Date: April 24, 2008
SIM Science Studies
(SSS)
Request for Proposals
Key Dates:
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RFP Issued: |
April 25, 2008 |
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Proposals Due: |
June 13, 2008 (5pm PDT) |
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Announcement of Selections: |
July 31, 2008 |
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Start of Studies: |
Aug 15, 2008 |
SIM Science Studies
Request for Proposals (RFP)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. The Current Request for Proposals (RFP) 3
Appendix A. Description of SIM Mission. 7
A.2.2 Differential Astrometry. 11
A.2.3 Photometry & Visibility Measurements 11
A.3 Categories of SIM Observing Programs 12
A.4 SIM Web Resources For Proposers 12
Appendix B. General Instructions for Responding to this RFP. 13
B.2 Only One Principal Investigator (PI) 13
B.4 Proposal Submission Deadline 13
B.5 Proposal Confidentiality. 14
B.7.1 Overview of Research Funding Instruments 14
Appendix C: Proposal Requirements. 17
C.2. Science Justification. 17
C 3.3 Brief Resume/Bibliography. 18
C 3.4 Science Study Budget Cost Plan. 19
C 3.5 INSTITUTIONAL AUTHORIZATION PAGE. 20
Appendix D. Science Study Proposal Evaluation and Selection. 22
D.3 Proposal Selection and Selection Announcement 22
E.1. Publication and Dissemination of Science Study Results 24
1. Introduction
The Space Interferometer Mission (SIM) and the Michelson Science Center (MSC) invite proposals for a research opportunity entitled SIM Science Studies. The objective of this call for proposals is to enhance the science return from SIM by supporting researchers to conduct concept studies that will eventually lead to the scientifically productive observations using SIM. Since SIM will offer US astronomers a fundamentally new class of astronomical observations, the most effective use of this new capability requires not only careful selection of science targets and observing strategies, but also community input as to innovative ideas that take full advantage of SIM’s precision, sensitivity, and flexibility. We anticipate there are new astrophysical experiments to be devised that go well beyond the 'traditional' applications of astrometry at modest precision. It is important to note that no SIM observing time is being awarded through this solicitation, but instead support will be provided to develop experiment concepts or theoretical studies involving SIM.
SIM will contribute to many areas of astronomy by making ultra-precise astrometric measurements of targets selected by the observer (Unwin et al 2008, PASP, 120, 38; http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/SIM_PASPpaper.pdf). Of particular importance to NASA's goal of searching for habitable planets will be SIM's surveys of the closest ~100 stars for low-mass planets, to identify potential Earth analogs and determine their mass and orbital properties. For the closest stars, the detection limit is around one Earth mass. SIM will also survey a few thousand stars of a much wider variety of ages, spectral types, and other properties than is possible with other techniques to build up a complete understanding of the formation, evolution, and architecture of planetary systems. Beyond the search for planets, SIM will address many topics in astrophysics, including: improving our understanding of the physical properties of stars, determining the distribution of mass in our Galaxy, including the dark matter component, observing the motions of the Milky Way’s companions in the Local Group, and probing the behavior of supermassive black holes in other galaxies.
2. The Current Request for Proposals (RFP)
Responses to this RFP are invited for any area of astrophysics enabled by measurements with SIM. There is no restriction on the science topics that can be proposed. Typically, the studies will include one or more of the following: modeling of dynamical or physical processes to be studied with SIM; the selection of suitable targets; assessment of instrument performance and design of observing sequences to take best advantage of SIM's flexible scheduling capability. Support for ground- or space-based observations of candidate SIM targets is beyond the scope of this request.
This RFP is intended to identify new SIM observational programs or theoretical investigations that take full advantage of SIM’s capabilities for high astrometric precision, observing faint objects, or flexible observing cadence. Since SIM is a pointed mission for which selected targets can be observed optimally, the most fruitful science should result when the selection of targets for a particular research topic are carefully matched to yield the best science results. Of particular interest are new science objectives for SIM, and innovative theoretical developments, observing methods and/or data analysis techniques that have the potential to enhance the science return from SIM.
