InterMet Systems IMET-54 Radiosondes

Notice Number: 145034240096SM

Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis

Title: InterMet Systems IMET-54 Radiosondes

Response Date: August 23, 2024

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a pre-solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified U.S. Domestic businesses, which could include Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Women Owned Small Business firms and even Large Businesses. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Earth Systems Research Laboratories (ESRL), Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) conducts launches of balloon borne ozonesonde and water vapor/aerosol instruments from up to nine (9) sites around the world, launching three to four ozonesondes per month. A necessary component of the ozonesonde instrument is the meteorological radiosonde that interfaces with the unique ozonesonde electronics board to merge and transmit data during flight to the receiving station running SkySonde telemetry software.  The InterMet Systems IMET-54 radiosonde, interfaced with the ozonesonde, water vapor, and aerosol instruments, is the only method for obtaining high-resolution vertical profile measurements with necessary meteorological data from surface through the stratospheric ozone layer to eventual balloon-burst at approximately 20 miles altitude.

INTENDED USE/PURPOSE:

The InterMet Systems IMET-54 radiosonde measures air temperature with a small

glass bead thermistor. Its small size minimizes effects caused by long and short-wave radiation and ensures fast response times. The humidity sensor is a thin-film capacitive polymer that responds directly to relative humidity. Radiosonde height is provided by the integrated GNSS receiver, and pressure is derived from the reported altitude, combined with the temperature and humidity readings. Wind speed and direction reporting during the sounding is derived from the GNSS position information, with processing algorithms ensuring that wind vectors are not affected by swinging of the radiosonde beneath the balloon. Packet transmission uses error correction techniques to ensure reliable, accurate data reception for all expected link conditions. This is the only known instrument that can meet the Government’s needs, and this notice’s intent is to identify any other products that meet the full requirements listed below.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/ESSENTIAL SALIENT FEATURES:

Measurements:

Measurement cycle: 1 Hz

Temperature Sensor: Glass bead

Measurement range: +60°C to -100°C

Resolution: 0.01°C

Response time: still air/ 6 m/s (1000 hPa): < 2 / < 1 sec

Repeatability in Calibration: < 0.1°C

Combined Uncertainty/Reproducibility: > 100 hPa, 0.3°C / 0.1°C; < 100 hPa, 0.5°C / 0.25°C

Humidity Sensor: Capacitive polymer

Measurement range: 0 to 100% RH

Resolution: 0.01%

Response time: @ 20°C, < 0.4 sec; @ 0°C, < 1 sec; @ -20°C, < 3.2 sec; @ -40°C, < 20 sec

Repeatability in Calibration: < 2%

Uncertainty: < 4%

Reproducibility: < 3%

Pressure: GNSS derived

Measurement range: SFC to 3 hPa

Resolution: 0.01 hPa

Uncertainty/Reproducibility: 1100 - 400 hPa, < 1.0 / 0.6 hPa; 400 - 100 hPa, < 0.4 / 0.3 hPa; 100 – 3 hPa, <0.2 / 0.2 hPa

Geopotential Height: GNSS derived

Measurement range: SFC to 50 km

Resolution: 0.1 m

Uncertainty: < 8 m

Reproducibility: < 5 m

Wind: GNSS derived

Wind speed range: 0 to 180 m/s

Wind speed resolution: 0.1 m/s

Wind speed uncertainty: < 0.15 m/s

Wind speed reproducibility: < 0.10 m/s

Wind direction range: 0 to 360°

Wind direction resolution: 0.01°

Wind direction uncertainty: < 1°

Wind direction reproducibility: < 1°

Telemetry:

Transmission type: Synthesized

Maximum range: > 250 km

Frequency band: 400.15 – 406 MHz

Frequency stability: +/- 1 kHz

Deviation, peak to peak: 4.8 kHz

Output power: 150 mW

Modulation: GFSK

Data rate: 480 bit/s

Operational Data:

Battery: Lithium

Operating time: > 180 minutes

Weight: 80 grams

Dimensions (L x W x H): 235 x 70 x 30 mm

Calibration Stability: 2 years

Power / control: Wireless or push button

GNSS Receiver:

Number of channels: 99

GNSS systems used: GPS + GLONASS + Galileo

Cold start acquisition time: 35 sec (nominal)

Reacquisition time: 1 s (nominal)

Horizontal position accuracy: 2.5 m (CEP)

DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

Deliver by 90 days after award.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334519 with a size standard of 600 employees.

Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm’s capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm’s name, address, point of contact, telephone number, UEID Number, CCR CAGE Number, business type and size (i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, etc.). Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to provide the items as specified above.

This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that any procurement action may be issued for the Government’s requirements.

No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise because of the submission of contractor’s information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered and active with the System for Award Management (SAM) website.

NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded based on responses received to this notice.