Inflation Table Build SOW.docx

SPECIFICATION

FOR THE

PRODUCTION

OF

INFLATION TABLES FOR UPPER AIR

August 5, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE,

SURFACE and UPPER AIR DIVISION

1325 EASTWEST HIGHWAY

SILVER SPRING, MD 20910

1.0 SCOPE

The awarded Contractor of the National Weather Service engineered inflation table will use provided technical drawings and parts lists to purchase and build four inflation tables. The Contractor is encouraged to seek clarifications from the Government as needed and to make recommendations for enhanced construction or offer cost savings ideas that maintain the integrity of the Upper Air Inflation Table. The fabrication of engineered inflation tables designed by the NWS are to bring affected locations to the new standard of hydrogen safety and longevity.

1.1 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

The National Weather Service (NWS)'s Upper-air Observations Program is a crucial service that provides data essential for weather forecasting, research, and historical climatology. This program utilizes radiosondes (weather balloons) to collect data on atmospheric conditions at various altitudes. The NWS operates 90 radiosonde stations across North America and the Pacific Islands, with additional support for stations in the Caribbean.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective is to manufacture and deliver consistently high-quality inflation tables per the specification, guidance, and drawing packages of the NWS and DOC to support the Government with their efforts to safely launch weather balloons. This includes, and is not limited to, all associated hardware and parts outlined in the reference lists provided by the NWS.

Equipment Overview:

· Inflation Table

· Inflation Table Legs & Feet-to-Ground Hardware

· Safety Switch Assembly

· Twine Spool Assembly

· Inflation Table Grounding

· Optional Dual Gas System Hardware (Helium to Hydrogen) For shipping purposes, the government requires the tables to be shipped unassembled and kitted. The National Weather Service (NWS) recommends that each of the equipment categories listed above be packaged separately from one another. Additionally, it is essential that all items be clearly labeled to ensure accurate identification and handling at their destination.

3.0 KITTING AND DELIVERY

The Contractor will fabricate the table as designed and agreed upon by all parties. The Contractor will then provide all required shipping of the equipment to the following location:

1. SFSC 43741 Weather Service Road, Sterling, VA 20166

4.0 DEVIATIONS/WAIVERS/NON-CONFORMING MATERIALS

A joint Material Review Board (MRB) between the Government and the Contractor shall be established to address proposed deviations, waivers, and non-conforming materials from the Contractor. A Government Deviation/Waiver Change Notice (DWN) shall be used to document the request and will require approval from the Government to proceed.

5.0 CLOSEOUT PHASE

This phase will occur at the end of the contract. A close out plan shall be presented by the Contractor that details how they will deliver residual spare parts, Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) or Government Furnished Information (GFI) provided under this contract, test equipment, documentation, and residual inventory purchased to support production to the Government to designated government sites.

6.0 QUALITY

Above all, the ability of the Contractor to provide consistent quality in a timely manner is extremely important to the outcome of this manufacturing project. The Contractor shall maintain the production level drawings and use them as the basis for the manufacturing processes.

Inspections shall be performed using the production level drawings as the basis for pass/fail and accept/reject. The Contractor shall consistently follow the Quality Control Plan throughout the contract. When a deviation from the plan is required, the Contractor shall notify the Government before any change can take place.

Acceptance for each unit shall include Inspection Records and Test Records by Part Number and Serial Number. This shall be considered the Quality Record for each unit.

7.0 MEETINGS

The Contractor shall hold monthly status meetings with the Government Upper-Air Program Manager where the Contractor shall present and discuss the technical, schedule, and program status of the Inflation Table Fabrication effort with the Government. The monthly progress meeting can be a video conference or similar. The Contractor shall provide a proposed agenda and provide a copy of the presentation material prior to each meeting in accordance with the Schedule of Deliverables table. The Contractor shall hold other meetings as needed or as necessary.

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