical cryocoolers. This includes the design, fabrication, 

and testing of cryocooler drive electronics and analysis of thermal 

performance test results.

g. Mechanical/electrical/thermal support for on-going flight projects using 

mechanical cryocoolers.

h. Variable emittance thermal control surfaces, alternative materials

i. Supporting the development of thermal flight experiments.

G. POWER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide research, design, development, evaluation, and 

qualification of power system designs and components for space flight applications, 

including:
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1, Power System Architecture Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for power system architecture technology, including:

a. Direct energy transfer

b. Peak power tracker

2. Energy Conversion Devices Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for energy conversion device technology, including:

a. Multi-junction solar cells

b. Thin film solar cells

c. Concentrators

3. Energy Storage Devices Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

services for energy storage device technology, including:

a. Li Ion

b. Flywheel technology

c. Fuel cells

d. Li Polymer

4. Power Electronics Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services for 

power electronics technology, including:

a. Low and High voltage dc-dc converters

b. Microprocessor controlled spacecraft power management and 

distribution

H. GUIDANCE, NAVIGATION AND CONTROL (GN&C) TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide services for the research and development of advanced 

GN&C technology for systems, subsystems, components, devices, and elements for 

spacecraft, balloons, UAV’s, sounding rockets, instruments, systems, and other 

platforms.

1. Advanced GN&C Sensor/Actuator Design – The Contractor shall provide 

hardware systems engineering to design, develop and test sensor/actuator 

hardware and software.
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I. CRYOGENIC AND FLUIDS SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide technology services for developing advanced cryogenic 

and fluid systems to support new NASA missions and applications:

1. Cryogenic and Fluids Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide services, including:

a. Structural and thermal interfaces to mechanical refrigerators

b. Components for an advanced adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator 

c. Cryogenic actuators 

d. Design & develop monopropellant, bi-propellant and cryogenic fluid 

transfer systems for in-space refueling

J. ADVANCED COATING AND FILM TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide technology services for developing advanced coating 

and film technologies to support new NASA missions and applications:

1. Advanced Coating and Film Technology Specific Tasks – The Contractor 

shall provide services, including:

a. Developing, procuring, calibrating, testing, and maintaining new or 

existing coatings and films.

b. Writing and presenting papers documenting the development and 

application of this new technology. 

K. SCIENCE DATA PROCESSING APPLICATIONS & PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY 

SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide technology services formulating and developing 

advanced technology concepts and the advancement of their associated technology 

readiness level (TRL). 
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1. Science Data Processing Technology Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide services, including:

a. Plan and accomplish the infusion of the resulting technology into mission 

or project systems for data processing or the implementation of data 

processing prototypes

b. Design and develop advanced concepts for all aspects of mission including 

hardware, complex electronics, reconfigurable computing, and software 

solutions to meet highly complex mission data processing objectives.

L. Robotic Technology Services

The Contractor shall provide technology services for developing advanced robotic 

systems to support new NASA missions and applications:

1. Robotic Technology Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services, 

including:

a. Design and develop advanced robotic arm end-effectors and satellite 

capture devices

b. Design and develop new robotic tools for in-space servicing

c. Integrate end-effectors, tools, robot arms and avionics with spacecraft bus 

d. Design & develop new robot control avionics 

e. Design and develop vision systems to monitor and illuminate robotic 

worksites

f. Design and develop contact dynamics systems and ground simulations 

systems for in-space robotic operations

Qualified personnel with security clearances at the Top Secret (TS) and/or Top 

Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) and above levels may be 

required for certain contractor positions to support satellite servicing task orders.

M. Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) Services

The Contractor shall provide technology services for developing in-space AR&D 

systems to support new NASA missions and applications:

1. AR&D Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide services, including:

a. Design and develop AR&D systems for in-space servicing

b. Integrate AR&D systems

c. Integrate AR&D systems into spacecraft operations

d. Design and develop advanced ground simulations to support flight 

operations
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The Contractor may be required to work with other NASA Centers and Government 

agencies to accommodate hardware interface and other in-space servicing 

requirements.
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FUNCTION 2 – Pre-Formulation and Formulation Services: Candidate, 

Preliminary Analysis, and Systems Definition Studies

The Contractor shall provide engineering services for mission concept development 

that integrate the aspects of flight systems, ground systems, instrument systems, and 

launch systems. 

The Contractor shall produce pre-formulation and formulation phase study inputs for 

spacecraft, suborbitalcraft, instruments, and ground systems. The contractor shall 

perform hardware and software design and trade-off analyses, as well as develop 

preliminary, relative cost and schedule estimates based on design alternatives, and 

identify and assess high-risk elements in designs.

In general, the Contractor shall:

 Produce pre-formulation and formulation phase study inputs for spacecraft, 

suborbital craft, and instruments. 

 Develop mission needs (mission objectives, measurement concept, and 

instrument concept) and mission design (mission requirements, architectural 

design, and operations concept).

 Develop preliminary, relative cost and schedule estimates based on design 

alternatives, and identify and assess high-risk elements in designs 

 Document the history of design, qualification, flight experience, and 

modifications where existing components or subsystems are to be utilized

 Identify interface requirements for pre-launch, launch, on-orbit servicing, or 

retrieval of flight hardware

 Define interface engineering and management requirements

 Prepare mission systems and operations documentation

 Prepare requirements and specification packages that conform to applicable 

standards defined within Task Order statement

 Identify interfaces and prepare interface control documents

 Provide technical inputs for problem-solving and/or design inputs in selected 

spacecraft, instruments, suborbital craft, ground system, and data disciplines

 Analyze various reports (i.e., progress reports) delivered by the GSFC mission 

contractor(s) and provide recommendations to the project
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 Provide liaison and coordination services for project activities

 Provide design services that include performance of preliminary design 

(leading to a Preliminary Design Review) of the subsystems, components, and 

assemblies that comprise the instrument/spacecraft/platform/launch system.

A. CANDIDATE STUDY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide study services for the conceptual design and 

development of subsystems and systems, thereby participating in the identification of 

scientific objectives, mission requirements and technical concepts. Study products 

produced during this phase shall include, but not limited to:

 Strategic technology planning

 Integration of joint missions, partnerships, and other collaborative efforts

 Research/science/technology/cost trade studies 

 Candidate operations concepts 

 Candidate system architectures

 Cost, schedule, and risk estimates

 Research and technology unique to system development

 Customer development support and outreach

B. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS STUDY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide preliminary analysis study services focusing on 

analyzing mission requirements and establishing mission architectures in order to 

demonstrate that a credible, feasible design(s) exist(s). The Contractor shall develop 

top-level requirements and evaluation criteria, identify alternative operations/logistics 

concepts, and identify project constraints and system boundaries. Study products 

produced during this phase shall include, but not limited to: 

1. Analysis Services Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall perform 

analysis services Task Orders, including but not limited to:

a. Preliminary system design of a feasible, but not necessarily optimum 

configuration

b. Assessment of technical risks, including identification of technical 

problems and 
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the criticality of their solution to follow-on efforts, identification of those 

problems currently being addressed, and a judgment of effort and time 

likely to be necessary to find a practical solution 

c. Identification of all recommended systems characteristics, including 

launch and control capability, tracking and data acquisition, facility 

considerations, and institutional base activities

d. Implementation plans, which include the identification of all major 

systems and subsystems

e. Preparation of the system design that forms the basis for implementing 

system development (hardware or software)

f. Provide alternative design concepts including feasibility and risk studies, 

cost and schedule estimates, and advanced technology requirements

g. Prepare for and support the appropriate Phase A project and technical 

reviews and prepare Phase A project documentation as appropriate (see 

the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, SP-6105, December 2007)

2. Documentation Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall document all 

results from the study in a Feasibility Study Report.

C. SYSTEM DEFINITION STUDY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide system definition and preliminary design study services 

to establish (and evolve) the project baseline(s). These shall include:

1. Analysis Services Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall perform 

system definition analysis services specific Task Orders, including: 

a. Defining system requirements, system budgets (e.g., mass, power, 

memory), error budgets, system/subsystem requirements, software 

requirements, ground support equipment requirements, and integration and 

test requirements

b. Identifying all recommended system characteristics, defining the 

subsystem components and assemblies, identifying the required 

complement of flight and ground support equipment, specifying internal 

and external interfaces, and verifying that the recommended design 

approach’s critical subsystems and components are within the state-of-theart

c. Providing a formal flow down of project-level performance requirements 

to a complete set of system and subsystem design specifications for both 

flight and ground elements. Phase B baseline information shall be 

developed including system requirements and verification requirements 

matrices, system architecture and work breakdown structures, operations 
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concepts, “design-to” specifications at all levels, and project plans 

including schedule, resources, and acquisition strategies

d. Performing risk assessments of all critical elements, describing the risks 

and control methods. The knowledge and use of Probability Risk 

Assessment (PRA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and 

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is required.

e. Preparing the system design that shall form the basis for 

implementing/developing the system (hardware or software); defining the 

tasks and sequence of tasks that shall be performed to provide orderly 

technical development, design, review, interface, test, and integration of 

the system; and providing the required plans (modeling, analysis, and 

simulation; configuration; logistics; information; software; verification; 

integration and test, etc.) for the effort

f. Describing and documenting integrated mission architecture

g. Preparing for and supporting the appropriate Phase B project and technical 

reviews and prepare Phase B project documentation as appropriate (see the 

NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, SP-6105, December 2007).

