SAM-SON-145022-26-0017.pdf

Statement of Need - 145022-26-0017 Airborne and Mobile Measurements to support NOAA ARL’s Research on Meteorology and Atmospheric Chemistry

1. Background and Purpose The NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) conducts atmospheric research to improve the understanding of meteorology, air chemistry, and emissions of chemical composition in support of NOAA's mission to protect life, property, and the environment. ARL routinely conducts field campaigns that combine airborne, ground-based, and remote sensing observations to improve emissions inventories, evaluate atmospheric transport and chemistry models, validate satellite observations, and enhance air quality forecasting.

To support ongoing and upcoming field studies, NOAA ARL requires specialized measurement services that include (1) airborne observations of meteorology and atmospheric chemical composition over the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area, (2) airborne observations meteorology and atmospheric chemical composition over the New York City metropolitan area, (3) mobile remote sensing and methane source characterization using a ceilometer and unmanned aircraft system (UAS), and (4) analysis for the mobile data collected in Boston during the SOCCER-AQ field campaign in summer 2026, especially during the FIFA World Cup. These measurements will complement NOAA's existing measurement capabilities and provide critical observations needed to characterize atmospheric transport, boundary layer structure, emissions of air pollutants, and atmospheric chemistry.

2. Scope and Objectives The contractor(s) shall provide specialized aircraft and remote sensing measurement services to support NOAA atmospheric research.

The objectives are to:

● Characterize meteorological conditions, atmospheric chemistry, and emissions over the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area.

● Characterize meteorological conditions, atmospheric chemistry, and emissions over the New York City metropolitan area.

● Measure atmospheric boundary layer evolution using a mobile ceilometer and characterize methane emissions from selected point sources using a drone-mounted methane analyzer when appropriate.

● Analyze the data collected in Boston during the SOCCER-AQ field campaign in summer 2026.

● Provide high-quality scientific observations that can be integrated with NOAA aircraft, mobile laboratory, satellite, and surface monitoring data.

● Support development and evaluation of atmospheric transport models, emissions inventories, and air quality forecasting systems.

3. Tasks to be performed and Deliverables

Task 1 – Airborne Atmospheric Measurements over the Washington, DC/Baltimore Metropolitan Area The contractor shall provide a suitably equipped research aircraft, qualified flight crew, maintenance support, and operational services to conduct research flights over the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan region.

Services shall include:

● Aircraft operation in accordance with all FAA regulations.

● Flight planning in coordination with NOAA scientists.

● Multiple research flights during the field campaign.

● Capability to fly prescribed scientific flight patterns at varying altitudes within FAA operational constraints.

● Accommodation of NOAA scientific instrumentation, as appropriate.

● Collection and delivery of aircraft navigation, meteorological, and flight data.

Deliverables

● Research aircraft and flight crew.

● Completed research flights.

● Aircraft navigation and meteorological and chemical datasets.

● Flight logs and mission reports.

Task 2 – Airborne Atmospheric Measurements over the New York City Metropolitan Area The contractor shall provide a research aircraft and associated operational support to conduct atmospheric measurements over the New York City metropolitan area.

Services shall include:

● Getting an aircraft airworthy.

● Installation of NOAA instruments on the airplane.

● Flight planning coordinated with NOAA scientists and FAA requirements.

● Execution of a few test research flights.

● Collection of meteorological and chemical data.

● Support for atmospheric chemistry and emissions characterization.

Deliverables

● Research aircraft and flight crew.

● Completed test flights.

● Aircraft navigation and meteorological and chemical datasets.

● Flight documentation and operational reports.

Task 3 – Mobile Ceilometer and Methane Source Characterization The contractor shall provide a mobile atmospheric remote sensing platform equipped with a scanning or vertically pointing ceilometer to measure planetary boundary layer height and atmospheric structure during field operations.

The contractor should also have the capability to deploy a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-compliant unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with an Aeris Strato methane/ethane analyzer (or equivalent) to characterize methane emissions from selected point sources when requested by NOAA.

Services may include:

● Mobile deployment of the ceilometer.

● Continuous boundary layer measurements.

● UAS operations performed by qualified and certified pilots.

● Collection of methane, ethane, meteorological, and positional measurements.

● Coordination with NOAA field personnel.

Deliverables

● Mobile ceilometer measurements.

● Boundary layer height data products.

● UAS measurement datasets (when applicable).

● Quality-controlled methane, ethane, and meteorological observations.

● Field logs and summary reports.

Task 4 – Analysis of Data Collected in Boston during SOCCER-AQ Field Study The SOCCER-AQ (Study of Urban Chemical Composition and Emissions Research – Air Quality) field campaign includes mobile laboratory measurements conducted in the Boston metropolitan area to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of meteorology, air pollutants, and atmospheric tracers.

These observations complement airborne measurements by providing near-surface information on urban emission patterns, source signatures, and pollutant gradients that are not readily resolved from aircraft observations alone.

The selected performer shall analyze the mobile measurement data collected during the Boston deployment to identify and quantify emission signatures from major urban source sectors, including transportation, natural gas infrastructure, industrial activities, and other anthropogenic sources. The analysis shall integrate meteorological information, geospatial data, and ancillary observations to interpret pollutant distributions and identify potential emission hotspots. Where appropriate, the analysis should compare observations with available emissions inventories, air quality monitoring data, and atmospheric model products to evaluate the representation of urban emissions.

The results will contribute to improved understanding of urban emissions and atmospheric chemistry in the Boston metropolitan area and support NOAA's broader objectives of improving emissions characterization, air quality forecasting, and greenhouse gas monitoring.

Deliverables

● Quality Assurance and Data Processing

● Scientific Analysis

● Summary Report

● Presentations at scientific conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals

Task 5 – Administration and Coordination of Tasks 1–4

The selected contractor shall serve as the prime contractor responsible for the overall administrative management and coordination of Tasks 1 through 4. The contractor shall establish and manage subcontracts, as appropriate, with the organizations performing the technical work; monitor technical and financial progress; coordinate communications among all participating organizations and NOAA; and ensure that all deliverables are submitted in a timely manner.

The contractor shall provide administrative oversight throughout the performance period while minimizing the administrative burden on the technical performers. Responsibilities include subcontract administration, invoice management, financial tracking, progress reporting, meeting coordination, and delivery of consolidated reports and invoices to NOAA. The contractor is not expected to provide technical oversight of the scientific work beyond ensuring contractual compliance and effective project coordination.

Deliverables

The selected contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

1. Subcontract Administration

○ Execute and manage subcontracts with the organizations selected to perform Tasks 1–4.

○ Ensure that subcontract statements of work, budgets, and periods of performance are consistent with the NOAA award.

2. Project Management

○ Serve as the primary administrative point of contact between NOAA and all subcontractors.

○ Coordinate project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.

○ Organize and participate in periodic coordination meetings with NOAA and the subcontractors.

3. Financial Administration

○ Receive, review, and process subcontractor invoices.

○ Verify that invoices are consistent with approved budgets and contractual requirements.

○ Submit consolidated invoices and any required financial documentation to NOAA.

○ Maintain financial records and provide budget status updates upon request.

4. Final Project Documentation

○ Submit a final administrative report summarizing project activities, subcontract performance, major milestones, and contract completion.

○ Ensure that all technical reports, datasets, presentations, and other required deliverables from Tasks 1–4 have been received and transmitted to NOAA.

5. Project Closeout

○ Complete all subcontract closeout activities.

○ Submit final consolidated financial documentation and certify completion of all contractual requirements.

4. Requested Delivery Date or Period of performance (for services): From September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.