Sci-Tech Statement of Work Final Draft 12-22-09.doc

Statement of Work for

NOAA PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL

NEXT GENERATION (SCI-TECH NG)

CONTRACT SUPPORT

INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY

CONTRACT

December 2009

1.0 BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is one of several bureaus of the U.S. Department of Commerce, a cabinet level agency of the executive branch of the United States of America. NOAA is challenged to play a national leading role in assessing and predicting environmental changes, protecting life and property, providing decision makers with reliable scientific environmental information, managing national living marine and coastal resources, and fostering global environmental stewardship. NOAA and the nation depend on the cutting-edge science provided by its research programs which depend critically on contractor based scientific and technical support services. NOAA’s civil service employees are supported by scientific and technical service contracts to provide the technology necessary for NOAA to: a) serve society's needs for weather and water information; b) lead efforts to understand, monitor, and enhance society's ability to respond climate variability; c) protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management; and; d) support commerce with information for safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation.

The average citizen benefits, for example, through earlier warnings of threatening weather, healthier coasts and fisheries. The private sector uses NOAA data to make business decisions and leverages NOAA science, technology and information into provision of value-added commercial services. Federal agencies, state governments, and local authorities depend on NOAA scientific and technical expertise and science-based products as the basis of crucial policy decisions related to environmental protection and restoration strategies. Working together with interagency, academic, domestic and international colleagues, NOAA researchers are recognized for their contributions to advancing scientific understanding, and providing scientifically sound assessments of global environmental issues. NOAA places a premium on peer review, and on external scientific collaboration and partnership with other federal agencies and with academia.

Under the broad themes of Climate, Weather and Water, Oceans and Ecosystems, Commerce & Transportation and Mission Support, NESDIS and NOAA scientists and technical personnel, with contractor support services, study the Earth’s natural environments from the ocean's depths, to the upper reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere, and even to the Sun itself. NOAA’s long-term commitment to the highest quality research requires optimizing the allocation of in-house talent and contractor support to:

· Conduct scientific and technical research and experiments to better understand natural physical, biophysical, geochemical, ecological systems and processes

· Develop predictive models for use in weather, climate, solar, ocean, coastal and ecological assessments and predictions;

· Develop and deploy new observing systems technologies to provide data to document natural variability, and to enable model-based prediction and other decision support capabilities;

· Develop new analytical and forecast tools to improve weather services;

· Develop and use new information technology to disseminate crucial data and information within the federal and academic research community, and to the public and other decision-makers;

· Develop scientific assessments and information products to enhance public education and guide governmental action.

NOAA has an ongoing requirement for Scientific and Technical Support Services across NOAA’s enterprise, and seeks to realize greater efficiency and effectiveness in addressing its missions. To this end, NOAA is establishing multiple indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) task order service contracts. Under each of these contracts, funded task orders for performance based technical services will be competed and awarded to one (or more) of the contractor awardee(s). This will be a NOAA-wide contract that expands the ordering community and achieves economies of scale by leveraging the volumes of NOAA’s contracted support services.

NOAA is establishing this IDIQ contract to assist in achieving the aforementioned objectives across the NOAA enterprise. The Contractor(s) shall, in response to task orders issued under this contract, provide services that encompass the critical areas of Scientific and Technical services that span the entire spectrum of mission areas supported by NOAA’s various offices. Services within the functional areas identified in this document may be performed under this contract for existing, new, and developing product areas, programs, or missions, which are, or may be, assigned to these NOAA activities during the 5 year life of the contract.

This baseline Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the general requirements that will be used to acquire professional scientific and technical support services.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

NOAA is comprised of several line offices. Those highlighted below are engaged in scientific and technical support services, including aspects of basic and applied scientific research, which are included explicitly in this acquisition. However, participation is not restrictive, and other NOAA organizations with significant scientific activities will be eligible to use this contract vehicle in pursuit of those scientific purposes.

· The National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) manages the nation’s operational environmental satellites, and delivers satellite products used in environmental assessments and prediction.

· The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and habitats.

· The National Ocean Service (NOS) is the nation's premier science agency for oceans and coasts.

· The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) guides basic and applied research that under-girds NOAA’s products and services.

· The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas.

