66 -- Ceilometers request for industry review and comment

The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) program has a need to replace its 1089 aging ceilometers (cloud height sensors). The current ceilometer detects clouds and measures cloud heights to 12,000 feet. The new requirement is 25,000 feet for most locations in support of aviation requirements, and 40,000 feet at approximately 240 locations in support of both aviation and climate requirements. The project budget is $31.4M spread over 2005 through 2009. This acquisition as currently envisioned will consist of four phases: Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Sensor Evaluation, Development & System Integration, Limited Production, and Full Scale Production. The Government intends to award firm fixed-price contracts to several vendors for the COTS Sensor Evaluation phase, with the three other phases as firm fixed-price options. The Government intends to down select to one or two vendors for the optional phases. Award of each optional phase will be contingent upon successful completion of the preceding phase. Additional details may be found in the attached draft Pricing Structure, Statement of Work, and Specification. Interested parties are requested to notify the contracting officer that they wish to receive the Request for Proposals (RFP). Further, timely comments about the draft documents will be considered as the government finalizes its acquisition strategy and the RFP. Please direct questions and comments to the contracting officer. Draft documents are posted at the following web address: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/solindex.shtml