A -- Revised GOES-R Acquisition Strategy

On November 29, 2004 NOAA posted a presolicitation notice (reference number: NE-EK000-5-00033) which identified a phased, single prime contractor acquisition approach for the procurement of an end-to-end fully integrated contract for space and ground systems for the GOES-R satellite. Since that time NOAA has awarded system Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) contracts in support of the Acquisition and Operations phase. The Program has revised its program management and acquisition strategies to strengthen government oversight and control and to leverage the unique capabilities of NOAA and NASA. NOAA believes the revised acquisition strategy and management approach reduces program risk and maximizes NOAA's potential for fielding a high performing satellite system on schedule and within budget. The revised acquisition strategy replaces the single prime contract approach with multiple contracts. NOAA will retain overall program management responsibility. NOAA will acquire the ground system, operate the system following satellite launch, and will be responsible for algorithm development. NASA will award the spacecraft contract. NASA will also continue to award the instrument contracts and will provide the instruments to the spacecraft contractor as Government Furnished Equipment. NASA will acquire the launch vehicle under a separate contract. NASA will manage systems engineering and integration. The GOES-R Program intends to release requests for proposals (RFP) for both space and ground segments by the Fall of 2007, and award the contracts by the Summer of 2008. This announcement is for information purposes only; it is not a solicitation, nor is it a request for a capabilities statement from vendors. Any proposal documents, capabilities statements and marketing information submitted by vendors will be used for market research purposes only. Additional details regarding these acquisitions will be provided subsequently.