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As illustrated in Table 1 and discussed in more detail in Appendix A, SIM will be capable of absolute (wide-angle) astrometric measurements at the 4 mas level (end of mission accuracy) of objects as faint as V~19 mag and differential (narrow-angle) measurements at the <0.1 mas level (end of mission accuracy) for targets as faint as V~10 mag. With a SIM launch now envisioned sometime after 2015, proposers should consider the context in which SIM will be operating and propose science investigations that take into account potential ground-based and space based activities. especially ESA’s GAIA mission which will make lower precision observations than SIM (10-25 mas compared to 4 mas) but of a large number sources of intermediate brightness (7<V<15 mag, compared with SIM’s limit of 19 mag); fainter sources are observed with less precision due to photon noise while brighter sources are observed with less precision due to photon noise (Lindegren et al 2007; http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/4101_Lindegren.pdf). Whereas GAIA will typically observe a given object between roughly 75 times in the course of its mission, SIM can observe sources hundreds of times with a user specified cadence.
This opportunity does not include awards of observing time with SIM. Any proposal calls for observing with SIM are at least 3-5 years away, depending on the launch date for SIM, presently estimated to be between 2015-2017. Future opportunities to propose for observations with SIM will be announced by the Michelson Science Center through a call for General Observer and Legacy proposals. It should also be understood that neither selection nor rejection in this RFP will have a direct bearing on the outcome of future solicitations for SIM observing time.
Information on SIM is available online at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_index.cfm. A summary of current Key Science Projects is available at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_team.cfm. Proposers will find information on the expected capabilities of SIM as well as descriptions of the wide variety of scientific investigations possible with SIM in Unwin et al. (2008; PASP, 120, 38; http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/SIM_PASPpaper.pdf ). Approximately half of the available science time was competitively awarded to the Science Team through a NASA Announcement of Opportunity in 2000. Science team programs cover a range of science topics, from planet finding, to stellar astrophysics, to galactic dynamics and active galactic nuclei. It is expected that the GO/Legacy call will assign most of the remaining science time.
This RFP is open to investigators of any nationality from any U.S. organization, including educational institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), NASA Centers, and other government agencies. Only Principal Investigators from U.S. institutions may propose, but co-investigators from non-U.S. institutions are allowed. No funds may be sent to foreign institutions. The only exception to this policy is that current members of the SIM Science Team (Key Project PIs, mission, data, outreach and interdisciplinary scientists, etc) are not allowed to propose as Principal Investigators for these Science Studies. However, current SIM Science Team members may be Co-Investigators on Science Studies proposals. Current SIM Co-Investigators may be Principal or Co-Investigators on Science Studies proposals.
Details of the required materials to accompany each proposal are described in the appendices. Every effort has been made to simplify the proposal process, to encourage the maximum possible participation. A page limit has been imposed (Appendix C) to expedite the proposal and review process.
Proposals will be evaluated by a science peer review panel made up of scientists from the astrophysics community covering a broad range of disciplines. They will assess the overall scientific merit of the proposed research; its potential contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge; and its potential for enabling scientific investigations utilizing SIM, enhancing their interpretation, and/or by refining the knowledge needed to interpret specific SIM results. In addition to presenting a science program that would be scientifically compelling and relevant to NASA’s Strategic goals (http://msc.caltech.edu/documents/Science_Plan_07.pdf), successful proposals are expected to outline in general terms the observations that would be performed or the theoretical advances enabled by SIM observations. While proposers should demonstrate that their proposed investigation is feasible given SIM’s capabilities and give a brief description of the scope of the project (tens of hours, hundreds of hours, or ~1,000 hours; Appendix A), detailed observing plans, including target lists, integration times, etc. are not required.
Depending on the availability of funds, a total of approximately ten to twenty (15-20) Science Study proposals will be selected at approximate award levels of $25,000 (e.g., summer salary plus travel, page charges, etc), $50,000 (e.g., graduate student support plus travel, page charges, etc), up to a maximum of $75,000 (e.g., postdoc support plus travel, page charges, etc) as discussed in Appendix B. All studies will start in August 2008 and run for approximately one year. Each study will be expected to show in general terms that the proposed science is feasible (see Appendix A). At the end of the 1 year award period each study is expected to deliver a Final Report summarizing the results of their work.