2. Documentation Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall document all 

results from the study effort in a Definition Study Report.
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FUNCTION 3 – Implementation Phase Services

The Contractor shall provide services to design, develop, fabricate/code, assemble, 

unit test, system integrate, verify, integrate, deploy, and operate hardware and 

software on spacecraft, platform, and/or payload as defined by this Statement of 

Work. The implementation phase services shall include:

A. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Contractor shall provide management services, including establishment of a 

management organization that ensures that all the issued task objectives are 

accomplished within specified schedule and cost constraints. Management shall 

provide frequent and timely status to the Government via cost, schedule, progress and 

other reports during all phases of work.

B. MISSION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

The Contractor shall provide systems engineering support for project development, 

reporting progress and conformance to appropriate practices and specifications (see 

the GPR 7123.1 Systems Engineering). The Contractor shall perform key mission 

and spacecraft-level systems engineering functions that include, but are not limited to:

1. Operations Concept Development & Support:

 

a. Developing the operations concept

b. Preparing/reviewing mission operations concepts in regards to the 

intended functionality and interfaces among the flight subsystems 

and the ground

c. Generating Mission Operations Concept Documents (ConOps)

d. Participating in user interface meetings and joint integrated 

mission simulation training aimed at developing viable user 

operations

e. Supporting satellite operations

f. Analyzing flight anomalies and recommending implementing 

appropriate actions

g. Working with principal investigator and science working group in 

planning operations

h. Supporting “lessons learned” presentations

i. Preparing plans for and supporting mission disposal operations
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2. Architecture & Design Development:

a. Defining systems and conducting trade-off studies/design studies for 

spacecraft, suborbital craft, instruments, space segments and ground 

segments

b. Reviewing software development and software system test 

activities

c. Generating and maintaining and/or reviewing system block 

diagrams

3. Requirements Analysis, Identification and Management:

a. Generating and managing and/or reviewing Level 1 and 2 

requirements

b. Conducting requirements traceability

c. Documenting specified and lower level derived requirements to 

demonstrate that performance requirements are met

d. Reviewing/performing independent design and development 

requirements analyses, and submitting comments and 

recommendations

e. Reviewing technical specifications, and submitting comments and 

recommendations

f. Providing specification of Requirements for Design, non-flight 

fabrication, and checkout of ground support equipment

g. Reviewing contamination control requirements

h. Reviewing operating plans and procedures for cryogenics, fuels, 

and other hazardous materials

4. Verification and Validation:

a. Generating and/or reviewing Verification Plans

b. Performing design, drawing, and specification reviews

c. Providing comments and/or recommendations to ensure: 1) that 

designs meet specification and interface requirements, 2) that 

appropriate parts standards are compatible with specified mission 

requirements and risk levels, 3) that detailed specifications are 

compatible with mission requirements, including margin and error 

budgets, 4) and that proper consideration is given to cost, 

reliability, safety, non-flight fabrication requirements, 

contamination control, magnetic materials/interference, launch 

requirements, and space environmental requirements. 

d. Documentation and/or review of system qualification requirements

e. Preparing and/or reviewing hardware and software integration 

plans and procedures, and witnessing execution
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f. Preparing and/or reviewing detailed functional and environmental 

test plans and procedures, and witnessing test execution

g. Ensuring that the technical aspects of shipping requirements and 

equipment are met 

h. Preparing and/or reviewing plans for launch site checkout, 

integration and testing of flight systems, including adequacy of the 

launch site facility

i. Analyzing data from spacecraft telemetry data sources to ensure 

total system compatibility

j. Analyzing Flight performance from flight data 

5. Interfaces and Interface Control Documents (ICDs):

a. Reviewing and analyzing design interfaces

b. Identifying interface control requirements for engineering and design of 

components for launch, on orbit servicing, or retrieval of flight hardware

c. Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing interface documentation for mission 

systems

d. Preparing interface control documents and verifying proper implementation 

for flight and ground subsystems and systems

e. Controlling external interface documentation and requirements

6. Mission Environments:

a. Defining and/or reviewing subsystem and hardware specifications to 

ensure that they meet the specific mission or spacecraft environment

7. Technical Resource Budget Tracking:

a. Documenting and controlling and/or Review of budget plans, including 

power, thermal, data storage, computer processing and communication 

through-put , attitude control, timing, mass properties, command and 

telemetry signal margin and bit error rates etc., both at the flight system 

level and allocated to lower levels of assembly

b. Error margins

8. Risk Analysis, Reduction, and Management:

a. Identifying high risk elements and developing/executing 

contingency plans for controlling the high risk elements

b. Reviewing contractor risk management plans and commenting on 

alternate approaches
20

9. System Milestone Review Candidates:

a. Conducting and documenting internal design reviews

b. Supporting standards definition and review

c. Attending and conducting technical meetings/design reviews, and 

submitting comments and recommendations

d. Preparing and presenting of technical information for technical 

conferences/reviews/briefings

10. Configuration Management and Documentation:

a. Analyzing configuration, design, anomaly resolutions, and procedural 

changes submitted to change control boards

11. Systems Engineering Management Plan:

a. Generating System Engineering Management Plans (SEMP).

b. Documenting/reviewing system, subsystem and organizational 

processes in terms of ISO compliance, NASA Standards as well as 

GSFC GOLD Rules. 

c. Developing or reviewing existing systems engineering tools for 

applicability as required.

d. Review of Fabrication Plans.

C. INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

The Contractor shall provide instrument systems engineering support for project 

development reporting progress and conformance to appropriate practices and 

specifications (see the GPR 7123.1 Systems Engineering).

The Contractor shall perform key Instrument systems engineering functions that include,

but not limited to the following:

1. Instrument Data Processing Development & Support:

a. Developing the instrument data processing concept

b. Developing hardware and software designs for the Instrument Data Processing 

Center.

c. Performing Systems analysis of Instrument Data Processing Center to 

verify performance.

d. Developing Instrument operations concept.

e. Supporting instrument operations.
21

f. Analyzing flight anomalies and recommending implementing 

appropriate actions.

g. Working with principal investigator and science working group in 

planning operations.

h. Supporting “lessons learned” presentations post-launch.

2. Instrument Architecture & Design Development:

a. Defining systems and conducting trade-off studies/design studies for 

instruments, space segments and ground segments.

b. Developing Instrument Architecture.

c. Reviewing subsystem development and test activities.

d. Generating and maintaining and/or reviewing system block diagrams.

e. Characterization of the technology readiness level for all candidate 

technologies.

3. Requirements Analysis, Identification and Management:

a. Generating and managing and/or reviewing Level 1 and 2 

requirements.

b. Conducting requirements traceability.

c. Documenting specified and lower level derived requirements to 

demonstrate that performance requirements are met.

d. Reviewing/performing independent design and development 

requirements analyses, and submitting comments and 

recommendations.

e. Reviewing technical specifications, and submitting comments and 

recommendations.

f. Providing specification of Requirements for Design, non-flight 

fabrication, and checkout of ground support equipment.

g. Reviewing contamination control requirements.

h. Reviewing operating plans and procedures for cryogenics, and other 

hazardous materials.

4. Verification and Validation:

a. Generating and/or reviewing Verification Plans.

b. Performing design, drawing, and specification reviews.

c. Providing comments and/or recommendations to ensure: 1) that 

designs meet specification and interface requirements, 2) that 

appropriate parts standards are compatible with specified mission 

requirements and risk levels, 3) that detailed specifications are 

compatible with mission requirements, including margin and error 

budgets, 4) and that proper consideration is given to cost, reliability, 

safety, non-flight fabrication requirements, contamination control, 
22

magnetic materials/interference, launch requirements, and space 

environmental requirements. 

d. Documentation and/or review of system qualification requirements.

e. Preparing and/or reviewing hardware and software integration plans 

and procedures, and witnessing execution.

f. Preparing and/or reviewing detailed functional and environmental test 

plans and procedures, and witnessing test execution.

g. Ensuring that the technical aspects of shipping requirements and 

equipment are met.

h. Preparing and/or reviewing plans for launch site checkout, integration 

and testing of flight systems, including adequacy of the launch site 

facility.

i. Analyzing data from spacecraft telemetry data sources to ensure total 

system compatibility.

j. Analyzing Flight performance from flight data.

5. Interfaces and ICDs:

a. Reviewing and analyzing design interfaces.

b. Identifying interface control requirements for engineering and design of 

hardware for launch, on-orbit servicing, or retrieval of flight hardware.

c. Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing interface documentation for Instrument 

systems.

d. Preparing interface control documents and verifying proper implementation for 

flight 

e. and ground Instrument subsystems and systems.

f. Controlling external interface documentation and requirements

6. Instrument Environments

a. Defining and/or reviewing subsystem and hardware specifications to ensure 

specific instrument environment is met. Instrument environment includes (but 

not limited to) the discipline areas such as Mechanical, Electrical, EMI/EMC, 

Grounding, Thermal, Radiation, Parts engineering, Contamination, Reliability, 

Charging, Timing, time distribution, Data rates and Safety.

7. Technical Resource Budget Tracking:

a. Documenting and controlling and/or Review of budget plans, including 

power, thermal, data storage, computer processing and communication 

through-put , timing, mass properties, command and telemetry, signal margin 

plan, including bit error rates etc., both at the flight system level and allocated 

to lower levels of assembly.
23

8. Risk Analysis, Reduction, and Management:

a. Identifying high risk elements and developing/executing contingency 

plans for controlling the high risk elements

b. Reviewing contractor risk management plans and commenting on 

alternate approaches

9. Instrument System Milestone Review Candidates:

a. Conducting and documenting internal design reviews

b. Supporting standards definition and review

c. Attending and conducting technical meetings/design reviews, and 

submitting comments and recommendations

d. Preparing and presenting of technical information for technical 

conferences/reviews/briefing

10. Configuration Management and Documentation:

a. Analyzing configuration, design, and procedural changes submitted to change 

control boards

11. Instrument Systems Engineering Management Plan:

a. Generating Instrument System Engineering Management Plans 

(SEMP).

b. Documenting/reviewing system, subsystem and organizational 

processes in terms of ISO compliance, NASA Standards as well as 

GSFC GOLD Rules. 

c. Developing or reviewing existing systems engineering tools for 

applicability as required.

D. SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, STUDIES, ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT

The Contractor shall perform Software Systems engineering, studies and 

analysis for requirements definition, operations concept definition, systems 

engineering, trade studies, and system definition in support of efforts in the 

formulation, implementation, and/or operations phases for Flight, Ground, and 

Science Data Systems. The contractor’s duties may include end-to-end systems 

engineering activities that relate to requirements and architecture development, 

design, verification and validation approaches, risk analysis, safety 

assessments, integration, and test support. The activities span the entire 

mission development life cycle from advanced concepts through launch and 

mission operations.
24

1. Requirements Generation:

a. perform software systems engineering, studies and analysis for 

requirements definition, operations concept definition, systems 

engineering, trade studies, and system definition in support of efforts 

in the formulation, implementation, and/or operations phases for 

Flight, Ground, and Science Data Systems with applicable 

documentation. 

2. Documentation, Traceability, & Compliance: 

a. produce specific documentation and evidence in accordance with the 

requirements defined within the NASA software requirement NPR7150.2, “NASA Software Engineering Requirements”.

b. perform an analysis of the project’s software with respect to 

compliance to the NASA Software Safety Standard, NASA-STD8719.13. 

c. Identify safety critical software components, evaluation of 

requirements compliance for safety critical software and verification 

and validation approaches for safety critical items. 

d. Coordinate with personnel in other GSFC organizations responsible

for safety oversight of flight and ground software systems. 

3. Software Review Process

a. participate in various reviews including system and subsystem 

documentation reviews and provide comments/inputs of the 

documents that are reviewed. 

b. Support government staff on various review panels responsible for 

review and submittal of comments to the chair of the panels, and if 

requested code analysis.

4. Support Services

The contractor may perform engineering services to provide a diverse 

variety of services and tools to maintain and manage the secure 

Information Technology (IT) environment supporting research, 

engineering, and administrative information requirements. The contractor 

may develop and maintain testbed and operational labs in support of flight, 

ground, and science software based activities. 

The contractor may also be required to support the design, development, 

test and deployment of web-based collaborative and knowledge 

management systems, Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) 

compliance and improvement support, and network design and 
25

performance studies. The contractor may also support the prototyping, 

design, and implementation of collaborative computing environments.

The contractor may also provide configuration management support for all 

software systems and system administration activities. The contractor 

may support configuration management of:

 Flight Software

 Ground Software

 Simulation Software

 Testbed hardware and software

 Ground and Flight databases

The contractor may provide systems administration including backups, 

new product installation, platform maintenance, etc. for the following: 

 Flight software development and maintenance facilities

 Ground software development and maintenance facilities

 Simulation software development and maintenance facilities

 Testbed hardware and software development and maintenance 

facilities

a. Software Process Improvement Support

The contractor may provide support in developing and maintaining the 

CMMI Process Assets and Tool Library for GSFC and NASA, 

deploying process assets and tools through mentoring and software 

training programs, and implementing the Division measurement 

program.

b. Network Engineering Support

The contractor may provide network engineering support. The 

contractor may research, design, develop, test, evaluate, integrate, 

validate, and demonstrate information assurance solutions for end-toend mission/project networks. Areas of investigation include network 

security, scheduling, cryptographic modernization and key 

management, and cross domain solutions to meet the demands of 

network centricity and to resolve issues regarding current technology 

and capability shortfalls.

c. Software Engineering Support for Application Development

The Contractor may provide engineering studies and analysis for 

requirements definition, operations concept definition, systems 

engineering, trade studies, and system definition in support of efforts 

focused on developing web services for mission systems traditionally 

not web based. The Contractor may provide support to develop 

prototypes and demonstrate solutions to meet capability needs, 
26

ensuring the necessary IT security and usability constraints and 

requirements are met.

5. System Deployment

The contractor may deploy systems for missions. This work may include 

closely coordinating with the flight projects or other government 

organizations to identify requirements, perform trade studies, 

configure/enhance existing systems, delivery, integration, testing, 

documentation and training. 

E. MULTIDISCIPLINARY ANALYSES SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide analytical and detailed design support that includes 

multi-disciplinary system analyses and trade studies involving, but not limited to, 

mechanical, thermal, optics (including radiometrics and stray light), contamination, 

control, guidance, navigation, detector, electrical, electronic, and software aspects of 

flight and ground systems, including associated ground support equipment. Services 

shall include the definition, development and use of models and simulations to study 

and quantify system performance and to conduct system trade studies. This includes, 

but is not limited to, such specific efforts as electromagnetic 

interference/electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) analysis, environmental 

testing, magnetics testing, thermal vacuum testing, systems performance error 

budgets, power and weight budgeting and tracking, microphonics analyses, fracture 

control analyses, microwave communication system analyses (including link margin 

availability), controls-structures analyses, control-structural-thermal-optical analyses, 

instrument system analyses (including system sensitivities), computer performance 

analyses (including CPU, memory, simulations, etc), and systems reviews of selected 

critical subsystems. Services shall also include the development of measurement 

tools and models, analysis of measurement data, defect tracking, process 

improvement, cost estimation of hardware and software systems, modeling of 

organizational processes, electrical parts analyses, printed wiring board layouts, 

thermal analysis, printed-wiring board fabrication, mechanical enclosure design, and 

technical writing documentation.

F. DETAILED DESIGN SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide design services that include performance of detailed 

(leading to a Critical Design Review) design of the subsystems, components and 

assemblies that comprise the instrument/spacecraft/platform. This effort includes 
27

hardware and software (flight and ground) as well as ground support equipment 

(electrical, thermal, contamination, mechanical, and cryogenic). Documentation, 

including technical reports, drawings, schematics, design database files, analyses, 

block diagrams, layouts, parts and materials list, and equipment lists, shall be 

provided. The Contractor shall document all results from the modeling, simulations, 

analyses, and design effort and shall provide supporting materials and documentation.

Specific tasks shall include:

1. Optical Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide optical design 

services, including the design, development and analysis of the following:

a. Geometric optical design

b. Diffraction analysis

c. Tolerancing of components

d. Gaussian beam analysis

e. Interferometry

f. Radiometry

g. Stray light/energy analysis

h. Alignment and calibration

i. Optical communications systems design

2. Mechanical Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide mechanical design 

services, including the design, development and analysis of the following:

a. Assembly and subassembly hardware to house flight components

b. Mechanisms and electromechanical assemblies

c. Component mount design

d. Structure

e. Ground support and bench test equipment

f. Analytical studies, including structural analyses (stress, dynamics, 

thermal, deformation, jitter, etc.); mechanical alignment; interfaces; 

fracture control; controls analysis; mechanism dynamics; composite 

material/structure dimensional stability; load analyses, including 

Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) and Space Transportation System 

(STS) launch, on-orbit, and landing

g. Associated instrumentation and control systems

h. Mechanical analysis of large instrument antenna structures including 

interferometric systems

i. Finite element model analysis

j. Flight loads analysis

k. On-orbit loads analysis

l. Stress analysis

m. Dynamic analysis

n. Fracture control 

o. Mechanical design and drawing production/verification 
28

3. Electromechanical Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

electromechanical design services, including the design, development and 

analysis of the following:

a. concept trades, concept design, and detailed design of electromechanical 

systems and their components

b. Fabrication, assembly, and testing services, including life testing

c. magnetic bearings, active/smart structures, vibration isolation, and large 

aperture, lightweight systems

d. analyses using CAD and simulation tools utilizing hardware and software 

compatible with those used by the MSD

e. set-up and operate electronic design and test equipment compatible with 

equipment used by the MSD

f. design, analysis, selection, implementation, and testing of bearings, flexpivots, and flexures

g. robotics

h. micro electromechanical systems (MEMS)

i. micro-miniaturization of mechanisms, or sub-assemblies of conventional 

mechanisms

j. small scale structures, materials, fabrication techniques, packaging, 

photolithography, lithography electroforming and molding (LIGA in 

German), interfacing with macro-components, micro-actuators, focused 

ion-beam milling and welding, and coatings and tribology issues

k. SISO and MIMO controllers 

4. Thermal Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide thermal design 

services, including the design, development and analysis of the following:

a. Thermal system design, active and passive

b. Component/subassembly/assembly cooling, including electronics and 

detectors

c. Cryogenic design, including detectors, optics, and mechanisms

d. Advanced thermal control systems

e. Associated instrumentation and control systems

f. Thermal analyses compatible with Systems Improved Numerical 

Differencing Analyzer (SINDA), Thermal Radiation Analyzer System 

(TRASYS), Thermal Synthesizer Systems (TSS), Finite Element 

Modeling and Post-processing (FEMAP/TCON), Simplified Space 

Payload Thermal Analyzer (SSPTA), Thermal Desktop, or Thermal Model 

Generator (TMG) software packages

g. Cryogenic GSE thermal analysis and design, including dewar system
29

h. Thermal laboratory support

i. Thermal vacuum test support

5. Detector Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide engineering services 

for state-of-the-art detection systems requiring low noise levels and 

calibrations traceable to physical standards including the design, development, 

test, and analysis of the following systems:

a. RF

 b. Submillimeter wave

c. Microwave

d. Millimeter wave

e. Infrared

f. Visible

g. X-ray

h. Gamma-ray

i. Neutral and charged particle detection

j. MEMS

k. Nanotechnology

6. Electrical/Electronics Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

electrical/electronic design services, including the design, development, 

documentation, analysis, review, verification, integration and test of the 

following:

a. Flight electronic subsystems

b. Command and data handling systems

c. Flight and ground data systems

d. Low noise electronics

e. Digital and microprocessor based designs

f. Analog control circuits

g. Control systems

h. Low voltage systems

i. High voltage systems

j. Power supplies with programmable voltage and current outputs

k. Electromagnetic field analysis

l. Electromagnetic compatibility and interference (EMC/EMI)

m. Test circuitry and equipment, including interface to computer-based 

systems

n. Bench test equipment

o. Electrical ground support equipment

p. High speed electronics
30

q. Communication electronics

r. Microcontroller based systems and embedded systems

s. Flight and test harnesses (conventional wire and fiber optic)

t. Breakout boxes

u. Pyrotechnics

v. Simulators

w. FPGA-based reconfigurable computing systems

x. Analog and mixed-signal ASIC devices

y. Programmable logic devices (FPGA and ASIC devices)

