FY25_Altimetry_SOW_v6.docx

Satellite Altimetry Gravity Modeling Project

Statement of Work

Geosciences Division, Office of Geomatics

March 11, 2024

Contents

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Background The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is a key member of the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG) that supports U.S. strategic technology foundational to the Nation's Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Intelligence Community (IC). The scientific products the Agency is tasked to deliver provides a decisive advantage to policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals, humanitarian efforts, and first responders. NGA is the pre-eminent authority in geodetic sciences necessary for the development of timely, relevant, accurate and actionable Geospatial-Intelligence (GEOINT).

The Office of Geomatics (SFN) at NGA is required to collect and process various geosciences data and models into new geodetic models with geodetic error analysis support to a diverse group of military and civilian customers. For example, NGA creates the Earth Gravitational Model (EGM) for use in navigation products for the DoD and for general use by industry and academia. High resolution gravity maps are needed for SFN’s mission of Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, especially regarding safety of navigation operations.

Recently, NGA conducted a review of the data, modeling, and techniques behind satellite altimetry models. This review showed improvements can be made to the geodetic and geophysical altimetry models by inclusion of new data sets and improved processing and modeling. NGA intends to update our EGM and other geodetic and geophysical products by incorporating new gravity models derived from the latest satellite altimetry data and techniques. NGA is seeking a vendor capable of reviewing current data and methodologies of satellite altimetry models, developing new gravity models derived from the latest satellite altimetry data and new techniques, and providing guidance and training for use by NGA.

Since 2012, data from several new geodetic and altimetry satellite missions have become available:

· Cryosat-2 mission is determining ice thickness variations on Earth's ice sheets and marine ice cover.

· Sentinel-3A, 3-B, 6-A and 6B main objectives are to measure sea-surface topography, land- and sea-surface temperature, land- and ocean-surface color with accuracy in support of ocean forecasting systems.

· Jason-2 and -3 makes precise measurements related to global sea-surface height for sea level rise, sea surface temperature, ocean temperature circulation, and climate change.

Of significant note, the newly commissioned Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission is making the first global survey of the Earth's surface water, to observe the fine details of the ocean surface topography, and to measure how terrestrial surface water bodies change over time. Before the SWOT mission, satellite altimetry modeling could detect seamounts of one kilometer and larger. SWOT will reveal sub-kilometer seamounts. SWOT will also provide better data closer to shore, and enable 30-second resolution models, as opposed to the current one-minute models.

Scope The vendor shall support development of altimetry-based data and error models for use by NGA in EGM’s as well as other geodetic and geophysical products created by NGA. The vendor shall provide support to NGA in the development of altimetry-based data and error models covering the oceans as well as providing technical support regarding gravimetric modeling and data. The vendor shall also provide training in the development and generation of altimetry-based data and error models.

Requirements The vendor shall develop methods for gravity field determination using novel satellite mission data. Methods must be developed to jointly process, handle, and integrate data from sources which include but are not limited to SWOT, Jason, Sentinel, and CryoSat missions.

Update new geodetic mission data with current range corrections (i.e., new ocean tide model). This model shall be set at the standard resolution of 1 minute spacing.

Improve methods for marine gravity field prediction at a higher spatial resolution than current (e.g., 30 arcseconds is foreseen in 2025 delivery of marine gravity field).

Fine-tune handling, editing, and filtering of current and upcoming satellites (e.g. SWOT, Jason, Sentinel, CryoSat missions).

Derive new global gravity field and mean sea surface at interval of two (2) years.

Validation with marine shipborne and airborne gravity data, as well as other appropriate geodetic and geophysical data and models.

Further explore the potential of SAR (synthetic aperture radar) altimetry from SWOT, Jason, Sentinel, and CryoSat mission data for stable gravity field prediction. Results shall be expressed in the form of a written or verbal report.