To support these studies, the SIM Project plans to conduct a workshop at the Michelson Science Center in September, 2008, shortly after the successful proposals are announced. The workshop will be open to the astronomical community, but will be geared toward supporting the successful proposers to this Science Studies call. As well as presentations on the instrument performance and operation, there will be talks on current plans from the SIM Science Team, and opportunities for questions and answers. The objective is to provide enough information for awardees to conduct their science studies effectively.
We anticipate that all selected teams will participate in special sessions dedicated to SIM science at the Winter and Summer AAS meetings in 2009. Team representatives will present poster or oral descriptions of their activities with the Summer meeting serving as a forum for presenting near final results. To serve a record of the results of the SIM Science Studies program the Final Report (Appendix E) from each team will be included in an on-line website maintained at the MSC and optionally as a printed document from the SIM project. It is important to note that delivery of the Final Report will be a mandatory requirement for each study funded by this Research Announcement and will be due approximately 1 year after the contract start date.
The ability of JPL to award funds under this SIM Science Studies RFP is contingent upon the availability of funds from NASA. To be eligible for funding, proposals must be received by the deadline and meet the requirements laid out in the Appendices.
Appendix A. Description of SIM Mission
A.1 SIM Science Objectives
The Space Interferometer Mission (SIM) will be the first space-based long baseline Michelson interferometer designed for precision astrometry. SIM will contribute to many astronomical fields including stellar and galactic astrophysics, planetary systems around nearby stars, and the study of quasar and AGN nuclei. Using differential astrometry SIM will search for planets with masses as small as an Earth orbiting in the `habitable zone' around the nearest stars, and could discover many dozen if Earth-like planets are common. It will characterize the multiple-planet systems that are now known to exist, and it will be able to search for terrestrial planets around all of the candidate target stars in the Terrestrial Planet Finder and Darwin mission lists. It will be capable of detecting planets around young stars, thereby providing insights into how planetary systems are born and how they evolve with time. Precision astrometry allows the measurement of accurate dynamical masses for stars in binary systems. SIM will observe significant numbers of very high- and low-mass stars, providing stellar masses to 1%, the accuracy needed to challenge physical models. Using precision proper motion measurements, SIM will probe the Galactic mass distribution, and through studies of tidal tails, the formation and evolution of the Galactic halo. SIM will contribute to cosmology through improved accuracy of the Hubble Constant. With repeated astrometric measurements of the nuclei of active galaxies, SIM will probe the dynamics of accretion disks around supermassive black holes, and the relativistic jets that emerge from them.
As described in more detail in Unwin et al (2008), the Space Interferometer Mission (SIM) has been under active development since 1996. Recommended by the 1990 NRC Decadal Survey Bahcall (1990), SIM PlanetQuest entered its Formulation Phase (Phase A) in October 1997 and was approved to enter Phase B in August 2003. SIM was again endorsed by the 2000 NRC Decadal Survey (McKee and Taylor 2000). Technology development was completed in July, 2005, and formally signed off by NASA Headquarters in March, 2006, after extensive external independent review. Having completed nearly all of the Formulation Phase (Phase A/B), SIM is ready to enter the Implementation Phase, with mature designs, well understood schedule and cost, and low technical and cost risk. Unfortunately, there is no official launch date for SIM, since budget pressures on NASA's Science Mission Directorate have resulted in NASA delaying the Implementation Phase of the project. As part of the need to fit SIM into the heavily constrained NASA budget, several aspects of SIM have been redesigned for lower cost since the publication of the Unwin et al (2008) paper. This lower cost version of SIM is hereafter designated SIM-Lite in contrast to SIM/PlanetQuest described in Unwin et al (2008). The most important technical difference is the reduction in the instrumental baseline from 9 m to 6 m and an increase in the aperture size from 0.3 to 0.5 m. This change has had little effect on the ultimate performance of SIM at bright levels but comes at the cost of increased integration time that reduces the number of objects SIM can study about a factor of two. SIM-Lite’s limiting magnitude is raised by about a magnitude relative to SIM/PlanetQuest. Tables A.1 and A.2 present sensitivity information for SIM-Lite.
