Sources Sought Notice.docx.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

SKYFORA OY StreamSonde Dropsonde

This Sources Sought Notice is not a Request for Proposal and does not constitute a commitment by the Government. The Government is currently conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, to identify potential sources to fulfill the requirement and gather information on current capabilities of businesses within the market. All information submitted in response to the Sources Sought Notice is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Proprietary information submitted should be marked appropriately. All submitted information shall remain with the U.S. Government and will not be returned.

The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) in support of the Platform Infrastructure Acquisition Division (PIAD) for SKYFORA OY StreamSonde Dropsondes.

Response Requirements (Limited to 15 pages total) Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall submit a statement of capabilities, not to exceed 15 pages, encompassing the following information:

(1) Company Profile

a. Company Name;

b. Company Address;

c. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI);

d. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code applicable and corresponding business size for the NAICS Code(s) indicated;

e. Applicable General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) and

Schedule Item Numbers (SIN) (include all that apply to this requirement)

f. Small Business Administration (SBA) certified small business concern status and/or socio-economic status (if applicable);

g. Primary point of contact information and Secondary point of contact (Name, Title, Phone, and Email).

(2) The Government currently utilizes the Skyfora OY StreamSonde dropsonde, however the Capability Demonstration should demonstrate how the vendor’s dropsonde can meet the minimum requirements stated below:

The minimum requirements provided below would allow for interconnectivity and the capability of NOAA Fleet systems to be interchangeable. The requirements for the dropsonde are: The minimum requirements for Streamsonde dropsondes to achieve interconnectivity and interchangeability with NOAA Fleet systems primarily revolve around adhering to the existing standards for data format, sensor capabilities, and communication protocols used by NOAA's Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System (AVAPS) and related dropsonde systems.

1. Core Meteorological Data Parameters

The StreamSonde must measure the fundamental atmospheric parameters that are standard for all NOAA dropsonde deployments:

Pressure (P) Temperature (T) Humidity (U) Wind Speed and Direction (typically derived from GPS/GNSS positioning)

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2. Data Format and Transmission Standards

For the data to be assimilated into NOAA's real-time forecasting models and archived, it must conform to:

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Standard Format: The data must be converted into the standardized TEMP DROP code messages or a compatible format for real-time transmission to centers like the National Centers for Environmental Prediction

(NCEP).

High-Resolution Data Rate: Standard GPS dropsondes provide measurements at 2 Hz (two times per second). The StreamSonde data output must be at a resolution that is compatible with or better than the standard required for high-resolution processing (like NOAA's High-Resolution Dropsonde Data Archive, which often uses 2 Hz data).

3. Physical and Electronic Compatibility

Interchangeability on NOAA aircraft generally means the dropsonde must be deployable using the existing launcher hardware.

Physical Form Factor: Although the StreamSonde is noted as an ultralight dropsonde (weighing approx 14 grams) compared to traditional GPS dropsondes (weighing approx 350 grams), it must be compatible with the launch tube or an adapted sleeve/mechanism on the aircraft.

Acoustic/Radio Frequency (RF) Signal: The StreamSonde must transmit on a frequency and use a modulation scheme that can be reliably received by the AVAPS on NOAA aircraft.

4. Wind Measurement Accuracy

A critical requirement is accurate wind data, especially at lower altitudes near the surface.

GNSS-based Wind Data: The StreamSonde uses an in-house developed dual-band GNSS receiver for high-accuracy wind and turbulence data, which provides the modern standard for wind profile measurement necessary for TC research.

Government Point of Contact Company brochures will not be considered in lieu of a capability statement. Interested firms shall submit their statement of capabilities to Amy McLiverty, Contract Specialist, at Amy.L.McLiverty@noaa.gov and Jana Kolb, Contracting Officer, at Jana.Kolb@noaa.gov by no later than 12:00 p.m. ET on January 26, 2025. Any questions or responses regarding this notice must be submitted to Amy McLiverty via the above email address provided. Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely to conduct informed decisions regarding the potential procurement strategy of this requirement. No telephone requests will be honored. Firms that are interested in subcontracting opportunities related to portions of this requirement should contact potential firms directly.

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