Attachment 1 UAIB Environmental Controls SON_FINAL.pdf

Objective:

Statement of Need (SON) WFO Gray, Maine - WFO Wilmington, Ohio -WFO Morehead City, NC

Prevent damage and reduced efficiency of the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Upper Air Facilities' hydrogen generators by mitigating the risks associated with low temperatures and freezing conditions. A heat load analysis was conducted by the hydrogen generator design and installation firm. Insulating the building will not produce the desired results due to the complex array of piping, valves and electrical wall mounted assemblies. These conditions can impair system efficiency to the point of zero gas output and cause significant damage, potentially leading to repair costs exceeding $15,000. As a result, these facilities have been forced to shut down hydrogen generation in extreme temperatures to reduce the likelihood of damage to these complex systems. This impacts their ability to launch upper air balloon soundings with no lifting gas.

Eastern Region sites affected by such conditions include:

Location 1: NWS WFO - Gray, Maine Location 2: NWS WFO - Wilmington, Ohio Location 3: NWS WFO - Morehead City, North Carolina

Proposed solution:

Furnish and install a climate control system designed to operate year-round and ensure interior temperatures between 50°F and 75°F in a small insulated cement block structure.

1. EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION AND SIZING (Three locations)

Location 1: NWS Weather Forecast Office – Gray, ME (GYX) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Gray/Portland, ME 1 Weather Lane Gray, ME 04039

WFO Gray, ME (GYX) – Site Specific Equipment Specification and Sizing Cold-climate mini-split heat pump system:

Minimum 13,000 BTU/hr heating at -5°F Minimum 12,000 BTU/hr cooling at 103°F

Backup electric resistance wall-mounted heater:

Minimum output: 15,000 BTU/hr (approx. 4,400W at 240V)

Initial Load Estimate Infiltration heating load: ~7,700 BTU/hr Conduction loss: ~5,500 BTU/hr (estimated 800 ft² surface, R-13) Total worst-case winter heating requirement: ~13,000 BTU/hr

Location 2: NWS Weather Forecast Office – Wilmington, OH (ILN)

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Wilmington, OH 1901 South State Route 134 Wilmington, OH 45177

WFO Wilmington, OH (ILN) - Site Specific Equipment Specification and Sizing

Cold-climate mini-split heat pump system:

Minimum 13,000 BTU/hr heating at -5°F Minimum 12,000 BTU/hr cooling at 111°F

Backup electric resistance heater:

Minimum 15,000 BTU/hr (approx. 4,400W at 240V)

Initial Load Estimate Infiltration heating load: ~5,800 BTU/hr Conduction loss: ~4,100 BTU/hr (estimated 800 ft² surface, R-13) Total worst-case winter heating requirement: ~10,000 BTU/hr

Location 3: NWS Weather Forecast Office – Morehead City, NC (MHX

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Newport/Morehead City, NC 533 Roberts Rd Newport, NC 28570

WFO Morehead City, NC (MHX) - Site Specific Equipment Specification and Sizing Heat pump system (standard efficiency, not cold-climate):

Minimum 10,000 BTU/hr heating capacity at 10°F Minimum 12,000 BTU/hr cooling at 107°F

Note: No backup electric resistance heater at this location

Initial Load Estimate Infiltration heating load: ~5,100 BTU/hr Conduction loss: ~3,200 BTU/hr (estimated 800 ft² surface, R-13) Total worst-case winter heating requirement: ~8,300 BTU/hr

2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

• Primary climate control by heat pump

• Supplemental resistance heat to engage during low temp events or as failover

3. CONTROL AND MONITORING

• Programmable thermostat with automatic switching

• Temperature sensors with low-temperature cutoff alarms

4. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

• Install all units, supports, electrical, drainage, and wall penetrations

• NEC, Gray, ME, Wilmington, OH and Morehead City, NC building code compliant

5. PERFORMANCE AND TESTING

• Verify functional operation across all ranges

• Test electric heater automatic engagement at low temp threshold

6. DOCUMENTATION AND WARRANTY

• Verify functional operation across all ranges

• Test backup electric heater automatic engagement at low temp threshold

7. APPROVED MANUFACTURERS (OTHERS BY REVIEW AND APPROVAL)

Location 1 and 2 (Gray, ME and Wilmington, OH) Approved Mini-Split Heat Pumps (13–18k BTU/hr) Manufacturers and model examples:

Mitsubishi SUZ-AA15NLHZ Daikin FTX15NMVJUA Panasonic CU-XZ15AKUAC

Location 1 and 2 (Gray, ME and Wilmington, OH) Approved Electric Resistance Heaters (5000W Class) Manufacturers and model examples:

Berko HUHAA520 Dayton 804T16 QMark MUH0581

Location 3 (Morehead City, NC) Approved Mini-Split Heat Pumps (10-13k BTU/hr) Manufacturers and model examples:

Mitsubishi SUZ-AA12NLHZ Daikin FTX12NMVJUA Panasonic CU-XZ12AKUAC

8. SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS: Deliver and installation will be coordinated with on-site personnel after award is issued.

9. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Date of Award – November 30, 2025

10. NOAA Point of Contact:

• Contracting Officer: Nick Brown, (303)578-8818, Nicholas.g.brown@noaa.gov

• Technical Point of Contact: John Compo (631) 244-0139

• Technical Point of Contact: Joe Pisel (631) 456-9072 mailto:Nicholas.g.brown@noaa.gov