This acquisition requires professional scientific and technical support services to augment in-house Government programs, projects, missions, and capabilities. It is intended to capture those activities that involve the creation, execution, assessment and application of technical knowledge to the mission of NOAA in providing scientifically-based guidance for environmental decisions. The work intended under the scope of this contract requires contractors and staff with experience in the theoretical and practical aspects of a supporting a scientific enterprise. The work will often require Ph.D. and Master’s level staff with academic specialties in Atmospheric, Oceanic, Geological, Geophysical, Hydrological, Cryospheric, Biophysical, Ecological, Space Environments, as well as numerous technical sub-specialties. At minimum, all staff will have solid foundations in one or more basic sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics, Computational physics, or Information Systems. Most will have skills in scientific programming, and/or science information systems experience. Some projects may require individuals with interdisciplinary perspectives and specialized training in archeological methods, social sciences, and economic analysis, for example. All will be versed in the principles and investigative methods common to all physical, engineering, and life sciences, and skilled in the application of state of the art mathematical, computational, and analytical methods and tools used in their technical specialty.

Depending on the particular NOAA Line Office, program, or project to be supported, the combinations of science backgrounds and skills needed will vary. In NESDIS’ Center for Satellite Research & Applications (STAR) for example, familiarity with optical and electro-mechanical sensor technologies and the physics of radiative transfer will be required to support research involving remote sensing of the Earth’s atmosphere, weather, ocean and climate systems and interpretation of satellite measurements in terms of geophysical processes. Other NOAA line offices and programs may emphasize other skill sets - for example, capabilities and academic backgrounds tailored to numerical weather prediction and coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling (NWS, NOS), Coastal ecological and population modeling (NMFS), Climate Data Record production, analysis and archive (NCDC, NGDC, NODC), or societal and economic cost / benefits analyses, etc.

This acquisition encompasses scientific and technical support broadly engaged in the design, development, testing, implementation, analysis, research, validation, and documentation of space-based and in situ observations, numerical, mathematical and statistical models and predictions, environmental product and data systems, observing system designs systems and performance, instrument performance and calibrations, and development, testing and implementation of products and applications derived from NOAA satellite and in situ atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface observations.

The work to be performed under this requirement is especially critical to the success and optimal use and exploitation of NOAA operational satellites, and national and international research and operational satellite systems and data streams. In combination with in situ observation and models, these data support the provision of short term and long term environmental assessments, predictions and warnings that are critical to the public safety and economic welfare, and to the progress of scientific understanding of the Earth’s environment and its evolution. The work to be supported under this acquisition is multi-disciplinary, requiring the coordinated contributions of individuals from different technical disciplines, NOAA organizations, and involving partnerships with other agencies, universities and other research organizations.

While this acquisition is primarily being established for NESDIS, the contract will provide for award of task orders within scope on a NOAA wide basis.

2.1 National Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS)

NESDIS’ mission is to provide and ensure timely access to global environmental data and information services from satellites and other sources to promote, protect, and enhance the Nation’s economy, security, environment, and quality of life. To fulfill its responsibilities, NESDIS acquires and manages the Nation’s operational environmental satellites, operates the NOAA National Data Centers, provides data and information services including Earth system monitoring, performs official assessments of the environment, and conducts related research. NESDIS strives to be the world’s most comprehensive source and recognized authority for satellite products, environmental information, and official assessments of the environment in support of societal and economic decisions. NESDIS is responsible for the operation, maintenance, management, and overall coordination of geostationary and polar-orbiting operational environmental satellites and for scientific development of applications that use data from these and other satellite systems.

NESDIS technical offices coordinate with other NOAA units, NASA, and other U.S. Government agencies in the implementation, evaluation, and application of operational and research satellite data and products, and coordinates research activities of mutual interest with foreign laboratories and satellite processing agencies, particularly those in satellite-operating countries. NESDIS conducts research and mission support activities on the Earth and its atmosphere and oceans using remote sensing satellite observations, supports such research activities at universities and private research organizations and participates with university communities, other government agencies, and foreign organizations in joint research projects.

