Attachment 1 - DRAFT Performance Work Statement Air Survey Flights (Cook Islands).pdf

145034-24-0032

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML)

Atmospheric Research Air Sampling Survey Flights

PURPOSE:

The NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) requires research quality, calibrated measurements of atmospheric trace gases (e.g. CO2, CH4, CO, H2, N2O, SF6), and associated meteorological measurements (pressure, temperature, humidity), from several different altitudes up to approximately 20,000 ft. ASL at the Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network

(GGGRN) atmospheric sampling site located over the island of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands.

These atmospheric trace gas measurements will be incorporated into NOAA’s ‘CarbonTracker’

Data Assimilation System.

GML requires very accurate and precise, long-term measurements of greenhouse gases and other trace species from this carefully chosen site, which is a regionally representative research measurement location in the southern Pacific Ocean. This site was initially chosen based on several different scientific and technical requirements (including modeling studies of several different network designs, calculations of influence functions representative of several measurement locations, and the presence of nearby collaborators and related atmospheric air sampling and measurement programs). The requirements were chosen to meet the measurement needs of the NOAA scientific program, including the investigation of regional scale carbon sources and sinks. GML has an existing semi-automated air sampling system and meteorological instrument suite capable of meeting the stringent requirements of accuracy and precision, but these systems must be installed and flown regularly on a small aircraft at the appropriate location in order to acquire the needed measurements.

The measurements are required to meet the needs of the NOAA scientific program. GML requires these measurements within a larger network of sites in North America (this North

American portion of the GGGRN is an integral component of the North American Carbon

Program) and worldwide to study the variation of greenhouse gases with height and location, which will enable GML and other scientists to better quantify the North American terrestrial biosphere’s uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Quantifying the North American carbon budget and identifying implications for the global carbon cycle are priority items outlined in the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Strategic Plan. The GGGRN’s North

American network is directed toward this end. In addition, the success of this network is tied directly to NOAA corporate level performance measures and to a Government Performance and

Results Act (GPRA) performance measure.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

The vendor will, upon request, provide the following deliverables to GML during the period of performance of this purchase agreement:

A. Carry out atmospheric research air sampling survey flights and collect air samples and meteorological measurements (using GML provided equipment) from a specified

145034-24-0032 sequence of altitudes over a fixed geographic location (from the existing GGGRN measurement site located over the island of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands)

B. Coordinate with GML for shipment of all equipment, relevant samples, and measurements collected with regard to these research flights

C. Provide local support during infrequent GML maintenance site visits

The vendor must have general familiarity with aircraft-based instrumentation and equipment, and sampling protocols, used for the collection and measurement of trace gas compounds in the atmosphere. In particular, the vendor must have GML instrumentation and equipment installed on the vendor’s aircraft (including obtaining any required Cook Islands Ministry of Transport or other government approvals) and demonstrate technical competence working with this instrumentation and equipment used for research-grade measurements of atmospheric trace gases and related meteorological parameters. The GML instrumentation will consist of a semi-automated atmospheric air sampling system and associated meteorological equipment. The operation of the equipment will include handling heavy shipping crates and air sample packages.

The sampling flight profiles will be specified for each flight, but typically will begin at approximately 20,000 ft. ASL, down to a minimum altitude consistent with safety considerations and flight regulations (as determined by vendor) within the atmospheric boundary layer

(typically 1,000 to 3,000 ft. AGL). The typical flight duration (takeoff to landing) will be approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, but will depend upon the particular flight profile required and safety considerations (as determined by vendor). The scheduling of the flights will be dependent upon local weather conditions consistent with safe aircraft operation (as determined by vendor), annual research funding levels, and the research requirements of GML.

DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE:

No specific delivery schedule