2026 Request for Information (RFI) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data 8-28-2026.pdf

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS)

National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Ocean and Tsunami Center (OTC) U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC)

Request for Information (RFI)

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data

This RFI notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. It is not a request for quotes nor does it obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. Additionally, this RFI notice does not guarantee that the government will issue a request for quotes or award a contract for supplies or services.

I. GENERAL

The National Weather Service (NWS), Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) has a need for georeferenced GeoTIFFs of global coverage in accessible electronic format 24/7/365 and with the capability of near-real-time latency.

SAR imagery’s benefits remain helpful to the persistence of USNIC’s operational programs of earth surface observation in the poor weather or illumination conditions of the polar latitudes. Near-real-time latency is considered to be the capability of delivering images deemed to be time critical to USNIC no more than approximately four (4) hours from time of satellite acquisition. Delivery beyond this period prohibits the USNIC from fulfilling an operational requirement to produce timely products and respond to tactical needs.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 517410, Satellite Telecommunications.

II. INFORMATION REQUESTED

The attached draft Statement of Work (SOW) to this RFI provides additional context to the overall effort.

The Government requests the following information:

Section 1: Corporate and Operational Control

1.1 Describe your organization's chain of operational control over the SAR constellation(s) you propose to utilize. Specifically, identify whether you are the constellation Owner/Operator, or an Integrated Prime utilizing third-party satellite networks. If utilizing third parties, detail the technical and contractual mechanisms that grant you direct, machine-to-machine tasking authority and prioritization control.

Section 2: Satellite Tasking and Capacity

2.1 The SOW requires the ability to place urgent tactical tasking requests with a latency of four hours from order to acquisition. Describe your commercial tasking tiers (e.g., Urgent, Priority, Routine) and the minimum required window from tasking submission to sensor acquisition for your highest priority tier.

2.2 The SOW outlines a 72-hour cancellation window without penalty. Does this align with your standard commercial practice? If your systems support automated cancellation closer to the acquisition time (e.g., 24 hours) without penalty, explicitly state this threshold.

Section 3: Technical Products and Polar Performance

3.1 The USNIC relies heavily on C-band dual-polarization imagery for ice stage-of-development analysis. If your constellation operates in a different frequency (e.g., X-band), provide empirical evidence or case studies demonstrating how your specific capabilities can functionally satisfy ice classification and iceberg detection requirements.

3.2 To achieve the 60,000,000 square kilometer annual capacity, the Government anticipates heavy reliance on wide-swath Scan modes. Provide the standard dimensions (swath width and length) and associated resolutions of your widest imaging modes, and state any technical limitations on utilizing these modes at extreme polar latitudes or for ice classification.

Section 4: Latency and Delivery

4.1 The SOW mandates a strict four-hour data latency from sensor acquisition to final delivery on Government servers. Is this achievable across your entire constellation for polar collections, or is it dependent on specific ground-station passes (e.g., Svalbard)?

4.2 The Government currently requires the generation and simultaneous delivery of low-bandwidth Rendered Imagery (e.g., compressed, downsampled) for deployed tactical assets to allow access to deployed USNIC personnel at the lowest latency possible. Is this automated pipeline natively available in your current commercial architecture, or does it require custom engineering?

Section 5: Pricing and Commercial Structure

5.1 Provide your recommended Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) or other structural model for acquiring 60,000,000 square kilometers of wide-swath imagery annually.

5.2 Relative to a standard 24-hour latency delivery, what is the approximate cost premium associated with guaranteeing a four-hour data latency SLA? (e.g., 10% premium, 50% premium, flat rate premium)

Section 6: Licensing and Data Rights

6.1 Review the Government’s data rights outlined in SOW Section 8, specifically the rights for possible perpetual retention by the US Government, creation of AI/ML derived products, rights to downstream US Government created Derived Products, and Source Imagery sharing with the North American Ice Service. Identify any specific clauses that conflict with your upstream EULAs or that would generate severe pricing premiums or preclude yourself as a possible vending candidate.

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

Response Limitations: We request each item in Section II be included in your submission. Your complete submission may include additional supporting figures, tables, graphics, pictures, or appendices. There is no page limitation. Any supporting materials included in your submission should be relevant to the capabilities that you can provide in relation to Section I. General.

Submission Deadline: Please send your submission via email to the attention of Contacting Officer (CO) Graham Chapman (graham.chapman@noaa.gov) no later than September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM PST. Each page should be separately numbered. All responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format.

Please review and respond to the following market research questions regarding business size.

● Please indicate your business classification for NAICS Code 517410, Satellite Telecommunications (Size Standard of $35 Million) below:

☐ Small Business ☐ Other Than Small Business

● If your business classification is Small Business, do you anticipate remaining under the size standard of $15 Million or $32 Million for the next two years?

☐ Yes ☐ No

● If your business classification is Small Business, do you qualify under any of the following certification programs and socio-economic categories?

☐ HUBZone

☐ Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) ☐Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) ☐ 8(a)

● GSA Schedule Number if applicable

This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice will not be returned. In submitting a response, the responder is solely responsible and accountable for all the expenses associated with the response.

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