Managing and executing these satellite-related programs involves a significant civil service and contractor workforce. NESDIS will be the initial NOAA and a primary user of this contract vehicle. NESDIS is comprised of the following organizational components, which together manage the end to end Nation's operational environmental satellites, provide data and information services, and conduct related research:

a. STAR – Center for Satellite Applications and Research (formerly Office of Research & Applications)

b. Office of Systems Development

c. Office of Satellite Operations

d. Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution

e. National Climatic Data Center

f. National Geophysical Data Center

g. National Ocean Data Center

h. NPOESS Integrated Program Office

i. GOES-R Program Office

The Office of Systems Development (OSD) is responsible for satellite systems engineering, mission planning and acquisition. The Office of Satellite Operations is responsible for satellite communications and raw data ingest and Level-0 and Level-1processing. The Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) is responsible for developing environmental applications, techniques and algorithms for transforming those data into scientifically meaningful, quality assured and calibrated environmental observations and derived products, and for developing the pre-operational computer codes to implement them. The Office of Satellite Data Processing and Dissemination (OSDPD) is responsible for the operationalization of the science codes and production systems, and for the 24 x 7 production and dissemination of the satellite-based data products. The Data Centers are responsible for data archive stewardship of NESDIS satellite data and other NOAA datasets. All of these NESDIS organizations to one degree or another require the skills and perspectives of a professional scientifically trained and scientifically employed workforce. The Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) is expected to be the primary user of this contract vehicle within NESDIS, and will have some level of contractual oversight for all scientific work conducted within NESDIS and other NOAA line offices under this contract vehicle.

Within NESDIS, STAR provides overall guidance and direction for the research and application activities of NESDIS. STAR scientists are responsible for assessing the requirements and goals of NESDIS research and application programs and evaluating their progress. STAR coordinates with NESDIS, other NOAA units, and U.S. Government agencies in the implementation, evaluation, and application of operational and research satellite data and products, and coordinates research activities of mutual interest with foreign laboratories and satellite processing agencies, particularly those in satellite-operating countries. NESDIS conducts research on the Earth and its atmosphere and oceans, land surface and space environment using remote sensing satellite observations, supports collaborative and joint research projects with universities, private research organizations, other government agencies, and foreign organizations. Recognizing that other NOAA organizations and science oriented sub-organizations, though diverse in terms of their scientific domains and specialties, perform and implement similar investigative processes, paradigms, methods and techniques consistent with the scientific method, and therefore have analogous requirements for scientific support services. Brief introductory descriptions of other NOAA line offices anticipated to make use of this contract vehicle are provided below.

2.2 The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and their habitats. NMSF is specifically charged with responsibilities for the management, conservation and protection of living marine resources within the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone (water three to 200 mile offshore). NOAA Fisheries also plays a supportive and advisory role in the management of living marine resources in coastal areas under state jurisdiction provides scientific and policy leadership in the international arena and implements international conservation and management measures as appropriate. Many natural and human-related factors affect the status of fish stocks, protected species and ecosystems. Although these factors cannot all be controlled, available scientific and management tools enable the agency to have a strong influence on many of them. Maintaining and improving the health and productivity of these species is at the heart of NMFS mission. With the help of six regional offices and eight councils, NMFS works with communities to promote sustainable fisheries and to prevent lost economic potential associated with overfishing, declining species and degraded habitats. NMFS strives to balance competing public needs.

2.3 The National Ocean Service (NOS)

The National Ocean Service (NOS) delivers the tools and services needed to understand, predict, and respond to the challenges faced along America's 95,000 miles of shoreline and 3.5 million square miles of coastal, Great Lakes, and deep-ocean waters. This vast area, home to great biological wealth, generates more than 60 percent of the nation's gross national product each year. NOS scientists, natural resource managers, and specialists focus on solutions that promote and enable economic growth of coastal communities, while sustaining healthy coastal ecosystems and environment. In partnership with other NOAA offices; federal, state, and local agencies; industry representatives; members of the academic community; and others, the men and women of NOS focus on science, technology, innovation, and education to keep our oceans and coasts safe, healthy and productive. NOS provides products, services and information that promote safe navigation, support coastal communities, sustain marine ecosystems, and mitigate coastal hazards.

