Phased Array Radar (PAR) Test Article

INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY.

This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes; it does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation. This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is not seeking proposals at this time. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any costs incurred in response to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation.

The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned.  Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such.

REQUIREMENT

The Department of Commerce (DOC), NOAA, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) has a need for a Phased Array Radar (PAR) test article (aka Radar Test Article). NSSL will conduct risk reduction activities that will support the National Weather Service (NWS) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) for the next operational radar system, as indicated in the Report to Congress on the Weather Radar Follow-On Plan: Research and Risk Reduction to Inform Acquisition Decisions (PWS Appendix A). This report highlights the need for further development of PAR technology, if it is to be considered as a long-term option for the next phase of NWS operational radar system. NOAA, OAR, NSSL will conduct risk reduction activities on an acquired PAR test article to investigate the feasibility and capability of a dual linear polarized, S-band, PAR system that can:

• Serve as a proof-of-concept of a single face rotating PAR weather surveillance radar;
• Provide rapid volume update times (1.5 minutes to 2 minutes) through a combination of electronic and mechanical scanning rather than traditional mechanically rotating parabolic antennas; and
• Provide a scanning capability allowing multiple simultaneous beams to test various advanced operational modes (scanning methods) and assess data quality tradeoffs.

The technical knowledge learned from the test article risk reduction research and development (R&D) will be shared with the NWS to support their AoA for the next operational weather radar system.

See attached draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for additional details.

PURPOSE

To identify sources, including small and socioeconomic small business concerns, capable of performing the following capabilities (as specified in the PWS):

1. Development and delivery of a Radar Test Article (RTA);
2. Construction of a Radar Test Facility (RTF) in Norman, OK;
3. Installation/integration of the RTA within the RTF;
4. Creation of documentation and training to facilitate the transfer of operations and support to the government; and
5. Additional/ongoing support from the contractor to troubleshoot the system and/or support hardware and software modifications necessary to support NOAA’s PAR Research and Development (R&D) program.

RESPONSE DEADLINE AND REQUESTED INFORMATION

Respondents are encouraged to prepare a capabilities statement that addresses the capabilities identified in the Purpose section.  Responses to this notice should be submitted in the form of Microsoft Word and/or PDF (searchable format) documents attached to emails received no later than 12:00 p.m. MST, November 4, 2022.  Responses shall be submitted to:

• Contracting Officer, Molly Jackson, at molly.jackson@noaa.gov
• Contract Specialist, Julia Hamilton, at julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov

The statement of capability shall also include the information listed below:

1. Company Name/Division, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone, FAX numbers, and website address (if available).
2. Single point-of-contact name, title, telephone, and email address.
3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Please note that offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at SAM.gov at the time an offer or quotation is submitted in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements.
4. Indicate if your firm qualifies as a small business under NAICS Code 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, and socio-economic status, if qualified as one or more of the following:
   1. 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA)
   2. Small Disadvantaged Business
   3. Woman-Owned Small Business (must be certified by SBA)
   4. HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA)
   5. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
5. Vendors may provide any other information determined to be important and relevant to the purposes of this Sources Sought.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS

Some respondents may be asked to provide additional information regarding the matters addressed in this notice. Those respondents will be contacted directly if there is a need for further information.

QUESTIONS

Respondents may submit questions regarding this notice to the contact(s) listed below. Responses to questions may be posted on SAM.gov. Please send any questions you may have to Contracting Officer, Molly Jackson, at molly.jackson@noaa.gov and Contract Specialist, Julia Hamilton, at julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov.