Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Network Modernization & Management Paradigm Analysis

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 (Market Research), the DOC, NOAA, NWS is conducting market research to determine the capabilities, commerciality, and competitive landscape of the market, specifically targeting qualified Small Business concerns (including 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Businesses).

This market research will assist the NWS in defining its acquisition strategy for the wholesale modernization, technology refresh, and operational support of the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). The NWS is evaluating the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and data continuity risks associated with blending three distinct management paradigms across approximately 6,700 highly distributed surface observation sites:

1. Government-Owned, Government-Operated (GO-GO) [Current State]: Hardware is federally procured and maintained directly by NWS personnel.
2. Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GO-CO): Standard hardware is federally procured, but field installation, preventive maintenance, and emergency restorative services are outsourced to a commercial provider.
3. Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (CO-CO) / "Data-as-a-Service" (DaaS): The NWS does not own hardware or manage field logistics; instead, it subscribes to quality-controlled, climatological-grade data streams from commercial or state-level mesonet operators.

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposals, bids, or quotes. No contract will be awarded directly from this notice, and the Government will not pay for any information submitted in response.