NOS’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services provide the national infrastructure, science, and technical expertise to monitor, assess, and distribute tide, current, water level, and other coastal oceanographic products and services that support environmental assessment and prediction, including operational observation and monitoring and model forecasting. NOS maintains a network of buoys, tidal stations and satellite measurements that provide a continuous picture of the state of the ocean and Great Lakes. Through the National Estuarine Research Reserves, NOS tracks water quality, and combining this information with other weather and climate data, aims to address important questions surrounding climate change dynamics, the effects of human activities on ecosystems, and impacts of pollutants on the marine environment. NOS has a lead role implementing a national Integrated Ocean Observing System as part of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems framework.

NOS, OAR and NMFS work together to develop advanced technology for exploring undersea habitats, communities, species and phenomena, and to conduct scientific research that provides resource managers with the information and tools needed to balance society’s environmental, social, and economic goals. NOS is responsible through the Coral Reef Conservation Program for protecting vital coral reef ecosystems, which are among the most biologically rich and economically valuable marine resources in the world. NOS maintains thirteen National Marine Sanctuaries and one national marine monument, and has a team of specialized scientists ready to respond quickly to hazardous oil and chemicals spills around the world.

2.4 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) strives to establish the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet. Working in partnership with other organizational units of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, OAR research provides better forecasts, earlier warnings for natural disasters and a greater understanding of Earth systems. The scientific work of OAR encompasses a variety of disciplines, including meteorology, oceanography, hydrology, biological sciences, classical physics, fluid dynamics, chemistry, applied mathematics, and numerical analysis. OAR supports a network of internal Research Laboratories, Programs (e.g. for Undersea Research and Ocean Exploration), a grants program through the Climate Program Office, and supports academic external research through Sea Grant program, and Cooperative Joint Institutes.

Research supported by OAR and conducted within NOAA and through collaborations outside NOAA, covers environmental phenomena from tornadoes, hurricanes, climate variability, changes in the ozone layer, El Niño/La Niña events, fisheries productivity, ocean currents, deep sea thermal vents, to coastal ecosystem health. NOAA research also supports development of innovative technologies and observing systems. OAR provides leadership and promotes the transfer of NOAA research results into products and services that help NOAA meet evolving economic, social, and environmental needs of the Nation.

OAR priority issues include: Improving understanding of climate change at regional, basin, and global scales, b) Investing in ocean and atmospheric observing systems (climate observations, phased array radar, UASs, AUVs, and IOOS), c) Improving understanding of climate in relation to weather and ecosystems (HydroMET, Loss of Sea Ice, ocean acidification), d) Research to support community resilience in the face of hazards (tsunamis, mercury, invasive species, hurricanes, coastal inundation), and e) Understanding the role of oceans in abrupt climate change (AMOC, reanalysis). OAR sponsored research laboratories are highlighted below.

The Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) supports research on processes related to air quality and climate, concentrating on the transport, dispersion, transformation, and removal of trace gases and aerosols, and their climatic and ecological influences. The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) supports applied research in oceanography, tropical meteorology, atmospheric and oceanic chemistry, and acoustics. The Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) supports observational, physical and chemical process and interdisciplinary modeling studies to better understand and predict the complex interactions that result in specific environmental behaviors and phenomena from local to global space scales and time scales. The Aeronomy Laboratory performs scientific research aimed at discovering, understanding, and quantifying processes that govern the chemical and electro-chemical reactions and their impacts on tropospheric and upper atmospheric phenomena and evolution. The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) conducts research to advance understanding of weather processes, and to improve forecast and warning techniques through development and transfer of operational applications/ techniques to NWS. The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) performs field, analytical, and laboratory investigations focused on understanding and prediction of coastal and estuarine processes, and interdependencies with the atmosphere and sediments. The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) conducts interdisciplinary research in oceanography and marine meteorology focusing on observations and modeling ocean physical and geochemical processes that drive ocean circulation, and on improving environmental forecasting and related services for marine commerce and fisheries. The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) is focused on understanding and predicting the earth's climate and weather, including the impact of human activities. GFDL conducts and supports research related to weather and hurricane forecasts, El Niño prediction, stratospheric ozone depletion, and global warming.