SIM makes its astrometric measurements with a pair Michelson (pupil-plane) interferometers. The “science” interferometer has a pair of 50 cm siderosats separated by a six meter baseline . An additional “guide” interferometer and a guide telescope observe V~ 7 mag guide stars to stabilize the science interferometer in inertial space during an observation sequence. SIM operates in the optical passband (approximately 400 – 950 nm). Operating for a minimum of a five-year prime mission, SIM will measure the apparent positions and motions of objects on the celestial sphere at limiting precisions of a few μas and μas/yr.
SIM’s orbit will be a heliocentric Earth-trailing orbit similar to the Spitzer Space Telescope orbit. In this orbit SIM will slowly drift away from the Earth at a rate of slightly more than 0.1 AU per year SIM’s Earth Trailing Solar Orbit (ETSO) provides the favorable thermal environment needed for precise metrology and the broad range of observing angles necessary for observing targets at high cadence throughout the year. SIM is designed for a five-year Science Operations Phase following a six month In-Orbit Checkout (IOC)/Science Verification (SV) period. However, SIM will carry a supply of expendables for at least 10 years, leaving open the possibility of an extended SIM mission. In a 10-year mission scenario, SIM would add science investigations in an expanded general observer (GO) program, further improve the astrometric reference grid, and extend the mission time baseline benefiting target orbit, proper motion, and parallax estimates.
SIM measures apparent astrometric positions and motions of objects by means of repeated systematic coverage of the available celestial sphere over its mission lifetime. In order to protect the instrument and maintain thermal stability SIM will maintain several line-of-sight exclusion regions on the sky, the most important being the solar exclusion region – roughly speaking the instrument may not point within approximately 60º of the sun. This solar exclusion restriction means that roughly 3π sr of the 4π sr sky is available at any instant, and as the spacecraft orbits the sun the full 4π sr sky becomes accessible.
A.2 SIM Observing Modes
SIM supports several different observing modes: both global and narrow-angle astrometry, interferometric visibility, and photometry measurement. Each of these observing modes are introduced in turn. Tables A.1 and A.2 or the web tools at http://mscws4.ipac.caltech.edu/simtools/portal/login/normal/1 (§A.4) should be used for estimating observing time for SIM targets of various magnitudes and required accuracy.
A.2.1 Global Astrometry
SIM global astrometry measures the absolute astrometric properties (e.g. position, proper motion, and trigonometric parallax) for objects that may or may not move simply with respect to the solar system barycenter. Absolute in this sense means referenced against the SIM global astrometric frame (the SIM astrometric “grid”), constrained to be irrotational and having negligible parallax bias at the level of SIM astrometry using ties to a set of distant quasars. Typical science cases for global astrometry are driven by the desire to establish an absolute distance to a target (so as to determine target luminosity) or absolute proper motion of a target (to estimate the target’s galactic orbit).
Target global astrometric properties are estimated by modeling multiple apparent position observations taken over a finite time period. This period is typically several years, to allow for the proper separation of target proper motion and apparent trigonometric parallax. The standard SIM data product output from a global astrometry experiment is the estimate of (mid-mission) position, proper motion, and parallax expressed in the SIM reference frame.
A.2.2 Differential Astrometry
SIM differential astrometry use cases are typically focused on measuring apparent motions that are different from/more complex than apparent proper motion and parallax. The two most common examples are the motion of stars in binary systems, and the measurement of the reflex motion of stars due to planetary companions. Differential astrometry measurements do not typically require a high-quality tie to a global inertial reference frame, but instead can be supported by measurements in a relative frame defined by a set of angularly near reference stars. Assuming these reference stars are quasi-inertial at the relevant scale allows the desired measurement of the target motion. As in the case of global astrometry, the essence of differential astrometry experiments is modeling the apparent motions manifested in multiple apparent position measurements taken over a finite time span.
