ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is NASA Science Mission Directorate Amendment 9 to the existing Announcement of Opportunity (AO) NNH08ZDA009O, known as the Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON). The amendment creates a new Program Element Appendix, Appendix H8, titled "SOFIA Second Generation Instrument Investigations" (SOFIA2G).

2) What does "Appendix H8 (SOFIA2G)" actually solicit?

Appendix H8 solicits proposals for specific science investigations centered on developing, delivering, and then using new "second generation" scientific instruments for the SOFIA observatory. The focus is on end-to-end investigations: not just science analysis, but also the hardware development and the scientific exploitation of that hardware once it is available for SOFIA observations.

3) Is this a brand-new AO, or part of an existing NASA solicitation?

It is part of an existing solicitation (SALMON, AO number NNH08ZDA009O). This call is created through an amendment (Amendment 9) that adds Appendix H8 as a new program element under the SALMON umbrella.

4) What is SOFIA, as described in the announcement?

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is described as a 2.7-meter German-built telescope (with a 2.5-meter usable aperture) mounted in a NASA-supplied and modified Boeing 747SP aircraft.

5) Why does SOFIA fly on an aircraft instead of observing from the ground?

SOFIA can fly at altitudes up to about 45,000 feet, operating above more than 99 percent of the Earth's atmospheric water vapor. This matters because atmospheric water vapor blocks many infrared wavelengths for ground-based astronomy. By flying high, SOFIA can observe infrared windows that are otherwise unavailable or severely limited from the ground.

6) What kinds of observations does this enable?

The announcement emphasizes access to infrared wavelengths that are blocked or limited by water vapor at ground level, enabling observations of astronomical phenomena that require those infrared windows.

7) How much observing time does NASA associate with SOFIA?

NASA highlights an operational capability of up to roughly 1,000 cloud-free, high-altitude science observing hours per year, over a design lifetime of about two decades.

8) What is the main emphasis of the SOFIA2G investigations?

The emphasis is on end-to-end investigations that include building and delivering new instruments and then using those instruments for SOFIA science. In other words, the opportunity is instrument-driven science that spans hardware development through scientific results.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Proposals are welcome from any category of organization or institution, including educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations. The announcement also explicitly includes Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other government agencies.

10) Is international participation allowed?

Yes. The opportunity allows both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations to propose. The text also notes a specific restriction that non-German organizations are eligible under this call.

11) Is the eligibility listed as restricted in any way?

The eligibility field is listed as "Unrestricted," subject to clarifications in the announcement text.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the provided opportunity description.

13) What type of award will NASA use?

The opportunity supports awards through grants and/or cooperative agreements.

14) Is this opportunity discretionary or mandatory?

It is categorized as discretionary.

15) What is the funding activity area?

The funding activity area is described as science and technology and other research and development.

16) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 43.007 (Space Operations).

17) How does NASA classify this solicitation from a federal contracting standpoint?

NASA identifies this as a NASA Research Announcement in the sense contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2), which is the Federal Acquisition Regulation language used to distinguish research solicitations from standard procurement competitions.

18) When does the SOFIA2G (Appendix H8) solicitation open?

The solicitation opens on July 8, 2011.

19) Is there a preproposal event?

Yes. A preproposal teleconference is scheduled for August 4, 2011, with details to be posted online.

20) Is a Notice of Intent (NOI) required, and when is it due?

A Notice of Intent to propose is due August 15, 2011.

21) When are full proposals due?

Full proposals are due October 7, 2011.

22) What is the open period for this Appendix H8 call?

The opportunity is open from July 8, 2011 through the proposal deadline of October 7, 2011.

23) Why are there older dates referenced for SALMON?

The posting metadata notes that the overall SALMON AO was originally released September 3, 2008 with proposals due December 2, 2008. This Amendment 9 establishes the updated dates for the SOFIA second generation instrument investigations element (Appendix H8).

24) Where do applicants find the full AO text and Appendix H8?

NASA directs applicants to retrieve the full AO text and appendices electronically through NSPIRES (the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) at nspires.nasaprs.com by navigating to Open Solicitations and selecting NNH08ZDA009O.

25) Where will teleconference details be posted?

Teleconference information is to be posted through the SOFIA-related site hosted by NASA Langley: soma.larc.nasa.gov/SOFIA/.

26) Who is the technical/programmatic point of contact for questions?

NASA lists Dr. Paul Hertz, the NASA SOFIA Program Scientist in the Science Mission Directorate, as the primary point of contact for technical or programmatic questions.

27) Is there a preferred email subject line for solicitation questions?

Yes. NASA asks that email inquiries use the subject line "SOFIA Instrument AO."

28) Who should be contacted for problems accessing the announcement in NSPIRES?

For issues accessing the announcement electronically, NSPIRES support is referenced at nais.support@nasa.gov.

29) What AO number should applicants look for in NSPIRES?

Applicants should look for AO number NNH08ZDA009O (SALMON) and then locate Appendix H8 ("SOFIA Second Generation Instrument Investigations").

30) What is the plain-language goal of using the SALMON umbrella for this call?

In practical terms, NASA is using the existing SALMON AO structure to solicit proposals for SOFIA investigations that revolve around delivering new second generation instruments and then carrying out science using those instruments on SOFIA.