2.5 National Weather Service (NWS)

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community. NWS manages the execution of development programs, provides science and scientific research enabling technology options, prepares solutions and develops plans to meet service requirements. NWS makes observations and measurements of atmospheric phenomena as required for climatological, hydrologic, meteorological, and oceanographic services. NWS develops and distributes forecasts of weather conditions and warnings of severe storms and other adverse weather conditions It collects and disseminates weather and climatic information and maintains watch over river stages and those weather conditions which produce floods; provides warnings of impeding floods; furnishes regular forecasts of overflow and stage as well as seasonal water supply; and participates with other Federal agencies in hydro-meteorological investigations for overall planning and development for water resources. NWS makes observations and measurements of ocean conditions required by marine interests, and develops and distributes forecasts and warnings of waves, tsunamis, sea ice, and other ocean conditions. It develops, disseminates, and improves procedures and techniques for the national meteorological, climatological, hydrologic, and oceanographic service systems measurements and forecasts. NWS develops techniques for the application of climatological data. NWS conducts research, program evaluation, and economic assessments serving as the basis for the identification of future national level requirements for weather services and the development of plans and programs to respond to those requirements. NWS based organizations, divisions and programs highlighted below that have responsibilities that include formulation of science research priorities, actual performance and coordination of strategic science programs, evaluation of application of science based products in operations, and assessments of societal benefits and impacts of science-based improvements to human and model-based forecast operations. The list suggests areas and activities that could logically utilize science services provided through the new vehicle.

The Office of Climate, Water, & Weather Services oversees the design and implementation of future products and services, and works with service partners to define, validate and prioritize requirements for scientific and technological advancements most needed to improve the dissemination and quality of hydrometeorological and climate information to users. The Meteorological Services Division oversees National Weather Service meteorological and oceanographic warning and forecast operation plans, policies, and procedures. It identifies and validates service needs to mitigate weather-related disasters, establishes operational requirements for meteorological observations and leads the design, validation, and implementation of new products and services. The Fire and Public Services Branch is the program lead for meteorological forecast, warning, and weather-support response services to the nation for wild land fires, environmental hazard events, and land management activities. It also leads the NWS programs for providing public weather services to the nation. The Branch oversees the provision of fire, public, and environmental hazards response weather services by NWS WFOs and NCEP service centers. The Aviation Weather Services Branch is the program lead for aviation weather services to the nation. Its programs include products and services provided to the domestic and international aviation communities in the terminal, en route, and oceanic airspace systems. The Climate Services Division oversees NWS climate prediction operations plans, policies, and procedures. It identifies and validates needs for climate services, develops mitigation strategies for climate related disasters, establishes operational requirements for climate observations, and helps prioritize climate services requirements-driven science and technology development. Its work includes oversight of operational climate forecast services such as El Niño and La Nina event forecasts, seasonal outlooks, and coordination of climate impact forecasts associated with weather and water outlooks produced at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) provides satellite and airborne remote sensing services and remotely sensed and modeled snow cover data sets and products for operational, developmental, and research hydrology programs conducted at local, regional, and national scales. It provides real-time ingest, processing, analysis, and assimilation of a wide variety of satellite, airborne, and ground-based data for near-real time dissemination. The Training Division ensures NWS operations personnel staff receives the training required to attain/maintain proficiency in providing accurate and timely forecasts and warnings to the public. The NWS/COMET Outreach training program facilitates collaboration between the academic research community and operational forecasters to advance applied research in mesoscale meteorology.

The Office of Science and Technology (OST) plans, develops, demonstrates, and integrates scientific techniques and system capabilities in response to service requirements of NWS warning and forecast operations at field offices and national centers. The Office analyzes service requirements and identifies potential system and scientific solutions. In cooperation with other NWS elements and the research community, the Office establishes and promotes science priorities in response to weather, water, and climate program needs. The office formulates and maintains a comprehensive research and development plan in response to these priorities, conducts associated applied research and development, and sponsors research and development at NOAA laboratories and centers, universities, and private sector organizations. The Office monitors and assesses advances in the relevant technologies and plans infusion of new technology in response to service requirements consistent with system architecture goals. OST conducts and/or sponsors planning and design studies and analyses, prepares technical specifications for selected systems and system interfaces, and manages the acquisition of developmental systems and support services. Special emphasis is given to observing systems to ensure in-situ and remote sensing technologies provide the optimum benefit to climate, water, and weather services.