The Arctic and Antarctic regions shall be handled separately. The following is a list of topics which shall be addressed by the vendor in regards to Arctic and Antarctic regions:

Improve Arctic and Antarctic satellite altimetry data with current range corrections.

Determine methods for the detection of leads to derive enhanced mean sea surface using the capability of the SAR to capture leads in the sea ice.

Investigate methods for improved gravity field determination in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Validation with marine ship-borne and airborne gravity data.

All Arctic and Antarctic regions shall cover from 90°N to 90°S. Satellite data must cover a minimum of 80°S to 88°N. polar EGM infill is allowed up to 90° from those minimums.

The vendor shall do the following in reference to developing and enhancing Geodetic tradecraft:

Develop a training plan for up to two NGA geodesist per option year.

Conduct training of geodesist which shall cover the collection, development, and generation of altimetry-based gravity data and error models.

Reports and Meetings NGA and the vendor shall conduct monthly technical exchanges via email to outline the progress of the vendor’s work. These may include technical reports, white papers, or any other form or correspondence from the vendor on project status.

Deliverables At the end of the Base Year the vendor shall deliver an updated global altimetry model to NGA.

Model shall have a spatial resolution of 30 arcseconds Data shall be sent as a plain text file and include at least the following fields: latitude, longitude coordinated in WGS84, elevation in meters, and free-air gravity value in mGals. Additional fields may be provided at the discretion of the vendor.

Any newly developed global marine altimetry gravity field and mean sea surfaces shall be provided as they become available.

Updates to current models shall be provided as they become available throughout the course of the contract.

During Option Years (if exercised) the vendor shall improve the global model by integrating new and/or novel satellite mission data Integrated data may be obtained from SWOT, Jason, Sentinel, and CryoSat missions or additional missions pre-approved by the NGA POC.

5.5 A training plan write up which explains what NGA geodesists will learn, timeline included.

Delivery Methods NGA will accept traditional and/or currently established methods of delivery.

The vendor shall virus scan all content deliveries prior to electronic and/or media delivery. This procedure shall be documented with a statement for each delivery to certify data has been appropriately scanned for viruses.

Acceptable Delivery Methods:

· FTP Transfers

· External Hard Drives

· DVDs

· Alternative or New delivery formats will be reviewed by NGA. Approval of alternative or New formats must be approved by the NGA COR.

The vendor shall ship deliveries to:

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Office of Geomatics, Mail Stop L-41 3838 Vogel Rd Arnold, MO 63010 Period of Performance The overall Period of Performance, inclusive of options, is 5 years (60 months), comprising of four (4) Option Periods.

· Base Year: Contract Year 1

· Option Year 1: Contract Year 2

· Option Year 2: Contract Year 3

· Option Year 3: Contract Year 4

· Option Year 4: Contract Year 5 Security This work is unclassified; uncleared contractor personnel are authorized to work on this contract.

Uncleared contractor personnel visiting NGA facilities or other sites must receive the appropriate visitor badge and be escorted, as appropriate. The vendor will return the visitor badge at the end of each visit day.

Quality Assurance The vendor is responsible for product/service quality as it pertains to all requirements under this Statement of Work (SOW). The vendor shall take all steps necessary to ensure that the content meets all quality and specification aspects required by NGA and its customers.

Data Ownership All data and software produced will have unlimited Government rights in accordance with the definition in DFARS 252.227-7013 and DFARS 252.227-7014. Upon delivery to NGA, the vendor may publish models and data.

Travel The vendor shall travel NGA’s St Louis campus once per contract year for program management reviews. Travel must be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) in advance of all trips. If amending any pre-trip estimates, the vendor shall submit a new trip estimate to be approved by the COR at least five days prior to travel. The vendor shall use U.S General Services Administration (GSA) travel policy per diem and lodging rates. Travel will be provided on a Cost Reimbursement no fee basis.

Should travel to the vendor location be deemed necessary by the NGA POC, the vendor shall advise the POC on vendor site visit protocol.

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