INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE, Skyfora StreamSonde dropsondes, Operational and Technical Support Services

NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT

The U.S.  Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisitions Division (EAD) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operation (OMAO), Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) will solicit and award the requirement herein on a sole source basis with Skyfora located at  Itälahdenkatu 22A, Helsinki, 00210 Finland, for a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), contract for the supply of  Skyfora OY, Skyfora StreamSonde dropsonde and Operational and Technical Support Services. The authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1 entitled, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements, under FAR 6.302-1(a), When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source.

The Skyfora StreamSonde’s distinctive features provide data that traditional dropsondes cannot, which is crucial for advancing hurricane forecasting and research. The features are:

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)

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.
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.

The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a corresponding size standard of 600 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 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 amy.l.mcliverty@noaa.gov by 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on February 2, 2026.