These apparent “complex” motions for differential astrometry use cases can either be periodic (e.g. resulting from stable orbits of associated objects) with known or unknown period, or aperiodic (e.g. apparent astrometric excursions in microlensing events). The measurement cadence strategies for these uses cases must support these variations. Further, in most cases the apparent complex motion of the target is superimposed on the apparent relative motion (e.g. relative proper motion and parallax) between the target and any reference stars. Differential astrometry data reduction will entail the measurement of motions in addition to the relative proper motion and parallax between the target and the reference stars.
A.2.3 Photometry & Visibility Measurements
While SIM is primarily an astrometric mission, certain investigations may wish to consider single-epoch photometric or interferometric visibility measurements from SIM’s unique perspective outside Earth’s atmosphere and in earth trailing orbit. SIM will support single-epoch photometry with milli-mag accuracy and/or visibility measurements with <1% precision. Multi-epoch visibility and/or photometry monitoring experiments can be constructed from multiple single-epoch visits, but unlike the astrometric modes the visibility and photometry operational modes are not inherently multi-epoch. The standard SIM data product output from a photometry and/or visibility measurement is an estimate of the visibility amplitude or phasor estimates or flux estimate in each SIM spectrometer channel. As described in Unwin et al (2008; §15), SIM will be able to make simple synthetic aperture “images” of sources within the ~0.5” FOV of a 0.5 m siderostat with 15 mas angular resolution by rotating its 6 m baseline around the line of sight. Simulations show that SIM can image targets in the range 17 < V < 19 mag in just a few hours of observing time and achieve a dynamic range of 6 magnitudes on targets with V<15 mag. As a rule of thumb the integration time needed to achieve a 1% visibility measurement in a 20% optical passband is roughly the same as that needed to achieve a 15 mas single measurement accuracy observation (see Table A.2). Reconstructing a full "image" will require 6-12 separate measurements taken at 15-30 deg intervals of rotation around the line of sight.
A.3 Categories of SIM Observing Programs
The SIM Science Team was selected via a NASA Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in November 2000. The team comprises the Principal Investigators of ten Key Projects, and five Mission Scientists contributing their expertise to specific areas of the mission. Their science programs cover a wide range of topics in Galactic and extragalactic astronomy. They include: searches for low-mass planets - including analogs to our own solar system -- the formation and dynamics of our Galaxy, calibration of the cosmic distance scale, and fundamental stellar astrophysics. All of the science observing on SIM is competitively awarded. Of the available mission time available for science observations, approximately 50% is assigned to the Science Team programs; the remaining time is currently open and will be assigned via future NASA competitions. More than half of the time assigned so far has been allocated to non-planet related general astrophysics programs. Copies of the team’s successful proposals can be found at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_team.cfm.
There are four anticipated categories of SIM observing programs:
• Key Project science investigations each use a significant amount of SIM time (≥1% of science mission time, ~1,500 hours). The Principal Investigators of SIM Key Projects serve on the SIM Science Team. One or more additional Key Projects may be selected in future NASA solicitations.
• Mission Scientists may also use a significant amount of SIM time, but are included on the SIM Science Team for the specialized knowledge they bring to the project on a variety of topics. Selected mission scientists may act in an interdisciplinary role.
• General Observers (GOs) proposals will fall into the a) "Small" (tens of hours) or b) "Medium" (hundreds of hours) categories to observe either a modest number of at full SIM precision or in a ‘Snapshot Mode’ that will be optimized for efficient measurement of parallax and proper motion or binary orbits, etc. Typical parameters for Snapshot Mode might be, position ~10 μas (1-sigma), parallax ~15 μas, and proper motion (for a 2-year baseline) ~17 μas for objects brighter than 16 mag.
• Archival research as SIM data become publicly available.
