Request for Information (RFI) USNIC SAR Data
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Agency
-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 517410 Satellite Telecommunications
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service, Ocean Prediction Center, and U.S. National Ice Center issued a Request for Information on August 25, 2026, seeking vendor capability and pricing data for georeferenced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery with global coverage, 24/7/365 availability, and near-real-time delivery within four hours of satellite acquisition; responses are due September 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST.
USNIC requires 60 million square kilometers of annual SAR coverage in accessible GeoTIFF format to support operational ice observation and tactical decision support at polar latitudes in poor weather and low-illumination conditions. Delivery beyond the four-hour window from sensor acquisition to final processed product prevents USNIC from fulfilling time-critical operational requirements and responding to tactical maritime needs. NAICS 517410 (Satellite Telecommunications) applies, with a $35 million size standard.
Respondents must address six information sections: organizational control and tasking authority over SAR constellation(s); commercial tasking tiers and minimum latency windows, including cancellation policies; technical capabilities for C-band dual-polarization imagery or equivalent frequency performance; achievement of four-hour latency and automated low-bandwidth delivery pipelines; recommended pricing models (Firm Fixed Price or alternative) and cost premiums for four-hour versus standard 24-hour latency; and licensing and data rights alignment supporting perpetual U.S. Government retention, AI/ML derived product creation, and sharing with the North American Ice Service.
Submissions must be in PDF format with separately numbered pages, directed to Contracting Officer Graham Chapman at graham.chapman@noaa.gov. Respondents must also provide business size classification, small-business growth trajectory if applicable, and relevant certifications (HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(a)) or GSA Schedule numbers. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only; it does not constitute a solicitation, obligate the government, guarantee contract award, or require government reimbursement of response costs. An amendment issued August 28, 2026, corrected the response deadline to match the posting date of September 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
***Amendment 8/28/2026: This amendment is to update the response date in the RFI attachment to match the response date in the posting. The correct response date for this RFI is 9/25/2026 at 2:00PM PST.
This RFI notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. It is not a request for quotes nor does it obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. Additionally, this RFI notice does not guarantee that the government will issue a request for quotes or award a contract for supplies or services.
The National Weather Service (NWS), Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) has a need for georeferenced GeoTIFFs of global coverage in accessible electronic format 24/7/365 and with the capability of near-real-time latency. SAR imagery’s benefits remain helpful to the persistence of USNIC’s operational programs of earth surface observation in the poor weather or illumination conditions of the polar latitudes. Near-real-time latency is considered to be the capability of delivering images deemed to be time critical to USNIC no more than approximately four (4) hours from time of satellite acquisition. Delivery beyond this period prohibits the USNIC from fulfilling an operational requirement to produce timely products and respond to tactical needs.
**See attached documents for information being requested and further details**
Update #1 ·
This RFI notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. It is not a request for quotes nor does it obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. Additionally, this RFI notice does not guarantee that the government will issue a request for quotes or award a contract for supplies or services.
The National Weather Service (NWS), Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) has a need for georeferenced GeoTIFFs of global coverage in accessible electronic format 24/7/365 and with the capability of near-real-time latency. SAR imagery’s benefits remain helpful to the persistence of USNIC’s operational programs of earth surface observation in the poor weather or illumination conditions of the polar latitudes. Near-real-time latency is considered to be the capability of delivering images deemed to be time critical to USNIC no more than approximately four (4) hours from time of satellite acquisition. Delivery beyond this period prohibits the USNIC from fulfilling an operational requirement to produce timely products and respond to tactical needs.
**See attached documents for information being requested and further details**
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