In addition, analyses includes, but is not limited to, Worst-case analysis, Parts 

Stress analysis, reliability analysis, thermal analysis, structural analysis, signal 

integrity analysis and performance/throughput analysis. Peer design reviews 

shall be an integral part of the overall development cycle. Test support 

includes shift support for environmental tests (thermal-vacuum, EMI, 

vibration, etc)

7. Flight Software (FSW) Systems

The Contractor shall support the planning, formulating, designing, developing, 

testing, and sustaining engineering of flight software systems for instruments 

and spacecraft associated with in-house GSFC projects and other multi-center 

commitments in accordance with established organizational compliance of 

procedures and policies such as NPR 7150.2. The Contractor shall manage, 

refine, and extend the flight software infrastructure, products, plans, and 

processes related to new flight software developments, flight software reuse 

libraries, flight software configuration management systems, flight software 

test, verification and validation systems, and flight software lessons learned 

databases. The contractor may develop simulation capabilities for all aspects of 

the flight software including, dynamic simulation, command and data handling 

simulation and science data simulation. 

a. Flight Software Engineering

b. Flight Software Development

c. Flight Software Verification and Validation

d. Flight Software Maintenance and On-orbit Sustaining Engineering

e. Flight Software High Fidelity Testbeds and Simulations

f. Flight Software Infrastructure/Support

g. Flight Software Technology Development
31

8. Ground Software and Systems

The Contractor shall perform new or ongoing development and sustaining 

engineering of ground software and data systems. Contractor activities may 

include participation as a part of a mission’s or project’s ground system 

development team. Ground systems development includes software design, 

development, test, and deployment, and associated hardware integration, test, 

and delivery. The software may include commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), 

government off-the-shelf (GOTS), new development, or some combination of 

the aforementioned. The Contractor may perform hardware systems and 

associated material procurement/inventory management. The procured 

hardware systems shall comply with established NASA safety protocols 

including at least Hazardous Material Management and Electrostatic Discharge 

(ESD).

a. Ground Software Architectures 

b. Ground Software Development 

c. Ground Software Sustaining Engineering

9. Flight Software System Verification, and Validation

The Contractor shall support flight mission operations including build 

verification testing, system validation testing, and flight software and flight 

operations test tools development for the mission. 

Validation and Verification Functional Areas:

a. utilize flight software test-beds and simulators required for verification 

and validation of flight and ground software related products. 

b. support mission readiness testing to include communication and 

functional test of the mission ground system, ground station interfaces, 

and end-to-end testing of the communication path from the spacecraft 

to the ground and/or science operations systems. 

c. generate and/or review Verification Plans

d. support the design, drawing, and specification reviews

e. prepare documentation and/or review of system qualification 

requirements

f. prepare and/or review hardware and software integration plans and 

procedures, and witnessing execution. 

g. prepare and/or review detailed functional and environmental test plans 

and procedures, and witness test execution. 

h. prepare and/or review plans for launch site checkout, integration and 

testing of flight systems, including adequacy of the launch site facility. 

i. Analyze data from spacecraft telemetry data sources to ensure total 

system compatibility. 
32

j. Analyze flight performance from flight data.

10. Software Science System Development

The contractor shall provide science data system engineering, software system 

engineering and software engineering services to design, develop and deploy 

science systems and applications for science operations, data processing, data 

management, and data analysis and visualization. Data system engineering may 

include problem definition, solution analysis, process planning and control, 

system documentation development and maintenance, system integration, and 

product evaluation. Software system engineering may include requirements 

definition and analysis, software design, process planning and control, software 

documentation development and maintenance, verification, validation and test, 

and software integration. Software engineering may include detailed software 

design, implementation, and unit testing. The science system software may 

include COTS, GOTS, new development, legacy code, or some combination of 

the aforementioned. Science systems development may include hardware 

definition, integration, test and deployment. The contractor may provide 

science operations support for ongoing missions. 

a. Science Data Systems Engineering

b. Science Operations Systems

c. Science Data Processing Systems

d. Science Data Management Systems

e. Science Data Analysis and Visualization Applications

11. Power Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide power design services, 

including the design, development, and analysis:

a. Power system design and analysis tools for energy balance and regulation

b. Spacecraft power management and distribution electronics

c. Photovoltaic energy conversion cells, arrays, and associated ground testing

d. Electrochemical energy storage cells, batteries, and associated destructive 

physical analysis and ground testing

e. Payload and instrument low and high voltage power conditioning 

electronics (converters, filters, regulators)

12. Radiation Effects and Analysis (REA) Specific Tasks – The Contractor 

shall provide radiation services for the design, development, testing, and 

analysis of EEE components, including:
33

a. Space radiation environmental analysis and specification including nuclear 

interaction simulations

b. Design and development of test plans and test suite hardware and software 

to support research and flight project efforts

c. Documentation of radiation test techniques and research results

d. Determination of mission-specific system level impact of radiation test 

results and evaluate mission radiation risk assessment

e. Screening of parts list for radiation vulnerable devices

f. Dissemination of radiation effects research results via paper and 

presentations

g. Curator capabilities for maintenance and upgrade of the Radiation and 

Analysis (REA) WEB site

h. Database development and management of the REA radiation effects test 

data

i. General REA services in the area of graphics, schedules, and reporting 

requirements

j. Development of user interface software for REA-developed environment 

models

k. Instrument calibration

l. Operation and maintenance of GSFC’s radiation facility

m. Design and fabrication of radiation flight experiments and providing 

services to support data analysis

n. Analysis of in-flight data on experimental and operational systems to 

determine system performance in radiation environment

o. Analysis of instrument data to support space environment modeling

p. Analysis Performance of tests at established radiation test facilities 

(requires travel)

13.Component Technologies Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

component technology specific services for design, development, and 

analysis, including:

a. Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) of complex integrated circuits 

employing Finite Element Analysis, Scanning Acoustic Microscope, XRay, and thermal analyses

b. Analysis of novel microelectronic materials

c. Environmental analysis of active and passive fiber optic components

d. Microelectronic assembly, including ASICs and custom hybrids

e. Lightweight, low-power transmitters and receivers for active and passive 

microwave instrument system

14. Environmental Testing Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

environmental test services for design, development, and analysis, including:

a. Vibration
34

b. Acoustic

c. E-M

d. EMI

e. EMC

f. Thermal

g. Vacuum

15. RF Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide RF design services, 

including the design, development and analysis of the following:

a. RF Component design

b. Communications systems design

c. Communications systems component design

d. RF Modulator design (BPSK, QPSK, 64QAM, CDMA, 8PSK etc.)

e. Antenna Design L - Ka bands

f. Phased Array antenna design

g. Solid State Power Amplifier Design S to Ka bands

h. Transponder design S to Ka bands

i. Millimeter wave systems instrument and components design (50 –300 

GHz)

In addition, the Contractor shall provide independent systems engineering 

analysis and evaluation in support of customer mission-related activities as 

well as analysis and support of new capabilities considered for inclusion into 

the NASA Space Network (SN) and Ground Network (GN) as well as Global 

Positioning Satellite (GPS) Navigation. This also includes RF 

communications systems engineering support to independently evaluate and 

assess current space and ground network capabilities, system improvements, 

and new services to meet future mission needs. Additionally, this effort may 

include performing SN analyses for current space elements (TDRS Flight-1 

through Flight-10 and TDRS K,L,M & N) including the ability for modeling 

of multiple access interference signals and the corresponding current ground 

elements at the White Sands Complex (WSC), Guam Remote Ground 

Terminal, and Space Network Expansion (SNE) Terminals. This effort may 

encompass analysis related to the Ground Network assets that are used for 

mission support to include analysis for other networks and commercial ground 

stations. Maintenance & development of analytical tools to perform the 

required analysis and associated data bases to support the analysis are 

included in this effort. This effort supports standards and protocol activities. 

Maintenance & extension of Space and Ground Network Users Guides are 

also encompassed in this effort. This effort includes the development and 

review of RF Interface Control Documents as well as technical reports on 

special studies. Analysis of new modulation schemes and transmission 

techniques including lasers are additionally covered under this effort activity 

including the ability to perform analysis of atmospheric effects of higher 
35

communication frequency bands (e.g. 37 GHz). Ability to perform dynamic 

analyses for S/C & launch vehicles which requires expert knowledge of 

trajectories, orbital mechanics & the 3-dimension modeling S/C to enable S/C 

& ELV antenna design to be compatible with the SN & GN.

Qualified personnel with security clearances at least a DoD SECRET level, 

and in some cases higher (as defined in the specific Task Order), may be 

required by the Contractor to support certain efforts. In addition, some 

projects require the involved staff to hold Sensitive Compartmented 

Information (SCI) clearances based on current single-scope background 

investigations. Some special projects must be accomplished in a Sensitive 

Compartmented Information (SCI) facility and the ability to access to an SCI 

facility and material is required. All contractor staff providing support to 

these special projects must obtain and maintain SCI clearances. The 

contractor must also comply with applicable NASA, DoD, National Industrial 

Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and Director of Central 

Intelligence Directives (DCIDs) security regulations.

16. GN&C Component & Hardware Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

perform specific GN&C component and hardware systems engineering tasks, 

including:

1. GN&C Systems Engineering Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall 

perform specific GN&C systems engineering tasks that include:

a. Flight Project GN&C Subsystem Engineering, including requirements 

development; analysis; trade studies; ICD development; verification 

and validation; risk management; general coordination of all GN&C 

elements; maintenance of mass, power, and pointing budgets; 

operations planning

b. GN&C Conceptual Design, Modeling and Simulation 

c. GN&C Science and Instrument Interface Engineering

d. Spacecraft Reentry Systems Engineering

e. Re-entry Debris Analysis, Modeling and Simulation 

f. GN&C Engineering Support to Integrated Mission Design Center 

(IMDC) 

g. Advanced GN&C Systems Technology Development, including the 

design, analysis, non-flight fabrication, assembly, and test of hardware 

and/or software

h. Advanced GN&C Testbeds, Tools and Methods Development 

i. Balloon, UAV and Sounding Rocket GN&C Engineering

j. Formation Flying Test Bed (FFTB) Design and Development 

k. Rendezvous Proximity Operations, Docking, Undocking (RPODU) 

Systems 
36

l. Autonomous Rendezvous & Capture (AR&C) Systems 

m. Pose Estimation Systems

n. Technical Consultation and Support (Proposals, Peer, Design, and 

Anomaly Reviews)

2. GN&C Analysis & Simulation Specific Task Orders – The Contractor 

may be called upon to perform specific GN&C analysis and simulation 

engineering tasks that include: 

a. Attitude Design, Analysis and Simulation

b. Attitude Control Design, Analysis and Simulation

c. Space and Launch Vehicle Dynamics Analysis and Simulation

d. Control/Structure Interaction Analysis and Simulation 

e. Attitude Estimation Design, Analysis and Simulation

f. Aerodynamics Design, Analysis and Simulation

g. Formation Flying/Constellation Design, Analysis and Simulation

3. Component and Hardware Systems Engineering Specific Task Orders –

The Contractor shall perform specific GN&C component and hardware 

systems engineering tasks that include:

a. Advanced GN&C Sensor/Actuator Design, Development, and Test 

(hardware and/or software)

4. Test Bed & Simulator Design/ Development Services

The Contractor shall provide engineering services for the design, 

development, validation, implementation, certification and maintenance of 

ground or on-board computer system simulators/emulators, including 

validation of flight system software for ascent, transfer, or on-orbit phases 

and near real-time reprogramming and validation of modifications for 

recovery from anomalous situations.

5. Propulsion Engineering Specific Task Orders – The Contractor shall 

perform specific spacecraft propulsion systems engineering tasks that 

include:

a. Spacecraft Propulsion Subsystem Engineering 

b. Advanced Propulsion Technology Development, including advanced 

chemical propulsion, electrical propulsion (EP), Micro-ElectricalMechanical Systems (MEMS), micro-propulsion components; test 

equipment and instrumentation to support development & testing of 

sub-microN thrusters 

c. Fluid Systems Engineering including transient flow, vapor diffusion, 

fluid slosh and plume impingement analyses
37

d. Power & Electric Propulsion System Engineering, including low thrust 

trajectory design; EP system design & trades; EMI testing, analysis 

and mitigation 

e. Nanocalorimetry

f. Propulsion Chemical Analyses

g. Propulsion GSE Design and Development 

h. Propulsion System Engineering Support to IMDC and advanced 

mission studies

h. Propulsion System Engineering Support to Flight Project, including 

technical consultations and engineering support for design reviews, 

analyses, proposal development, and anomaly resolution. Data 

Acquisition Engineer, including software and hardware design, 

development and test.

i. Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Support specific to propulsion 

system design and analysis.

6. Propulsion System Technician Specific Task Orders - The Contractor shall 

perform specific spacecraft propulsion system technician tasks that include: 

a. Mechanical Technician tasks for the fabrication, assembly, integration 

and test of propulsion subsystems, including subsystem manifold 

fabrication, precision cleaning, certified welding, integration of 

propulsion subsystem components, and clean room operation

b. Electrical Technician tasks for the fabrication, assembly, integration 

and test of propulsion subsystems, including certified soldering, 

crimping, staking, harness fabrication, electrical component test and 

integration.

c. Advanced Propulsion Technology Development Technician tasks, 

including conducting micro-Newton thrust stand tests; vacuum system 

assembly, maintenance and operation; chemical handling; fluid system 

assembly and operation.

G. FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY AND TESTING SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide flight (including protoflight), and non-flight (including 

prototype) hardware fabrication and assembly support for spacecraft primary 

structure, secondary structure, instrument structures, mechanical subassemblies, 

components, mechanisms, electronics assemblies, electromechanical devices, thermal 

control devices and subsystems, and thermal flight experiments. All fabrication and 

assembly support shall be in accordance with the workmanship requirements of 

NASA-STD-8739.3 thru 8739.5 and IPC 6011, 6012, 6013, 6015, 6016, and 6018, as 
38

well as all subsequent updates to these documents. All fasteners used in assembling or 

installation shall conform to GPG 541-PG-8072.1.2, GSFC fastener integrity plan. 

Also provide support to fabricate mechanical ground support equipment, special test 

and evaluation equipment (including electronic equipment) necessary to support the 

operation of all mechanical hardware. In situations where hardware fabrication is 

required in a quick reaction mode and the contractor decides to perform the task 

under subcontract, the contractor shall minimize both the subcontract implementation 

and fabrication phases of the task. Subcontractors used for fabrication and/or 

assembly shall be ISO 9001 compliant.

The Contractor shall provide fabrication, assembly and testing services, including 

breadboards, engineering models, protoflight models, and flight models at all levels 

of assembly specified by this Statement of Work, including:

1. Planning Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide planning services, 

including:

a. Implementation and maintenance of overall production and quality 

engineering plans

b. Manufacturing, integration and test plans, describing sequences, 

qualification and acceptance test levels, and facilities needed to 

accomplish assembly, integration, alignment, testing, quality control, and 

checkout

2. Fabrication Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide fabrication 

services, including:

a. Optical, mechanical, detector, electrical/electronics, and microwave, 

including antennas

b. Ground support equipment, including mechanical and electrical, and 

optical

c. Laboratory control systems

d. Wiring harnesses

e. Special parts

f. Surface mount printed circuit boards, including leadless chip carriers, 

chip-on-board techniques, and column grid array technology

g. Composites

3. Assembly Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide assembly services, 

including:

a. Optical, mechanical, detector, electrical/electronics, and microwave, 

including antennas

b. Ground support equipment including mechanical, electrical, and optical
39

c. Test equipment and fixtures

d. Wiring harnesses

e. Active thermal control devices (heaters, thermostats, thermocouples, 

thermistors, heat pipes, CPLs, etc.)

f. Hardware protective coatings

g. Operation of Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated Board Layout and 

Assembly Facility

4. Logistics Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide logistics services, 

including:

a. Identification of critical spares and material

b. Storage and control of critical spares and material

c. Shipment of materials, supplies, subsystems, ground support equipment, 

systems, and flight systems to and from integration, test and launch 

facilities

5. Testing Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall test and/or participate in the 

GSFC’s testing and qualification of hardware and software, including 

retesting/requalification of spare units and breadboards previously developed 

for flight projects. These tests shall be conducted in accordance with 

Government-approved procedures and shall include both functional and 

environmental tests. Functional tests shall be designed and performed to 

demonstrate compliance with the operating requirements of the system. 

Environmental tests shall be designed and performed using environmental 

conditions that meet the launch, safety, and operations requirements of the 

issued task. The Contractor shall perform the following:

a. In-process testing during the fabrication process to demonstrate that the 

design meets the requirements specified. In-process testing shall include:

1. Component value measurements and verification of polarity prior 

to installation and after installation, where feasible

2. Resistance checks of point-to-point wiring and cross tie points, 

where applicable

3. Hi-pot operations from component-to-component, component-toframe, etc. in accordance with the applicable GSFC specification 

or procedure, as required by and specified in a task order

4. Leak/pressure testing at the lowest level of assembly possible and 

throughout the assembly stages 

5. X-ray, dye penetrant, and eddy current inspections, as well as other 

forms of nondestructive analysis 

6. Tests to develop/validate models for structural, mechanical, 

thermal, optical, and electronic components and assemblies
40

b. Functional testing, including:

1. Verification of operational characteristics of components and 

equipment

2. Testing at Government facilities

3. Testing and documentation to verify accuracy, repeatability, and 

stability while operating under simulated flight conditions

c. Flight qualification testing on units that have successfully completed 

functional tests and have been prepared for space flight. These tests may 

be conducted at any of the levels of assembly specified in this Statement 

of Work, including on the spacecraft. The qualification tests shall be 

carried out in a test environment specified by the task order. The 

Government may provide test facilities and/or test equipment to the 

contractor, as specified in the task order. Flight qualification testing shall 

include:

1. Vibration/Shock

2. Magnetic

3. Thermal vacuum

4. Thermal balance

5. Static loads

6. Acoustics

7. Mass properties

8. Alignment

9. Electromagnetic interference (EMI)

10. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

11. Gravity effects

12. Radiation effects

13. Modal survey

14. Optical performance and characterization

15. Deployments

16. Mechanism Performance

H. INTEGRATION, TEST, AND VERIFICATION SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide management, engineering and test-conductor services 

that include integrating and verifying the flight, ground systems, and science data 

system/applications in accordance with applicable documentation and specifications, 

preparing test procedures, documenting all nonconformances and dispositions, 

calibrating the system and its ground support equipment, and providing operating 

manuals, reference documents, training, and launch site support.
41

1. Integration, Test and Verification Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide integration, test, and verification services, including:

a. Major program reviews

b. Space flight subsystems

c. Space flight instruments

d. Space flight payloads

e. Suborbitalcraft instruments

f. Ground instrumentation

g. Ground support systems

h. Science data systems/applications

i. Spacecraft and science operations control rooms

j. Suborbitalcraft subsystems

Integration and test services may need to be supported at various locations, including 

vendor sites, NASA Centers, and Military sites.

I. LABORATORY AND TEST INSTRUMENTATION SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide the services necessary for conceptualization, 

prototyping, system engineering, design, development, integration, test, sustaining 

engineering, maintenance and utilization of laboratory and test instrumentation.

1. Laboratory and Test Instrumentation Specific Tasks – The Contractor 

shall provide laboratory and test instrumentation services, including:

a. Optics/Fiber optics

b. Detector engineering

c. Laser communication and ranging

d. Electrical ground support equipment

e. Subsystem bench test equipment

f. Special instrumentation

g. Thermal/Cryogenics

h. Contamination

i. Operating power test facilities at the GSFC

 - Large Area Pulse Solar Simulator

 - Battery handling & conditioning laboratory

 - High voltage partial discharge laboratory

j. Calibration

k. Crosstalk
42

l. Microphonics analyses

m. Analysis of instrument and spacecraft subsystem interaction

n. RF communications engineering and millimeter wave services

 - Operating microwave test equipment, including cryogenic testbeds

 - Operating RF equipment, including radiating sources

 - Supporting antennae test facilities, including anechoic chamber

J. MISSION ASSURANCE AND SYSTEMS SAFETY SERVICES

For all levels of flight hardware and software provided by the Contractor and 

specified by this Statement of Work, the Contractor shall establish and maintain a 

mission assurance program commensurate with mission requirements as specified by 

the Task Order. The mission assurance program shall incorporate a system safety 

program which meets the requirements of National Space Transportation Systems 

(NSTS) 1700.7C, “Safety Policy and Requirements for Payloads Using the Space 

Transportation System” and 2.45 SPW S-100/KHB 1700.7C, “Space Shuttle Payload 

Ground Safety Handbook” for shuttle missions. For ELV missions at ETR or WTR, 

the system safety program shall meet the requirements of EWR 127-1, “Eastern and 

Western Range Safety Requirements.”

The contractor shall establish and maintain practices, procedures, and processes that 

are ISO Q9001-2000 compliant.

1. Performance Assurance Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

performance assurance services, including: 

a. Reviewing payload designs to assure their compliance with performance

assurance, reliability, and safety specifications

b. Developing, analyzing, and monitoring performance assurance, reliability, 

system safety plans, and procedures, fabrication assembly, integration and 

test, verification, and launch support

c. Analyzing basic plans for system safety, contamination control, 

integration, and

 testing of subsystems and systems

2. Safety Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide safety services which 

conform to the system safety/mission assurance program, including:

a. Establishing and documenting a systems safety plan in concert with the 

appropriate launch vehicle and NASA safety policy
43

b. Conducting and assessing system safety analyses for flight designs and 

launch/retrieval operations to satisfy NASA safety and reliability 

requirements

c. Analyzing design changes related to minimizing hazard levels

d. Participating in system safety reviews

e. Reviewing the proposed systems design to ensure that proper 

considerations are given to safety-critical areas, and that safety problems 

exposed in prior analyses, testing, and operational use of instruments and 

subsystems are corrected

f. Conducting Verification and Validation (V&V) programs for flight and 

critical ground systems software

g. Preparing the Safety Data Package, including writing and editing

h. Performing hazards analysis of flight system, shuttle interface equipment, 

and ground support equipment

i. Participating in required inspection/testing to fulfill safety data 

requirements

j. Coordinating with the GSFC safety officer and participating in formal 

safety reviews

k. Preparing final safety data packages

K. CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide overall management and oversight of the Configuration 

Management (CM), Documentation Management (DM), and Quality Control 

Management (QCM) disciplines throughout the life cycle of flight hardware and 

software provided within the scope of this Statement of Work. Each discipline shall 

require the development, establishment, and implementation of procedures and 

processes and establishment of mechanisms and tools for consistency. 

The Contractor shall support the planning, identification of processes, and leading 

GSFC Project efforts in these disciplines. This support shall also include the 

necessary planning and associated process development for the GSFC Project in 

meeting conformance requirements to NASA procedures and guidelines as well as the 

ISO standards. 

The main CM/DM/QCM functions shall include:

 Configuration identification, configuration control, configuration accounting 

and reporting

 configuration verification and configuration auditing

 implementation and maintenance of a DM system 
44

The Contractor shall be responsible for providing the necessary tools and databases to 

accomplish the above functions; developing and establishing procedures and 

guidelines and training in the configuration management, documentation 

management, and ISO Q9001-2000 disciplines. 

L. CONTAMINATION AND COATINGS ENGINEERING SERVICES

1. Contamination Control Management Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide contamination control management services, including:

a. Developing contamination control plans for spacecraft and instruments

b. Determining contamination control requirements and developing 

appropriate monitoring plans and procedures to assess contamination 

control requirement compliance

c. Monitoring, reviewing, analyzing, and reporting on overall contamination 

control management, implementation, and development

d. Support project meetings at the spacecraft and instrument level, support 

and present at project reviews, support technical interchange meetings, 

peer reviews, working group meetings, failure review boards, facility 

cleanliness surveys/evaluations, lessons learned, knowledge capture, and 

other project meetings at vendor sites (as required). 

e. Provide support for implementation of contamination control plans and 

requirements at vendor sites and at launch sites.

2. Contamination Control Analysis Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide contamination control analysis services, including:

a. Developing analytical transport models (molecular and/or particulate) for 

spacecraft and instrument systems and/or other space flight hardware and 

generating contamination hazards predictions

b. Performing detailed environmental analyses of all phases of assembly, 

integration, test, transportation, pre-launch, launch, on-orbit, and descent 

and comparing against requirements

c. Establishing surface contamination limits based on allowable performance 

degradation and conducting trade-off analyses, analyzing specifications, 

and reviewing requirements

d. Establish particulate and gaseous contamination limits for ambient 

temperature and cryogenic fluid systems.

e. Develop new, or improve existing contamination engineering analysis 

software.
45

Perform tape lift sampling and analysis according to GSFC 545-WI8072.1.2 and provide report of all events in IEST-STD-CC1246D and 

percent area covered formats where requested. 

f. Monitor and model outgassing tests of flight systems and their 

components at the systems and subsystem vacuum level tests. 

g. Perform data reduction of all contamination monitoring devices and 

present results in report format.

h. Analyze trends, make relevant analysis and predictions on performance. 

3. Integration and Test Contamination Control Specific Tasks – The 

Contractor shall provide integration and test contamination control services, 

including:

a. Providing direction during test planning and the test preparation phase

b. Designing, developing, fabricating, and integrating contamination control 

monitoring devices

c. Developing procedures for specific test and cleanliness requirements

d. Providing contamination control monitoring during integration and 

providing support during testing and integration

4. Contamination Laboratory Support Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide contamination laboratory support services, including:

a. Perform and record outgassing measurements in the Molecular Kinetics 

(MOLEKIT) facility. 

b. Provide contamination flight monitor support for fabrication, testing, 

integration, on-orbit data review, and data reduction. 

c. Provide setup and operation of airborne particle counters and microscopes

5. Development and Use of Contamination Standards Specific Tasks – The 

Contractor shall provide contamination laboratory support services, including:

a. Provide analysis and support for the development of GSFC, NASA, 

national and international contamination control standards. 

b. Develop, procure and calibrate, and test new equipment for the purpose of 

developing new standards or monitoring flight projects contamination 

control. 

c. Write and present papers documenting the development of new techniques 

and standards in contamination control.

6. Cleaning Support and Technology Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide cleaning support services, including:
46

a. Provide cleaning procedures, and precision cleaning, for GSE and flight 

hardware. 

b Investigate, develop, procure and calibrate, and test new cleaning 

techniques and applications to enhance our ability to provide and validate 

cleanliness of flight hardware.

7. Space Environmental Coatings Testing and Management Specific Tasks –

The Contractor shall provide support services, including:

a. Perform Flight qualification and space environment testing of coatings 

along with thermal radiative property measurements, thickness 

measurements, and coating adherence testing. 

b. Develop, operate, and maintain GSFC unique facilities to select, apply, 

and qualify coatings for use on spacecraft and instrument surfaces. 

c. Characterize thermal control surfaces and assess degradation from 

environmental effects due to UV radiation, thermal cycling, charged 

particles, electrostatic discharge, outgassing and humidity. 

d. Develop and maintain a database of thermal property test data and 

coordinates extended shelf life testing of paints. 

8. Space Environmental Coatings Testing, Applications and Management 

Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide support services, including:

a. Perform Flight qualification and space environment testing of coatings 

along with thermal radiative property measurements, thickness 

measurements, and coating adherence testing. 

b. Develop, operate, and maintain GSFC unique facilities to select, apply, 

and qualify coatings for use on spacecraft and instrument surfaces. 

c. Characterize thermal control surfaces and assess degradation from 

environmental effects due to UV radiation, thermal cycling, charged 

particles, electrostatic discharge, outgassing and humidity. 

d. Develop and maintain a database of thermal property test data and 

coordinates extended shelf life testing of paints. 

