Notice of Intent - Radio Occultation Data Buy 2 (RODB-2) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Maximum Value Increase

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office, Satellite and Information Acquisition Division located at 1325 East-West Highway Silver Spring Metro Center Building 2 Silver Spring, MD 20910, intends to modify existing multiple award IDIQ contract(s), Contract numbers 1332KP23DNEEP0001 and 1332KP23DNEEP0002 with SPACE SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING LLC (PlanetiQ) and SPIRE GLOBAL SUBSIDIARY, INC. (Spire), respectively to increase the contract maximum value by 95% on the basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1), implemented in FAR 6.103-1: “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements”. Spire Global Subsidiary, Inc. and Space Sciences and Engineering LLC (dba PlanetiQ) are the only current vendors capable of providing RO data that meet the requirements of the SOW based on recent market research. No new entrants were identified in a 2025 on-ramping Request for Information (RFI) published on SAM.gov on Mar 14, 2025.

The proposed sources are Space Sciences and Engineering LLC dba PlanetiQ and Spire Global Subsidiary, Inc.. located 15000 West 6th Avenue, Suite 202 Golden, CO, 80401 (PlanetiQ) and 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1100 Vienna, VA, 22182 (Spire), respectively. This increase is required due to increased CDP budgets, additional requirements for purchasing more RO data, procurement for low latency total electron content (TEC), and the increased capability of the vendors to provide additional RO and TEC data due to numerous satellite launches and improved capabilities. The increased need for data emanated from the FY2025 increased budgets and a more sufficient understanding of the RO profile quantity-to-impact relationship of assimilating higher quantities of data into NOAA’s numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Recent model impact studies provide clearer evidence that more RO data significantly improves the weather models. Since the RODB-2 IDIQ began, an increase in commercial satellite capacities and more efficient data processing capabilities led to more available data that met or exceeded purchase requirements. Without this data delivery extension, product outages, and security issues would jeopardize weather preparedness in remote locations, affecting the health and safety of people and infrastructure in the event of a weather event. Continuous data access is essential to enable robust testing, evaluation, integration, and overall operational readiness.

The Government anticipates modifying existing Firm Fixed Price contracts 1332KP23DNEEP0001 and 1332KP23DNEEP0002. This notice is published for informational purposes only and is not a request for competitive quotations. However, any firm who believes they can meet this requirement may submit a response in writing. Responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating the company's ability to meet the above requirements. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Written responses must be received no later than 15 calendar days after publication of this synopsis to the person listed as the Government point of contact in this announcement. All questions must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Government Contract Specialist. If no responses are received, the Government will proceed with the sole source negotiation.

NOTHING HEREIN SHOULD BE MISCONSTRUED AS A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, QUOTES OR BIDS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE OR WILL BE ISSUED.

The National Industry Classification Systems Code is 518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services, and the size standard is $ 40,000,000. Please direct any questions regarding this notice to both Mrs. Cherron Bennett-Pettus, Contract Specialist at cherron.bennett-pettus@noaa.gov and to Ms.  Suzanna Espinoza, Contracting Officer at suzanna.espinoza@noaa.gov