A.4 SIM Web Resources For Proposers
Mission/General Description: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_index.cfm
NASA Strategic Plan: http://msc.caltech.edu/documents/Science_Plan_07.pdf
Science Goals Summary: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_science_goals.cfm
Science Team: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_team.cfm
Astronomer's Site: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_AstroIndex.cfm
Sensitivity and Performance Estimation: http://mscws4.ipac.caltech.edu/simtools/portal/login/normal/1
Sollicitation Description Page:
http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/index.html
Proposal Submission Portal: https://cat.ipac.caltech.edu/sim/proposal.html
MSC Privacy Policy: http://msc.caltech.edu/about/privacy.html
Appendix B. General Instructions for Responding to this RFP
B.1 Eligibility
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to investigators of any nationality from any U.S. organization, including educational institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), NASA Centers, and other government agencies. Principal Investigators must be affiliated with a U.S.-based institution. U.S.-based Co-Investigators on approved proposals may be funded via a sub-award issued by the PI’s home institution or directly by the MSC/JPL. The justification for and amount of funding to be provided to each investigator must be specified in the proposal and cost plan. Direct funding of less than $25,000 must be done with a sub-award from the PI’s home institution.
SIM Science Team members (Key Project PIs, mission, data, outreach and interdisciplinary scientists, etc) are not allowed to propose as Principal Investigators for these Science Studies. However, current SIM Science Team members may be Co-Investigators on Science Studies proposals. Current SIM Co-Investigators may be Principal or Co-Investigators on Science Studies proposals.
There is no limit to the number of proposals that may be submitted by a Principal Investigator or by Co-Investigators. Proposals should not contain classified information or depend on access or use of classified information or facilities for any portion of the proposed activities. The Principal Investigator may withdraw a proposal from consideration at any time prior to the completion of the selection process.
Note that neither NASA nor JPL/Caltech will be responsible for any cost incurred in preparing or submitting a proposal.
B.2 Only One Principal Investigator (PI)
Each proposal must identify a single individual who will serve as Principal Investigator (PI) and will be responsible for the scientific and administrative conduct of the study. There is no limit to the number of Co-Investigators (Co-Is) that may appear on a proposal. Graduate students may apply as principal investigators. Before applying they should check with their advisors regarding any specific requirements of their home institution regarding proposal submission.
B.3 MSC Assistance
The MSC web site at http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/index.html has proposal guidelines and templates and instructions to help you put together a proposal. Questions may be sent to SIMproposals@ipac.caltech.edu. Questions from potential respondents and answers from the MSC will be posted on the following website: http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/FAQ.html
B.4 Proposal Submission Deadline
The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, June 13, 2008 (5:00 pm PDT). Proposals may be submitted any time prior to the deadline. Proposals received after the deadline will not be
considered.
B.5 Proposal Confidentiality
Proposals submitted in response to this RFP will be kept confidential to the extent allowed by the review process. For approved investigations only, the MSC will make the titles, investigator names, and abstracts publicly available after the selections are announced. The remainder of the approved proposal, and the entirety of proposals not selected, shall remain confidential.
If a proposal contains proprietary information that should not be used and /or disclosed for any purpose other than the proposal evaluation, it should be clearly marked by placing the following legend on a separate page that does not count against the proposal page limit:
“NOTICE: The information (data) contained in [insert page numbers or other identification] of this proposal constitutes a trade secret and/or information that is commercial or financial and confidential or privileged. It is furnished to the Government and the Michelson Science Center / California Institute of Technology (“Institute”) in confidence with the understanding that it will not, without permission of the proposer, be used or disclosed other than for evaluation purposes; provided, however, that in the event a contract (or other agreement) is awarded on the basis of this proposal, the Government or the Institute shall have the right to use and disclose this information (data) to the extent provided in the contract (or other agreement). This restriction does not limit the Government’s or Institute’s right to use or disclose this information (data) if obtained from another source without restriction.”
B.6 Proposal Submission
Proposals must be submitted to the MSC electronically consistent with the page and format guidelines contained explained in Appendix C.
