RFI_ASOS Barometer.docx

Request for Information in support of National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Observations (OBS) Barometer Sensor Disclaimer and Important Notes: This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quotation (RFQ), or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services discussed in this notice. This Request for information is issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3. Further, NOAA is not at this time seeking proposals or quotes and will not accept unsolicited proposals or quotes. The purpose of this notice is to:

1. Determine if sources exist that are capable of satisfying the agency's requirements; and/or

2. Determine if commercial items suitable to meet the agency's needs are available or could be modified to meet the agency's requirements

Submission of a response to this Request for Information is voluntary. The voluntary submission of a response to this Request for Information shall not obligate NOAA to pay or entitle the submitter of information to claim any direct or indirect costs or charges or any other remuneration whatsoever. Further, no proposals or quotes are sought at this time. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Request for Information; all costs associated with responding to this Request for Information will be solely at the potential respondent's expense. Not responding to this Request for Information does not preclude participation in any future formal solicitation, if any is issued.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a solicitation. There is no solicitation at this time. In order to protect the integrity of any future procurement, additional information will not be given and no appointments for presentations will be made in reference to this Request for Information.

Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this Request for Information. If included, any information should be clearly marked as such. All information received shall be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure.

NAICS Code: 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing with a business size standard of 750 employees.

Background:

The National Weather Service Office of Observations (OBS) is responsible for the operations and maintenance of automated fielded systems that sense the atmosphere in support of surface based Aviation Operations. The ASOS program is an essential, joint mission in support of the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). The ASOS is the nation's primary system for collecting and reporting surface-weather observations, primarily at airports in support of aviation operations, as well as weather forecasting and the timely issuance of warnings. There are approximately 960 ASOS sites globally.

ASOS supports:

· Air Traffic Controllers rely on surface observations to provide airport weather parameters to safely support the National Aerospace System (NAS) operations.

· The aviation community and flying public who require dial-in services to surface observation stations to obtain automated voice-weather reports and Ground-to-Air (GTA) radio broadcasts of automated voice weather reports.

· The general public who requires up-to-date weather conditions via a dial-up service.

· Forecasters who require detailed and timely surface conditions from ASOS sites around the nation.

ASOS provides:

· Surface-weather observations at airports required for the dispatch of commercial aircraft.

· Surface observations required to support Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

· Surface observation data required by the NWS CWSU and WFOs to produce weather forecasts and aviation support products.

The Contractor must provide a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) barometer sensor capable of providing a serial data stream to the ASOS per the specification in Appendix A of the Statement of Work (SOW). The number of sensors required to satisfy the number of operational sites is approximately 2,256 Tri-Agency ASOS Sites and 451 stock spares for a total of 2,707. The present ASOS units have been in the field for 18 or more years. The upgraded ASOS is capable of modern serial communications from sensor to DCP. Contractors are encouraged to highlight any system proposed that contains the ability to adapt to customized polling and response requirements. The procured units will be able to be mounted on existing infrastructure by the use of mounting adapters and hardware or cabling as necessary, and the power supplies will be compatible with existing installations. Multiple vendor product submissions may be selected and verified for performance and ASOS compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Submission of Information: Interested parties are encouraged to submit a response per NWS requirements pertaining to Barometer Replacement and installation equipment. If there are areas of the requirement that your company and/or perspective team cannot meet, please identify those areas in your response along with amplifying information as to why your team cannot meet the government’s request. The government requires Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) barometer and peripheral equipment capable of interfacing with the systems to which they are attached. Standard brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this notice. Submitted Capability Statements shall include the following:

1. Company name and address

2. Unique System for Award Management Identification Number

3. Type of business (e.g. large, small, 8(a), veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, women owned small business, and/or economically disadvantaged women-owned small business) as validated in the SAM including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced in this Sources Sought Notice.

4. Company point of contact – name, phone number, and email address

5. Clear explanation of capabilities to meet, as well as manage multiple projects at one time, for the requirements listed below:

a) Capabilities to provide ASOS program support – this includes viable solutions for procurement of the barometer.

b) Provide a list of capabilities your organization is unable to provide based on the SOW requirements.

c) Provide feedback on the Statement of Work for inconsistencies and clarification.

d) Capabilities to provide necessary hardware and power supplies – this includes viable solutions for installation of the sensors.

e) If your organization does not provide hardware and power supplies, provide any subcontractors who are known or have supported your organization.

Respondents are encouraged to provide any feedback, comments, and questions pertaining to this Sources Sought Notice. Particularly, respondents are encouraged to provide feedback on the selection of the appropriate NAICS code. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall not exceed ten (10) pages, including graphics, and shall be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font.

Responses shall be submitted to Maggie Williams at margaret.williams@noaa.gov no later than that 9:00 AM Eastern Time on November 22, 2022.

ATTACHMENT – Draft Statement of Work