NOAA Commercial Data Program: Microwave Sounder Pilot Study Draft SOW

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commercial Data Program (CDP) intends to issue one or more contract(s) for the requirements described in the attached draft Microwave Sounder (MWS) Pilot Study Statement of Work (SOW). To facilitate this, the Government is requesting that interested parties submit feedback and/or comments.

The Government does not intend to issue individual responses to submissions, but they will be used to inform any changes to the draft document prior to the formal solicitation estimated to be released in late 4QFY2024. This RFI is for informational purposes only; it is not a request for proposals or a solicitation for a contract or grant award and it does not obligate the Government in any way. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with responding to this request.

This request serves as an opportunity for industry to provide input on all aspects of the draft SOW. Additional questions included below are also a continuation of general market research related to the NESDIS Commercial Data Pilot (CDP) program.

Submittal Instructions Responses must be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer Suzanna Espinoza (suzanna.espinoza@noaa.gov) and Contract Specialist Cherron Bennett-Pettus (cherron.bennett-pettus@noaa.gov) no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time on June 19, 2024. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages, including supporting appendices, title page(s), tables, graphics, pictures, and figures. A page is defined as an 8.5 by 11 inch area with information contained within an image area of 7 by 9 inches.

Type size shall be 12 point proportional font. Information shall be submitted in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and/or Adobe Acrobat PDF formats. Use of Information Received This RFI does not guarantee that the Government will issue a request for proposal (RFP) or award a contract for supplies or services. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable government regulations.

Any material received will be considered to be public domain unless clearly marked (on each page) as proprietary. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified.

Respondents are hereby notified that, as part of this evaluation, NOAA intends to share the information obtained from this market research with members of the Interagency Committee for Advancing Weather Services (ICAMS), which comprises representatives from NOAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of the Interior.

ICAMS intends to use this information to foster interagency coordination on approaches to purchasing commercial weather data for operational use within the Federal Weather Enterprise. Respondents are also notified that in the process of evaluation, agencies may use Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and supporting contractors. Not responding to this RFI will not preclude an entity from submitting a proposal to any subsequent NOAA solicitations.