B.7 Funding Support
Study proposals may request proposals at three levels of support: a) approximately $25,000 appropriate for summer salary plus travel; b) approximately $50,000 appropriate for graduate student support plus travel; or c) maximum amount of $75,000 appropriate for postdoctoral fellowship support plus travel. The MSC will manage SIM Science Study funds and will contract with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to administer the disbursement of most of the funds. The funding instrument used by JPL will depend on the nature of the Principal Investigator’s home institution. These are described in the sections below.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide funding for all studies, subject to the availability of NASA funds. Only investigators affiliated with U.S.-based institutions are eligible for funding support. Under this RFP NASA research funds cannot be awarded to investigators affiliated with non-U.S. institutions. While non-US based Co-Is are permitted on a proposal, no NASA funds may flow to them through the PIs. Researchers affiliated with non- U.S. institutions should seek support through their own appropriate funding agencies.
Cost effectiveness and reasonableness are a substantial factor in the evaluation of all proposals
B.7.1 Overview of Research Funding Instruments
The funding instrument used by JPL will depend on the nature of the Principal Investigator’s home institution.
B.7.1.2 CREI – Cost Reimbursement with an Educational Institution
CREIs are a standard JPL contract used to fund studies at educational institutions. These contracts require institutionally endorsed budgets, which are provided and evaluated with all proposals.
B.7.1.3 Other JPL Contracts
If the PI’s home institution cannot accept CREIs (e.g. a for-profit organization) then the PI’s home institution will be funded by JPL with a fixed price contract.
B.7.1.4 Direct NASA Funding
Investigators affiliated with NASA Centers or other government agencies will receive their award funds directly from NASA, based on guidance provided by the MSC/JPL. The MSC / JPL will provide NASA Headquarters with the Principal Investigator’s home institution, and funding amounts, and NASA Headquarters sends these funds directly to the appropriate NASA centers or government laboratory.
B.7.2 Allowable Costs
Reimbursable costs are governed by applicable Federal Acquisition Regulations (available online at http://www.arnet.gov/far/) and proposers are urged to consult the Sponsored Research Office (or equivalent) of their home institution for guidance. Brief guidelines of what constitutes allowable costs are described below.
B.7.2.1 Salaries and Wages
Direct labor costs for participants should be included and itemized. NASA funds may not be used to pay more than a person’s full-time salary or to pay more than an individual’s hourly wage rate. An investigator may not normally be reimbursed for consulting or other work in addition to a regular full-time institutional salary covering the same period of employment. It is assumed that most scientists are affiliated with institutions that will make substantial support available for study activities (e.g., computer facilities, collaboration with other scientists, students, or research assistants).
B.7.2.2 Research Assistance
Direct labor costs for graduate students, post-doctoral associates, data aides, and secretarial and technical support should be included and itemized. Only the total number of persons and the total amount of salaries per year in each category are required. All such salaries must be in accordance with the standard policies of the institution assuming responsibility for the project.
B.7.2.3 Fringe Benefits
If an institution’s usual accounting practices provide that its contributions to employee “benefits” (Social Security, retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs, funds may be requested for all applicable fringe benefits. In this case, proposers must break out the associated costs and list them as a separate cost component within the direct labor element.
B.7.2.4 Publication Costs
Reasonable costs for publication of research results obtained from a SIM research investigation should be included as a component of Other Direct Costs.” “
B.7.2.5 Travel
Itemized transportation and subsistence costs for project personnel to plan, obtain, analyze, and disseminate direct results of a SIM science study should be included. Proposers must include origin/destination, number of travelers, number of trips, and costs associated with each, and include this information as a component of Other Direct Costs.
B.7.2.6 Computer Services
The itemized costs of computer time and software for the analysis of SIM data should be included. Details of the services and software that will be used must be fully described and justified in the proposal, and included as a component of “Other Direct Costs.”
B.7.2.7 Equipment
Itemized equipment costs, including computers or related hardware, should be included and accompanied by a detailed justification in the budget narrative. In general, the title to approved equipment purchased for $5,000 or less will be vested with the Contractor (i.e. the investigator’s institution). The title to equipment costing in excess of $5,000 will be vested with the U.S. Government, unless JPL and/or NASA indicate otherwise in writing. In either case, if the proposer seeks title to the equipment, it must be noted in their cost narrative.
