Replacement Radiosondes for the National Logistics Support Center in Grandview, MO.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition and Grants Office, Eastern Acquisition Division-Kansas City intends to negotiate and award a purchase order, on a sole source basis, under authority of RFO FAR 6.103-1, with Vaisala for replacement radiosondes (p/n RS41-SGP) to be delivered to the National Logistics Support Center in Grandview, MO.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s Sole Source Justification. The RS41-SGP has been utilized since the inception of Automatic Radiosonde Observing Systems (AROS) into the National Weather Service (NWS). While the remaining NWS AROS sites have since transitioned to the RS41-SG model, which lacks a pressure sensor, the Barrow, AK site has remained a SGP site. This decision is based on the site's critical need for surface pressure data, as well as its collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE launches radiosondes at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z, whereas the NWS only operates at 00Z and 12Z. The DOE mandates that the radiosondes launched during these times be the RS41-SGP Vaisala model. This equipment will consistently fulfill all necessary requirements and maintain high standards for accuracy and reliability. This radiosonde will continue to meet all necessary requirements and be form/fit/function of the current configuration, allowing for continued mission critical data collection as the entry point into the northern tier of the United States. Without the radiosondes, weather balloons will no longer be able to be launched at this facility which would affect the weather prediction data in this region of the country. Without the weather data, weather models will begin to lose accuracy and impede the NWS mission of protecting life and property.

Vaisala is the only manufacturer of the RS41-SGP Radiosonde. This order will supply the Barrow, AK upper air observing site, a critical upstream data location which drives a majority of CONUS weather. Radiosondes are instruments on weather balloons that collect critical atmospheric variables, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and winds at various altitudes, which are essential for weather forecasts and weather models.

This pre-solicitation notice is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government’s requirements may submit substantiating documentation or a request for additional information in writing to the (Contract Specialist) within 15 days after publication of this pre-solicitation notice. Such requests and documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this pre-solicitation notice.