Notice of Intent to Sole Source - SSPA.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operation (OMAO), Platform Acquisition Executive (PAE) will solicit and award the requirement herein on a sole source basis to Stellant Systems, Inc. for the design and production of up to 21 Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs), commonly known as Transmitters, in support of a newly developed Vertically Scanning Doppler Radar (VSDR) on NOAA’s forthcoming fleet of C-130J aircraft. The authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 using simplified procedure up to $9M in accordance with Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) 12.201-1. Additionally, this requirement is conducted in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by RFO 6.103-1(b) entitled, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The SSPA (transmitter) is a subcomponent of each radar system and provides the backbone of the system. The SSPA develops the radar signal, transforming electrical power into high power pulsed signals which are transmitted through the radar pedestal to the antennas. As such, the transmitter is critical to the ultimate performance of the radar system as a high power, small pulse, and accurate excitation is critical to the performance of the radar system. Because of the severe environment that the radar system will operate in, transmitter power is critical to the instrument’s ability to meet the key performance parameters of transmitting and receiving signals through at least 50 km of high reflectivity storms. Each pod will host two transmitters, one for each radar system, and each aircraft will have four transmitters.

In 2022, Congress provided the first tranche of funding for the NOAA WP-3D replacement program. Through an analysis of alternatives, the C-130J was identified as the only aircraft capable of conducting the heavy weather, medium altitude hurricane hunting mission. Because of this shift in aircraft, a new three-dimensional wind doppler radar system must be developed to continue the legacy of the WP-3D’s Tail Doppler Radar.

The transmitters used for the C-130J pod installations will be modified from the most recent G550 design in the following ways:

● Hardened to meet the environmental, stress, and load environment of the outer wing station 330 (OWS

330) installation location.

● Modified to maintain safe operating temperatures through liquid cooling as opposed to the air cooling found on the G550 transmitters

● Modified to accommodate a single antenna at a fixed 20 degree angle. This single antenna should be rotated around the center of rotation as close as possible to minimize the swept area of the rotating antenna assembly. This is intended to reduce the overall size of the radar pod that will enclose the system.

● Modified as needed to generate a 12KW peak transmit power, approximately 50% greater than the current TDR systems.

● Controlled remotely to allow complete operation and monitoring of the transmitters without accessing the pods on a routine basis.

Only one source is capable of providing the required products and services at the level of quality required given the unique and highly specialized specifications of this requirement. The sole source firm, Stellant Systems, Inc.

designed and developed the transmitter subsystem required herein, giving the firm proprietary ownership of all specifications, drawings, schematics, etc.

Providing similarity on NOAA’s aircraft with current systems through a common transmitter design is critical to reduce risk associated with fielding critical radar systems in time to meet the end of life of the current capabilities.

Any reduction in capability will directly affect the forecasts and contribute to the loss of life and additional economic damage resulting from increased forecast errors with major hurricane systems.

The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 336413- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing with a corresponding size standard of 1,250 employees. This notice does not constitute a solicitation, Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or an Invitation for Bid (IFB) and it does not restrict the Government in any way regarding its ultimate acquisition approach. However, if any other interested party believes that it can meet the requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities, which if timely received, will be considered by NOAA. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Evidence must be provided of ability to provide the required services. The capability statement and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. Capability statements and related materials must be e-mailed to the Contract Specialist, Jennifer Peters, at Jennifer.peters@noaa.gov by 10 AM, ET on Thursday, August 26, 2026.

mailto:Jennifer.peters@noaa.gov