The Program and Plans Division of OST formulates plans for NOAA/NWS's integrated observing and dissemination systems. It works with the broad scientific and technical communities, and with OS&T's Technology Evolution and Meteorological Development Laboratories, other NWS headquarters offices, NCEP, the NWS Regions, OAR and NESDIS, and universities. The Program Management Branch is involved in planning the development, use and enhancement of observing systems such as the radiosonde, radar, polar and geostationary satellites, including global positioning systems, ASOS, surface and meso-networks, cooperative observers, aircraft, ships, buoys, profilers, and lightning detection systems.

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) manages nine operational forecast centers. The Aviation Weather Center provides aviation warnings and forecasts of hazardous flight conditions within domestic and international air space. The Climate Prediction Center monitors and forecasts short-term climate fluctuations and provides information on the effects climate patterns. The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center provides nationwide analysis and forecast guidance products out to seven days. The Ocean Prediction Center issues weather warnings and forecasts out to five days for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans north of 30 degrees north. The Space Weather Prediction Center provides space weather alerts and warnings for disturbances that can affect equipment in space and on earth. The Storm Prediction Center provides tornado and severe weather watches for the contiguous United States along with a suite of hazardous weather forecasts. The Tropical Prediction Center includes the National Hurricane Center and provides forecasts of the movement and strength of tropical weather systems and issues watches and warnings for the U.S. and surrounding areas. The Environmental Modeling Center develops and improves numerical weather, climate, hydrological and ocean prediction in partnership with the research community. NCEP Central Operations sustains and executes the operational suite of numerical analyses and forecast models and prepares NCEP products for dissemination.

3.0

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of this contract is to provide scientific, technical, and management expertise, and related services involving research, planning, assessment, development, management, support, and execution of NOAA’s missions and activities. The Contractor(s) shall furnish the necessary expertise, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform such work as identified in separate statements of work that will be incorporated into funded task orders under the IDIQ contract.

3.1 National Environmental Satellite Data & Information Service (NESDIS) and Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) The Contractor shall be required to provide scientific and technical support services for the analysis and application of operational and research satellite data in atmospheric, weather, oceanic and land surface prediction services, and in scientific studies, including scientific research projects of NOAA’s crosscut programs. This support may involve participation in field experiments, including those on ships and aircraft platforms.

The Contractor shall provide support in satellite algorithm development, research, product generation, and integrated calibration and validation system development. Such support shall include the design, development, research, testing, validation and documentation of satellite data products, modeling, maintenance, management, and data assimilation related to current and planned satellite sensor systems. Allied activities include administrative, planning and logistical support of science program development, coordination, tracking and reporting.

The following list describes significant subset of current ongoing and future activities, representing the scientific work and likely requirements of NESDIS / STAR, primary user of the proposed contract vehicle:

1. Provide scientific and technical review, management, testing, design, development, implementation, validation, and documentation of algorithms and products for deriving atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface variables from research and operational satellite observations

2. Support research and develop new satellite products and applications to improve and expand the use of satellite data for monitoring global meteorological, environmental and climatological conditions. Provide maintenance, support, or management services for such current, developing, and future satellite applications.

3. Support development of algorithm(s) using multispectral, hyperspectral, and other information that enable reliable discrimination among clear, partly cloudy, and cloudy pixels in satellite data, and that provide pixel level statistical confidence and accuracy measures, useful as input to operational algorithms and products such as sea surface temperature, radiation budgets, atmospheric soundings, ocean surface winds, vegetation index, etc.

4. Provide science and technical support for the development and evaluation of new algorithms from current and future NOAA geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites using actual or proxy satellite data to estimate, for example, land surface temperature, precipitation, snow cover, sea ice, ocean surface winds, vessel positions, water-leaving radiances, chlorophyll concentration, and cloud properties.

5. Support development and implementation of systems to process archived satellite data into climate-quality products. Data may be from such sensors as AVHRR, SBUV, TOVS, SSM/I, MSU, AMSU, AIRS, HIRS, IASI, MODIS, or any other sensor.

6. Support development of the community radiative transfer model (CRTM) for forward calculation of radiances for validation and resolving spectral response related biases.

7. Support the development of space weather product algorithms, and calibration / validation of space weather level 0-2 data and products.

8. Conduct technical support, management, research, and development of remote sensing data on the world's oceans, and calibrate instruments, verify the data, and create products to meet the needs of users for satellite data and other information on oceans and coastal zones.

