NOAA 14.2 Meter Antenna RF Feed Upgrade/Replacement

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a requirement for the upgrade or replacement of the Polar 14.2-meter antenna Radio Frequency Feed Assemblies. NOAA intends to award a purchase order to CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies Inc. (CPI) on a sole source basis.

CPI is the 14.2-meter antenna’s Original Equipment Manufacturer and is the uniquely qualified contractor to perform this prime focus feed replacement due to their extensive knowledge of the existing feed system and their recent upgrade of the 14.2-meter Antenna Control System (ACS).

As part of the ACS upgrade, CPI integrated a new monopulse tracking system (plate) which enables the antenna to “auto track” by utilizing error & sum channel signaling generated by the exiting prime focus feed and its associated tracking elements. CPI has exclusive knowledge of the interaction and dependencies between the monopulse tracking plate and the error & sum channel signals that it uses as inputs to enable the critical “auto track” function.

This functionality is tightly coupled into their ACS software, which is integrated into the NOAA Low-Earth Orbit-T Monitor and Control System. Providers other than CPI, will require extensive reengineering and access to documents that may not be available due to their proprietary to CPI nature. NOAA intends to issue a written Request for Quotation with the anticipated award date being no later than July 15, 2024. Please see the attached Statement of Work for more details.

The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 1901, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures up to $7.5 million as authorized by FAR 13.500(a) and implemented by FAR 13.501(a). This is for procurement of commercial services in accordance with FAR Subpart 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 1,250 employee-based. This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on the Contract Opportunities website. The determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist at kortney.carter@noaa.gov.