B.7.2.8 Materials and Supplies
The itemized costs of materials and supplies directly related to the SIM research investigation may be included, provided such costs are not already reimbursed through indirect costs or some other means. These costs should be included as a component of “Other Direct
Costs.”
B.7.2.9 Indirect Costs (IDCs)
Indirect costs may be proposed, provided that the IDC rate used in the budget is based on a Negotiation Agreement with the Federal Government, or its designated agent.
Appendix C: Proposal Requirements
C.1 Proposal Requirements
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All proposals must be written in English and every page of the printable PDF version must have one-inch margins on all sides on 8.5 × 11-inch paper. Color figures or tables can be included but copies for reviewers will only be in black-and-white. The PDF file size limit for submission is 10 megabytes, so extremely large or complex color figures may not be acceptable. No preprints or reprints should accompany the proposal as they won’t be forwarded to reviewers. Proposals will be provided to reviewers as PDF files. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that their PDF file is legible when opened with Acrobat Reader. You must submit a PDF version of your proposal; if you do not have the full version of Acrobat with which you can create a PDF file, then check the web for a variety of free PDF converters. The page limits provided in Table C.1 MUST be followed to submit your proposal in PDF format. Proposals that exceed the page limits will be edited by the MSC, and the excess pages removed. Proposals with flagrant violations of the page limits, font size, etc. will be deemed ‘not responsive to this RFP and will be rejected without review.
C.2. Science Justification
Proposals must include a clear and complete statement of the study’s science goals and describe the importance of the specific topic to broad questions in astronomy and astrophysics. In particular, it will be helpful to note the relevance of the proposed topic to goals laid out in NASA’s Strategic plan (http://msc.caltech.edu/documents/Science_Plan_07.pdf). The proposal should address why SIM’s capabilities are uniquely suited to the area of research. The observing program concept must provide clear justification for the selected SIM observing mode and proposed astrometric sensitivity levels. The science concept and its underlying rationale should be readily comprehensible to broad-based scientists. Proposers should be aware that the peer review process will use external scientists for reviewers. While reviewers will be selected for their expertise, there may not be an expert for the research you propose. Therefore, proposals should be written for a knowledgeable, but broad-based, general community of scientists.
Please do NOT embed figures or tables here or in the technical section. Figures and tables in support of your science justification must be segregated onto separate pages that make up Section 3.
C.3 Technical Approach
This section contains the technical details for your science study, both in how you propose to carry out the actual study and an initial feasibility estimate of the SIM observing time needed to carry out your program (see Tables A.1 and A.2 for sensitivity information). This section should help reviewers easily understand the technical nature of your approach for carrying out your study. The technical approach must include a description of the steps and activities that will be carried out to accomplish the proposed study (see Appendix E). Figures and tables in support of your technical approach must be segregated onto separate pages and not embedded in the technical approach text. If your study would lead a new and/or better observational mode for SIM , explain the observation strategy you propose, as well as the reasons for it.
Include estimates of target brightness levels and based on those brightness estimates, include your estimate and justification of what level of astrometric accuracy (parallax, proper motion, orbital coverage, etc) and necessary S/N values you need to accomplish your science. The tables in Appendix A and the sensitivity webtools (http://mscws4.ipac.caltech.edu/simtools/portal/login/normal/1 ) will assist in making these rough estimates. These will be refined in the course of the study.
If your study would develop a new data analysis method and/or data products the technical plan should describe the data analysis approach you intend to take, and the extent to which currently planned data products would contribute towards achieving your scientific goals.
Finally, provide a description of the responsibilities and capabilities of each Co-Investigator.
C 3.1 Figures and Tables
Two pages of figures and tables may be included in your proposal. All figures and tables should be consolidated into two separate pages and appear after the Technical Approach section. Color figures or tables can be included but the MSC will only reproduce proposals in black-and-white. Figures should be of adequate size to comprehend. The PDF file size limit for submission is 10 megabytes so extremely large or complex color figures may not be acceptable. Figure captions and tables may be listed in a font size no smaller than 10-point.
C 3.2 References
One page of references may be included in your prop