9. Perform research and develop techniques for analyzing satellite-based SAR data to provide information such as: oil spill location, detection of marine debris convergence, morphology of hurricanes and severe storms, and location of current fronts and river plumes.

10. Implement at-sea bio-optical experiments in support of the validation/calibration of space-borne instrumentation and science algorithms. Collect, analyze, and correct in situ biological data and develop and implement an integrated-data biological productivity model.

11. Using ocean and atmospheric models, research, develop, validate, and support techniques for measuring mixed layer depth from satellite radar measurements of the ocean’s surface.

12. Provide scientific support for the development, implementation, of program(s) involving operational ocean remote sensing. This includes product development and validation for operational Sea Surface Temperature, Ocean Color, Ocean Surface Winds and Altimetry products; establishment and maintenance of customer interface functions (product development, collection and analysis of requirements, and geospatial data expertise (GIS) to support utilization of operational ocean remote sensing products and development of new GIS capabilities.

13. Conduct scientific and technical support on the use of satellites and satellite data to improve analysis, forecasts and warnings for regional and mesoscale meteorological events; the use of earth observing satellites to study regional and global climate variability; develop advanced products from new or existing environmental satellite systems and data for weather forecasting and monitoring of the earth-atmosphere system.

14. Adapt existing or develop new systems or support for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) products in applications such as fog detection, nowcasting severe weather, insolation, and precipitation estimation.

15. Develop procedures, algorithms, and systems to process raw satellite data into radiance and geophysical products, and develop and deliver algorithms that enable products that can be provided in near-real-time for NWP.

16. Support the development of data fusion algorithms for next generation blended products from NOAA, NASA, and international satellites.

17. Provide support to technical and prototyping studies related to collaborative system architectures, new technologies and scientific techniques, to ensure a reliable, robust and secure infrastructure that is tailored to support of a working environment that facilitates greater collaboration among internal and external scientists.

18. Support the development of methods to collect specific data from NOAA operational data streams including from NCEP numerical forecast models, from operational satellites, from derived satellite products, and from ground and other in situ observing systems, and provide merged, quality controlled and documented research data sets to the science community.

19. Support the design and test new science data processing and analysis systems and interfaces that enable greater interaction among scientists, and facilitate development of optimized multi-source blended products that incorporate various multi-spectral, multi-platform satellite, in situ, and model data.

20. Support development of a NOAA integrated calibration and validation system framework, and NOAA product generation, modeling, and data assimilation efforts

21. Support development of inter-satellite calibration of radiances using the simultaneous nadir overpass (SNO) and simultaneous conical overpass (SCO) type methods, and development and support to the Global Satellite Inter-Comparison System (GSICS)

22. Support development and implementation of systems for post-launch calibration of remotely sensed measurements across the spectrum (visible, infrared, and passive/active microwave sensors) using calibration and validation techniques based on observations of land surface targets, the lunar surface, and from ocean buoys, shipboard measurements, aircraft observations and from inter-comparisons of different spacecraft instruments.

23. Support development and management of Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), NPP, National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), and GOES-R cross platform calibration efforts.

24. Support development radiative transfer models that facilitate direct assimilation of radiances or other satellite observations into NWP forecast models.

25. Support model data assimilation and OSSE studies using NOAA, MeTOP, NASA (and international) satellite data, and advanced sensor types such as GPS radio occultation measurements and lasers to improve forecast skill and observing system design

26. Provide general program support in the planning, executing, managing, maintaining, sustaining, reporting, of existing, new, and developing satellite related programs, equipment, data, projects and studies.

27. Support development, evaluation and implementation of advanced technologies and scientific tools, including testbeds, that facilitate discovery and increased productivity in development and delivery of new satellite-based applications

28. Provide support to societal benefits assessment, and external scientific stakeholder outreach and training.

29. Provide support in coordinating and planning interactions between NESDIS succession planning effort and space planning for the current NOAA buildings and new National Climate and Weather Prediction Center (NCWPC); support in coordinating the review of grant proposals and annual grant plan tracking.

30. Provide administrative assistance in organizing various science and management activities for the Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division and the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation.

31. Provide writing, editing and media relations support for outreach programs, technical reports, and manuscripts.

32. Support services under this contract may also include technical support of a clerical or administrative nature which will be considered in scope with the professional technical services of this contract.

