The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a continuing requirement for Antarctic Science and Engineering Support services.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) manages the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) on behalf of the Nation per Presidential Memorandum 6646, “United States Antarctic Policy and Programs”. The USAP supports all U.S. scientific research and related logistics in Antarctica and aboard USAP vessels that operate along the continental margin and in the Southern Ocean. This performance work statement is for delivery of the services described herein that are required to enable federal research activities in the Antarctic.

The Antarctic research portfolio includes cutting-edge science across three primary themes – research that improves understanding of interactions among the Antarctic region and global systems; research that expands fundamental knowledge of Antarctic systems, biota, and processes; and research that utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic region as a science observing platform. Numerous scientific disciplines – glaciology, geomorphology, earth science, geodesy, geophysics, astrophysics and geospace science, ocean and atmospheric science, biology, education, and cyberinfrastructure – are represented in these themes. Science within the Antarctic research portfolio is chosen and funded by NSF and other Federal agencies, including NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Energy. The purpose of the ASESC is to enable that science.

Work in Antarctica is carried out in partnership with grantee institutions, other Federal agencies, the military, other National Antarctic Programs, and private industry. The Contractor will work with NSF and across a diverse range of USAP partners to enable a world-class, broad and interdisciplinary Antarctic research program.

Through this contract, NSF seeks to employ relational principles and methods to enable the Contractor to achieve highly effective and efficient operations across USAP that result in a safe and secure environment, world-class science and technology, cost-effective science support, and enhanced Contractor accountability. The Contractor has the responsibility for total performance under the contract, including determining the specific methods for accomplishing the work effort, performing quality control, and assuming accountability for accomplishing the work.

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to develop and implement innovative approaches and adopt practices that foster continuous improvement in accomplishing the USAP research portfolio. NSF expects the Contractor to employ effective and efficient management structures, systems, and operations that maintain high levels of quality and safety in accomplishing work.

NSF anticipates grouping tasks into two kinds of Task Orders:

1. Sustaining Task Orders that involve tasks routinely performed at similar levels year over year to sustain base USAP activities. Sustaining Task Orders are expected to have similar evaluation and fee characteristics generally based on efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation
2. Project Task Orders that involve one-time tasks with finite scope and defined schedules. Project Task Orders will have similar evaluation and fee characteristics generally based on on-schedule, on-cost delivery of specified outcomes

The following task orders are currently envisioned with the durations shown.  NSF reserves the right to alter or discontinue the use of the following structure at any time.

• Transition (Project): Encompassing tasks in Section 2.3.1 for a period of 9-18 months
• Management (Sustaining): Encompassing tasks in Section 2.3.2, for a period of 60 months
• Science Support (2-3) (Sustaining): Encompassing all tasks in Sections 2.3.3 and 2.3.4 for science events requiring support levels 2-3 for a duration of 12 months
• Science Support (4-6) (Sustaining): Encompassing all tasks in Sections 2.3.3 and 2.3.4 for science events requiring support levels 4-6 for the duration of the science event
• Base Operations (Sustaining): Encompassing all tasks in Sections 2.3.5 – 2.3.8 EXCEPT major facilities recapitalization projects in Section 2.3.7.2.5 for the duration of 36 – 48 months
• Major Facilities Recapitalization Projects (Project): Encompassing individual projects in Section 2.3.7.2.5 for the duration of the project
• Information Technology and Communications (Sustaining): Encompassing tasks in Section 2.3.9 for a duration of 24-36 months