Single Source Determination Using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) under SAT - CRTM for UV fully signed_Redacted.pdf

Version 2.0

SINGLE SOURCE DETERMINATION USING

SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP)

FOR AN ACTION NOT EXCEEDING THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD

(AUTHORITY: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1))

NEED0000-20-01139

1. Agency and contracting activity. Department of Commerce, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Satellite and Information (SIAD) and NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR)

2. Description of supplies or services required to meet agency needs (including the estimated value).

NOAA intends to award a new, sole source contract to Texas A&M University. This is a sole source justification to fill a new requirement for Improved CRTM for UV and passive microwave hydrometeor impacted radiances simulation. A firm fixed price contract is contemplated for award

NOAA/NESDIS/STAR is seeking scientific and technical support services to advance radiative transfer capabilities in the UV and microwave spectra from Texas A&M University. Accurate radiative transfer modeling is essential for many applications which transform satellite observations from radiometric space to geophysical (e.g. brightness temperature to temperature), such as data assimilation. As data assimilation and numerical weather prediction systems advance, forward models such as radiative transfer models also need advancement to handle more complex scenes and inputs such as hydrometeors.

Texas A&M shall provide the following support:

● Development of ice hydrometeor light-scattering models to compute spectrally consistent single-scattering properties for a range of ice particle size distributions, ice densities, and temperature,

● Development of new ice hydrometeor single-scattering properties databases in microwave (1-

1000 GHz) and UV (0.2-0.4 �m) spectra, for scalar (Intensity) radiative transfer,

● Development of new ice hydrometeor single-scattering properties databases in microwave (1-

1000 GHz) and UV (0.2-0.4 �m) spectra, for fully-polarized (full Stokes parameters) radiative transfer,

● Development of tools to build bulk-scattering properties databases used in the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM), based on hydrometeors consistent with cloud microphysics schemes used in NOAA’s global and regional weather prediction systems,

● Development of new bulk-scattering properties database for scalar and polarized radiative transfer consistent with Finite Volume-Cubed Sphere Global Forecast System (FV3GFS) cloud microphysics,

● Validation of CRTM simulations using new bulk-scattering properties databases using collocated satellite observations.

The Independent Government Cost Estimate is: for 1.15 FTE. The period of performance is 09/01/2020 to 03/28/2022 (18 months).

This will allow NOAA/NESDIS/STAR to accomplish its mission to improve the use and impact of satellite observations in NOAA’s numerical weather prediction systems and improve the accuracy of geophysical parameters derived from satellite measurements.

3. Identification of the single source or the brand name to be solicited.

Texas A&M University, DUNS: 020271826 POC: Andrea Calland acalland@tamu.edu 979-845-6777 Sponsored Research Services | Texas A&M University 3578 TAMU | College Station, TX 77845-3578

4. Supporting rationale. Only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below:

Other - Only one source is capable –

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C.

3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

This requirement seeks delivery of new single-scattering and bulk-scattering properties databases for ice (snow and graupel) hydrometeors in the UV and microwave spectra for use in the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM); and tools to construct future bulk-scattering databases (integration of single-scattering properties across particle size distributions) consistent with cloud microphysics schemes used in NOAA’s data assimilation and numerical weather prediction systems

Texas A&M University is specifically necessary to provide these services to NOAA/NESDIS/STAR based on the following:

1) The scientific and technical services are highly specialized and unique to the intended source.

a. Texas A&M University has solely developed new methodologies to model complex morphologies of ice cloud particles (snow, graupel-ice). The proper modeling of ice cloud morphologies is built on unique experience studying ice clouds through field campaigns and other empirical analysis, including use of satellite retrieval datasets (e.g. MODIS, GPM). Texas A&M has exclusively developed complex models for ice cloud particles which define their habit (shape/morphology), surface roughness, size, and density to best represent their natural distribution in various regimes (e.g. thin cirrus, deep convection, etc.).

b. Texas A&M has solely developed new methods to model the interaction of light, including polarized light, in the UV and Microwave spectral regions with newly modeled ice cloud particles, using complex light scattering models. Modern, state-of-the-art, accurate light scattering models include the invariant-imbedding T-matrix model (II-TM) and the improved geometric optics model (IGOM) and take into account the particle shape, density, size, and temperature, which have been solely developed by Texas A&M University. In addition, Texas A&M University solely has been able to solve for the so-called Stokes parameters enabling the calculation of fully polarized single-scattering properties for complex ice cloud particles. When these advanced scattering properties are applied to radiative transfer models, they will produce more accurate simulations than previous models based on Mie (spherical hydrometeors) theory, or other models to date which cannot factor in full polarization.

It is critical to implement these new techniques into the CRTM for two main reasons:

1) New satellite data from the EUMETSET Metop-SG satellites will have polarized measurements in the UV and Microwave, and exploitation of these data will depend on capability to model polarization effects accurately; and

2) These new techniques may only until recently be exploited within NOAA’s data assimilation systems, which have made recent advances in providing prognostic hydrometeor parameters for input to CRTM. The impact of meeting the emerging modeling needs will allow for more satellite observations to be assimilated in active weather regions, and improved forecast skill for NOAA models.

c. Texas A&M University has developed and delivered (at the time) state-of-the-art bulk scattering properties databases through previously funded grants, more recently under NOAA Federal Funding Opportunity Grant Number NA15NES4400003. Texas A&M has familiarity with CRTM to encode new single-scattering properties databases in the proper format, as well as ability to collect necessary observational datasets and perform CRTM simulations to validate new models.

5. Market Research.

Market research was conducted by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR subject matter experts (SMEs) and included a search in GSA/FSS (GSA Advantage!), a search of the NOAA Small Business Database, review of peer-reviewed scientific journal literature, and interviewing Government subject matter experts. See attached market research.

Based on the results of the market research, a limited number of vendors were found that perform related work, particularly in the academic sector, but the vendors do not have sophisticated models needed to meet the requirement. In particular, vendors focus on computing ice single-scattering properties either for simplified hydrometeor types (spherical-Mie), are focused in the Infrared spectral region with alternate light-scattering models which are not consistent with techniques in the microwave or UV regions, or the development is focused on radiative transfer models other than CRTM. Therefore, the government determined that only no other vendors possessed the capability to support the requirement. The Market Research Memorandum has been attached to this document to provide additional detail regarding the findings as a result to the initial search for adequate sources for this requirement.

6. Technical/Requirements Representative Certification

I certify that this requirement constitutes the Government’s minimum needs and the supporting data provided herein is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Stefanie Inabinet Contracting Officer Representative Date

7. Determination

INABINET.STEFANIE.MICHELLE.

1516972773

Digitally signed by

INABINET.STEFANIE.MICHELLE.1516972773

Date: 2020.07.29 08:07:06 -04'00'

I hereby determine that the circumstances of this action deem only one source is reasonably available. This determination is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Suzanna Espinoza Date Contracting Officer

ESPINOZA.SUZANNA.ANGELA.1

241771071

Digitally signed by

ESPINOZA.SUZANNA.ANGELA.1241771071

Date: 2020.07.29 12:12:38 -04'00'