Sources Sought Notice.docx

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY - Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government and respondents will not be entitled to payment of direct or indirect cost incurred in responding to this Sources Sought Notice. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this Sources Sought Notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), is conducting market research for the purpose of assessing the current and near future marketplace and potential vendors capable of providing up to 18,960 General Purpose 20 km (GP-20) aerological sounding balloons annually to support NWS radiosonde observations required by the Office of Observations (OBS) and its NWS Weather Forecast Offices. An aerological sounding balloon is a balloon used to carry radiosondes aloft. Radiosondes measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, and wind direction from the surface to an altitude of approximately 30,000 meters. The radiosonde observations are a critical source of meteorological data for weather forecast models. The NWS radiosonde observations provide atmospheric observations for development of watches, warnings, weather forecasts and aviation support. The NOAA/NWS publishes 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, and 48-hour upper level atmospheric models for watches, warnings, forecasts, and aviation support.

The aerological sounding balloons are launched at all 102 NWS Upper-Air sites and thus must survive a wide variety of launch and flight weather conditions, while providing an average ascent rate of 5 m/s for accurate sensor measurements. The aerological sounding balloon performance is critical to accurate sensor readings on the supported radiosonde observations. The aerological sounding balloon performance specification provides the radiosonde sensors with optimal ascent rate and burst altitude necessary for reliable and accurate radiosonde observations. Although aerological sounding balloons are provided commercially, the Government requires First Article Tests (FAT) to ensure the aerological sounding balloon meets the required performance.

The Government anticipates awarding a single award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a Not to Exceed Ceiling and Firm Fixed Price unit-level provisions based on a best value basis. This will allow the National Weather Service Upper Air Program Office to accomplish its mission of supporting 18,960 radiosonde observations per year.

Information provided in response to this Sources Sought will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process for purchase of GP-20 aerological sounding balloons. A response to this Sources Sought Notice is necessary in order to assist NWS in determining the potential levels of interest, adequacy of competition, and market maturity and technical capabilities within the business community to provide the required capabilities. The anticipated associated NAICS is 326299, All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 650 employees.

Requested Information

· Populated Google Form, here: https://forms.gle/XPuXAsWBA6gbVYHY7

· Name of Company

· SAM UEI

· Address

· Point of Contact/Company Representative

· Phone Number/Email Address

· Size standard classification

· GSA Federal Supply Schedule number, if applicable

Response Format and Delivery Requirements The Government requests all electronic responses, including the Google Form submission, be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Primary Point of Contact:

Alice Park Contracting Specialist Alice.Park@noaa.gov