9. Thin Films Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide support services, 

including:

a. Provide support in the area of vacuum vapor deposition and sputter 

deposited thin films. 

b. Provide support to apply thin film coatings on space flight parts at either 

government facilities and/or the contractor facilities. Provide offsite 

support for the use of these techniques. 
47

M. EEE PARTS PROGRAM SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide parts and materials services for hardware/software 

within the scope of this contract, including:

1. Materials and Processes Services

1. Materials and Processes Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide materials and process services specific to parts engineering 

including:

a. Contamination analysis and control

b. Construction analysis

c. Design compatibility

d. Material evaluation

2. Protective Coating and Encapsulation Services

1. Protective Coating and Encapsulation Specific Tasks – The Contractor 

shall provide protective coating and encapsulation services, including:

a. Iridite, anodize, or use comparable coating processes to finish metal 

surfaces

b. Conformal coat and/or encapsulate components, parts, and fixtures in 

accordance with task orders and applicable flight application 

documentation.

c. Prime and paint surfaces, parts, and assemblies

3. Component and Parts Labeling Services

1. Component and Parts Labeling Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide component and parts labeling, including:

a. Label and identify parts with location as specified by the applicable 

document or drawing

b. Cover labels with GSFC approved protective finish where required

4. Space Electronics Packaging Services

The Contractor shall provide Space Electronics Packaging Services, including:
48

1. Packaging Design

a. Circuit board design and layout

b. Enclosure design and layout

c. Mechanical mounting including thermal and vibration isolation

d. Board-mounted mechanical parts

e. EMI/EMC isolation and protection 

f. Ground support equipment including mechanical electrical and optical

g. Test Equipment

h. Mechanical analysis

i. Thermal analysis

j. Contamination analysis

k. Radiation mitigation analysis

2. Manufacturing and Assembly Services

a. Circuit board manufacturing and assembly.

b. Enclosure & circuit board mechanical parts manufacturing and 

assembly

c. Manufacturing and assembly of optical, mechanical, detector, 

electrical/electronics, RF and microwave boards & components

d. Ground support equipment manufacturing and assembly, including 

mechanical, electrical, and optical 

e. Test equipment and test fixture manufacturing and assembly

f. Electrical test assembly support

g. Wiring harness manufacturing and assembly

h. Mechanical and electronics protective coatings

3. Operation of Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated Board layout and 

Assembly Facility

5. EEE Parts Services

1. Project Parts Engineering and Program Management Specific Tasks –

The Contractor shall provide parts engineering and program management 

services, including:

a. Commodity Expertise for all EEE part categories listed in EEE-INST002, and Detectors, Microwave, and Fiber optics.

b. Establishment of parts selection and approval criteria for Grade 1, 2 

and 3 level programs and projects.

c. Develop, review and implement Parts Control Plans.
49

d. Interface with Designers, Radiation Engineers and Chief Safety and 

Mission Assurance Officer (CSO) in parts selection and approval 

process.

e. Develop, review and maintain parts lists ....

f. Conduct and participate in Parts Control Boards.

g. Review and disposition all GIDEP Alerts and NASA Advisories.

h. Specification preparation and interfacing with manufacturers for 

custom flight parts.

i. Investigations of reliability issues related to parts failures.

j. Evaluation of advanced technology parts.

k. Prepare and follow counterfeit parts avoidance and lead free control 

plan.

2. Parts Testing and Analysis Laboratory Specific Tasks – The 

Contractor shall provide parts testing and analysis laboratory services, 

including

a. Failure Analysis- Conduct analysis of failed parts, materials and 

components to determine and classify the physical mechanisms of 

failures

b. Destructive Physical Analysis (DPA)- Conduct DPA to determine if 

the part quality and workmanship meet the requirements of applicable 

NASA or Manufacturer specification. DPA shall include electrical, 

mechanical, environmental and analytical testing

c. Incoming Test and Inspection, Screening, Evaluation and qualification 

testing - Conduct these tests in accordance with appropriate part 

specification and test procedures. Analyze test results and provide 

summary reports and certification logs as required

d. Test Equipment specific tasks- Support the calibration, maintenance 

and upgrading of test equipment related activities and support property 

system requirements.

e. Ensure safe operating procedures, practices and availability of 

personal protection equipment in the Lab.

3. Photonics Tasks - The Contractor shall provide following test laboratory 

services:

a. Building fiber optic cables and arrays for spaceflight and ground test 

using a wide variety of fiber optic components. Conducting 

investigations into fiber optic and photonic reliability, radiation effects 

and other related engineering tasks, including design of optical fiber 

and optical free space components.

b. Operating a Technology Validation laboratory with a variety of 

environmental, optical microscopy and x-ray microscopy equipment 
50

for the purpose of investigating the reliability of Electrical, 

Electromechanical and Electronic, (EEE) parts and technologies.

c. Evaluating new photonics technologies for suitability for use in space 

flight application.

4. Parts Information System Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

parts information system services, including:

b. Develop, update, and maintain an electronic parts database, that 

includes candidate parts lists, as designed parts lists and approved 

parts lists of all GSFC projects.

c. Develop, update, and maintain the on-line NASA Parts Selection List 

(NPSL), and EEE Parts Selection, Qualification, Screening and 

Derating Guidelines (EEE-INST-002).

d. Update and maintain Parts Analysis Lab website, NEPP website and 

the Parts Engineers website.

e. Maintenance of the PA lab network to include on line storage of all 

test reports.

f. Maintenance of EEE parts specification library. This includes working 

with the NASA Standard’s organization.

N. MATERIALS ENGINEERING

The contractor shall provide materials engineering support in the two major areas of 

Materials Assurance Engineering and Materials Laboratory Support.

1. Materials Assurance Engineering Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall 

provide materials engineering support for the development and 

implementation of materials assurance programs for GSFC managed flight 

projects, including:

a. Selection and application of materials and processes

b. Material usage lists

c. Facility evaluations of GSFC and NASA contractor Materials 

Engineering, processing and quality facilities for required equipment, 

processes personnel, training and capability for producing flight 

quality hardware

d. Hardware evaluation via audit of NASA and NASA contractor 

manufacturing of flight hardware, including in-process and end item 

inspections for compliance with agency and project requirements
51

2. Laboratory Support Specific Tasks – The contractor shall provide 

engineering support for laboratory operations associated with the testing and 

analysis of organic, ceramic, composite and metallic materials typically used 

in space flight projects, including:

a. Organic materials - failure analysis, material investigations, process 

development, and analyses, etc.

b. Ceramic and composite materials engineering

c. Metallurgical engineering

d. Materials Identification and Certification

e. Life testing

f. Cryo lab support

g. Metallurgical engineering

h. Electrical properties of materials testing
52

FUNCTION 4 – OPERATIONAL PHASE SERVICES

A. DATA SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide data systems management services, including:

a. Developing, reviewing, and analyzing software requirements and specifications

b. Contributing to the design, development, validation, implementation, certification, 

and maintenance of ground or on-board computer system simulators/emulators, 

including validation of flight systems software for ascent, transfer, or on-orbit 

phases and near real-time reprogramming and validation of modifications for 

recovery from anomalous situations

c. Analyzing the design and implementation of simulators/emulators for 

ground crew training, systems testing and procedure validation

B. LAUNCH AND POST-LAUNCH OPERATIONS SERVICES

The Contractor shall supply launch and post-launch services, including:

1. Launch Site Preparation Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

subsystem services at the launch site, including:

a. Payload system and its support equipment

b. Interfaces to the mission operations control centers

c. Technical services to facilitate interfacing with the launch site 

organization

d. Development of launch site support requirements

e. Development of launch site plans and procedures

f. Provide support for shipment of the flight hardware and associated support 

equipment to and from the launch site

2. Launch Operations Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide launch 

operations services, including:

a. Assuring flight readiness of the delivered subsystem

b. Pre-launch testing of the delivered subsystem

c. Operation of associated ground support equipment
53

d. Services to the launch vehicle team for payload integration to the vehicle 

at the 

launch facility

3. Mission Operation Support Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

mission operation services, including services for the payload and for carrier 

and flight support system during mission operations.

4. Landing and De-Integration Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide 

landing and de-integration services, including services at the landing site for 

payload de-integration, post-flight testing, and payload shipment. This shall 

include suborbitalcraft and payloads recovery.

5. Refurbishment of Recovered Systems Specific Tasks – The Contractor 

shall provide refurbishment services for recovered flight systems.

6. Data Reduction Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide data reduction 

services and shall compile and analyzing systems performance data during 

and after the mission.

7. Documentation Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide post-flight 

summary reports, analyzing the performance of the subsystem during flight.
54

FUNCTION 5 – Infrastructure Services

A. COMPUTER SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide computer technology services, including:

1. Computer Support Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide computer 

technology services, including:

a. Engineering support to analyze data acquisition, processing, distribution, 

archival/storage, and measurement problems

b. Data reduction to include statistical and thematic trends analyses

c. Diagnostics support for instrument checkout between test consoles and 

test components

d. Program services to utilize test instruments in aerospace system test and 

analysis, including GPIB type operation and GUI based software system

e. General in-house computer software maintenance to include, but not be 

limited to, updating and debugging programs

f. Design, coding, integration, test, documentation, and maintenance of 

special applications programs

g. Updating of existing technical in-house computer databases

h. Transfer of programs from one system to another and testing for

functional operations and real time data transfer between dissimilar 

systems

i. Debugging of general utility programs, such as graphic packages

j. Provide support for analyzing and implementing solutions to computer 

hardware interface problems

k. Provide support for network and operating system configurations, 

troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance

l. Design and debug of test procedures

2. IT Systems Security and System Administrator Function – The contractor 

shall provide Windows, Macintosh, Linux, UNIX, Web, LAN systems 

administration services to desktops, workstations and servers, including:

a. Logging, reporting, diagnosing and correcting system faults

b. Configuring systems for performance, security and network compatibility

c. Performing updates of the operating system and associated software for 

desktops and workstations

d. Supporting in the preparation and updating of IT security and system 

administration documentation

e. Coordinating with the Office of the Chief Information Officer/Information 
55

 Technology and Communications Directorate to implement IT security 

 initiatives

f. Supporting users with software/hardware installation

g. Performing Help Desk functions including problem diagnosis and 

answering user questions regarding applications

h. Monitoring system and network security and availability

i. Repairing workstations, desktops and printers on an emergency basis

j. Data backup, archive, and retrieval

In addition to any other requirements of this contract, all individuals who 

perform tasks as a system administrator or have authority to perform tasks 

normally performed by system administrator shall be required to demonstrate 

knowledge appropriate to those tasks. This demonstration, referred to as the 

NASA System Administrator Security Certification, is a NASA funded twotier assessment to verify that system administrators are able to –

1. Demonstrate knowledge in system administration for the operating 

systems for which they have responsibility.