3.2 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

The following list describes significant subset of current ongoing and future activities, representing the scientific work and potential requirements of NMFS:

1. Support development of downscaled, site-specific predictions of climate change impacts including rates of sea level rise;

2. Support studies on linkages between habitat loss and fisheries production, by species and by life stage;

3. Support studies on effects of freshwater flow alterations on estuarine species of economic and ecological significance; and impacts to benthic habitats from various types of structures (e.g., alternative energy facilities, aquaculture installations);

4. Support studies quantifying impingement and entrainment of ichthyoplankton from various sources (e.g., on-shore power plants, ships, offshore structures such as LNG facilities) including cumulative impacts and consequences to populations of managed fishery stocks.

5. Support development of models that predict potential for habitat/species shifts from climate change and predicted sea-level rise, and assess the potential impacts on productivity.

6. Support development of economic models as a tool to address the economic value of ecosystem productivity, as well as services to society of various coastal wetland types;

7. Support assessments of potential ocean acidification impacts on corals, crustaceans, and mollusks and potential impact of acidification on estuaries;

8. Support assessments of potential impacts on infection rates and oyster mortality/productivity from oyster pathogens, such as demo, due to predicted climate change (warmer water temperatures year round, prolonged periods of drought, more intense floods, etc.); and

9. Support assessments of the values and functions of coastal flats, sand flats, algal flats, and wind tidal flats, and their vulnerability to sea-level rise.

10. Support services under this contract may also include technical support of a clerical or administrative nature which will be considered in scope with the professional technical services of this contract.

3.3 National Ocean Service (NOS)

The following list describes significant subset of current ongoing and future activities, representing the scientific work and potential requirements of NOS:

1. Support interdisciplinary or other scientific activities in conjunction with other Federal agencies or academic or educational institutions, to explore and survey little known areas of the marine environment, and to inventory, observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and to report findings

2. Support research focused on deep water marine systems in and around hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts

3. Participate in and support voyages to locate, define, and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean exploration activities that combine archaeology and oceanographic sciences;

4. Support development of improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and data collection systems, as well uses of underwater platforms, sensors, and autonomous vehicles; and marine science community

5. Support the establishment ocean forums to encourage partnerships and promote communication among experts and other stakeholders.

6. Support undersea science-based education and outreach programs to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the oceans and Great Lakes;

7. Support the development, testing, and transition of advanced undersea technology associated with ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving technologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing technologies;

8. Support studies and development of natural resources and products from ocean, coastal, and aquatic systems.

9. Provide scientific and technical services required for sustaining ocean monitoring programs and providing ocean and lake-dependent fishing, marine transportation and other industries with information to make informed decisions

10. Support research and analysis that increases understanding ocean ecosystem dynamics and implications for sustainable management of marine resources.

11. Provide scientific and technical support to NOS spill response and restoration efforts.

12. Support services under this contract may also include technical support of a clerical or administrative nature which will be considered in scope with the professional technical services of this contract.

3.4 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

The following list describes significant subset of current ongoing and future activities representing the scientific work and potential requirements of OAR:

1. Provide science and technical services involving observing, modeling and analysis related to the generation, transport, transformation and removal of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols and their impacts on climate, ecosystems and health.

2. Support research involving hurricanes, ocean current and temperature structures, ocean/atmosphere chemical exchanges, and the coastal ocean using research ships and aircraft, satellite remote sensing techniques, numerical and statistical models, radar, acoustics, and drifting buoys.

3. Provide scientific and technical service that support studies of chemical reactions and radiative processes (heating, cooling, and reactions) and their impact on atmospheric change.

4. Support research related to electro-dynamical space environment physics and processes, monitoring of the earth & solar particle, radiation, and magnetic fields environments and acquisition and analysis of satellite-based and in situ observations of magnetic fields, electron densities and currents and charged particle environments as they relate to space weather modeling and prediction.

5. Provide scientific and technical services that support development of new understanding of severe convective storms and other severe weather phenomena through development, testing and deployment of advanced modeling and assimilation, data integration and synthesis techniques , information analysis and decision support techniques, and exploitation of advanced in situ and space based observing technologies.

6. Provide integrated, interdisciplinary environmental research in support of…