2. Demonstrate knowledge in the understanding and application of 

Network and Internet Security.

Certification is granted upon achieving a score above the certification level on 

both an Operating System test and the Network and Internet Security Test.

The Certification earned under this process will be valid for three years. The 

criteria for this skills assessment has been established by the NASA Chief 

Information Officer. The objectives and procedures for this certification can 

be obtained by contacting the IT Security Awareness and Training Center at 

(216) 433-2063.

A system administrator is one who provides IT services, network services, 

files storage, web services, etc. to someone else other than themselves and 

takes or assumes the responsibility for the security and administrative controls 

of that service or machine. A lead system administrator has responsibility for 

information technology security (ITS) for multiple computers or network 

devises represented within a system; ensuring all devices assigned to them are 

kept in a secure configuration (patched/mitigated); and ensuring that all other 

system administrators under their lead understand and perform ITS duties. An 

individual that has full access or arbitrative rights on a system or machine that 

is only servicing themselves does not constitute a "system administrator" since 

they are only providing or accepting responsibility for their system. An 

individual that is only servicing himself is not required to obtain a System 

Administrator Certification.

3. Web Page Development and Maintenance Function – The contractor shall 

provide web development services to help promote organizational capabilities, 

including:
56

a. Development, maintenance, and upgrade of web sites

b. Management of mission test facilities that require significant computer 

capabilities

c. Compliance to Agency and Center policy (GSFC Webmaster) such as 508 

compliance and Post 9-11 accessibility compatibility

d. Defining with customer the look and feel of the web site, and reviewing 

web site requirements

e. Developing prototype web sites for maturing web based concepts

f. Providing maintenance services to keep web site up to date and compliant

B. DOCUMENT SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide documentation services for all levels of hardware and 

software within the scope of this Statement of Work, as specified in task orders. 

Documents shall conform to applicable documents and specifications. These shall 

include pertinent NHBs, SMAP, quality standards, GSFC standards, documents of 

other NASA Centers, Federal standards, military standards, and commercial 

standards.

The Contractor shall provide documentation services, including instrument 

conceptual 

designs, program plans, systems analyses, illustrations, technical and implementation 

plans, test plans, test procedures, test scripts, software documentation, and the full 

range of system hardware and software documentation. These shall also include upto-date drawings, specifications, certifications, reports, interface control documents, 

and agreements. 

1. Document Services Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide electronic 

media and document services, including:

a. Technical writing

b. Editing

c. Drafting

d. CAD/CAM

e. Photographic

f. Video

g. Reproduction

h. CD, DVD

i. Posters and Displays

2. Photo and Video Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall use photos and video 

for maintenance, engineering, or as documentation to explain a problem. 
57

They shall become supplemental to support in unit repair or future 

development and maintenance. A scale shall be included to indicate relative 

dimensions in photographs and/or video, where appropriate.

C. MAINTENANCE SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide maintenance support, including:

1. Preventive Maintenance

The Contractor shall perform preventative maintenance on hardware and software 

within the scope of this Statement of Work as specified in task orders.

2. Emergency Repair Services

The Contractor shall provide expeditious emergency repair services for hardware 

and software within the scope of this Statement of Work, as specified in task 

orders. The Contractor shall respond to the Government within four hours of 

notification to determine and implement a mutually agreeable course of action. In 

some cases, there shall be 24-hour coverage during flight hardware and software 

evaluation, verification, and test. This service shall comprise of repair, 

modification, or replacement of components, codes, subassemblies, and 

assemblies. Documentation updates shall be required as a result of any design 

change.

D. SUSTAINING ENGINEERING SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide sustaining engineering services for hardware and 

software within the scope of this Statement of Work, including:

1. Modifications of hardware/firmware, including installation of circuits for 

improved reliability and/or performance

2. Modifications of wiring to improve circuit performance

3. Fabrication, assembly, wiring, and testing of printed circuit assemblies where 

necessary to update old circuitry or improve reliability
58

4. Engineering, fabrication, testing of assemblies or sub-assemblies to replace 

outdated circuitry to eliminate component or circuit failures

5. Engineering, fabrication, assembly, and testing of engineering circuits to 

correct problems encountered

6. Modifications of mechanical assemblies, structures, and mechanisms to 

correct or improve the design

7. Update of drawings, manuals, and technical data to reflect current status at the 

time of modifications

E. DEMONSTRATION, PRESENTATION AND CONFERENCE SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide technology services for hardware and software 

demonstrations, technical/project/conference presentations, and conference 

planning/implementation for items within the scope of this Statement of Work, 

including:

1. Demonstration Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide hardware, 

software, support equipment, and technical services for onsite and offsite 

demonstrations.

2. Presentation Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall provide materials for 

inclusion 

in technical/project/conference presentations, including viewgraphs, 

information, photographs, etc. In addition, the Contractor shall perform the 

presentation.

3. Conference Specific Tasks – The Contractor shall support the Government 

by providing 

services in the planning and implementation of conferences.

F. EDUCATION SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide education services, including:

1. Supporting AETD mini-course series
59

2. Supporting GSFC’s partnership with the University of Maryland Aerospace 

Department to teach courses in satellite design

3. Supporting the NASA Engineering Training (NET) activity

4. Supporting programs with universities and NASA headquarters

G. STANDARDS AND PROCESS

The Contractor shall provide support for engineering standards work and engineering 

process work, including:

1. ISO documentation and process generation

2. Engineering standards documentation and review

3. Engineering process documentation

4. Activities in support of engineering process improvement
60

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

General:

NPR 7120.5D, “NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management 

Requirements” 

NASA SP-2007-6105 Rev1, The NASA Systems Engineering Handbook 

December 2007

NPR-7150.2, “NASA Software Engineering Requirements”

NASA-STD-8719.13, “NASA Software Safety Standard”

GPR 8070.4, "Administration and Application of the Goddard Rules for the 

Design, Development, Verification and Operation of Flight Systems"

GSFC-STD-1000, "Rules for the Design, Development, Verification, and 

Operation of Flight Systems."

Launch Vehicles:

EWR 127-1, “Eastern and Western Range Safety Requirements” 

NSTS 1700.7B, “Safety Policy and Requirements for Payloads Using the Space 

Transportation System”

2.45 SPW S-100/KHB 1700.7B, “Space Shuttle Payload Ground Safety 

Handbook”

Conformal Coating and Staking:

NASA-STD-8739.1, “Workmanship Standard for Polymeric Application on 

Electronic Assemblies”

Soldering – Flight, Surface Mount Technology:

NASA-STD-8739.2, “Workmanship Standard for Surface Mount Technology”

Soldering – Flight, Manual (hand):

NASA-STD-8739.3, “Soldered Electrical Connections”

Soldering – Ground Systems:

Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)/Electronics Industry Alliance 

(EIA) 

J-STD-001D AMD1, “Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic 

Assemblies”

Electronic Assemblies – Ground Systems:

IPC-A-610, “Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies”

Crimping, Wiring, and Harnessing:

NASA-STD-8739.4, “Crimping, Interconnecting Cables, Harnesses, and Wiring”

GSFC-733-HARN-01, “Design and Manufacturing Standard for Electrical 

Harnesses”
61

Fiber Optics:

565-PG-8700.2.1 “Design and Development Guidelines for Spaceflight Electrical 

Harnesses”

Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Control:

ANSI/ESD S20.20, “Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and 

Equipment” (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices)

Printed Wiring Board (PWB) Design:

500-PG-8700.2.2, Electronics Design and Development Guidelines

500-PG-8700.2.4, Mechanical Design and Development Guidelines, 

GSFC X-673-64-1F, “Engineering Drawing Standards Manual” (December 1994)

IPC-2221, “Generic Standard on Printed Wiring Board Design”

IPC-2222, “Sectional Standard on Rigid Printed Wiring Boards Design”

IPC-2223A, “Sectional Design Standard for Flexible Printed Boards”

PWB Manufacture:

GSFC 311-INST-002, “Instructions for EEE Parts Selection, Screening,

Qualification, and Derating”

IPC A-600, “Acceptability of Printed Boards”

IPC-6011, “Generic Performance Specification for Printed Boards”

IPC-6012, “Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed 

Boards”

Flight Applications – Supplemented with: GSFC/S312-P-003, Procurement 

Specification for Rigid Printed Boards for Space Applications and Other High 

Reliability Uses

IPC-6013 “Qualification and Performance Specification for Flexible Printed 

Boards”

IPC-6018 “Microwave End Product Board Inspection and Test”

Section 508 EIT Standards

1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems

1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications

1194.24 Video and Multimedia Products

Mechanical Design

GSFC Fastener Integrity Requirements

http://gdms.gsfc.nasa.gov/home.jsp

Testing

GSFC-STD-7000 “General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS)