This Combined Synopsis/Solicitation opportunity from National Aeronautics And Space Administration was posted on June 8, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Project
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center seeks to procure multiple models of the CIMEL CE318-T series of Sun-Sky-Lunar Spectral Photometers along with necessary parts for their repair, maintenance, and upgrade, including tracking robots and advanced control boxes. These photometers are critical for monitoring aerosol optical properties and maintaining a consistent long-term dataset essential for climate change research and satellite validation under NASA's global programs. The contract will be a sole-source, Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) awarded to CIMEL ELECTRONIQUE, the only responsible source capable of meeting NASA's stringent specifications for the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) project, which has relied exclusively on CIMEL's instrumentation for over 30 years. The contract period will extend for five years, utilizing commercial acquisition procedures under FAR Part 12. Although NASA is issuing a sole-source requirement based on unique technical qualifications, interested parties may submit their qualifications by June 23, 2026, for potential consideration of a competitive process, though the government retains full discretion on this decision. The procurement is managed by the NASA Goddard office, with Kermit Stanbach serving as the primary point of contact. The acquisition supports the continued standardization and operational consistency across AERONET’s global monitoring efforts, emphasizing the critical need for the CE318-T photometers and associated equipment to maintain the integrity and continuity of aerosol data collection.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
MD, FRASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
NASA/GSFC has a requirement for several models of the CIMEL CE318-T family of Sun-Sky-Lunar Spectral Photometers and necessary parts for the repair, maintenance, and upgrade of the photometers; tracking robots; and advanced control boxes. These photometers monitor aerosol optical properties and provide a uniform database for the long-term characterization of aerosol optical properties within NASA’s global climate change and satellite validation programs.
NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source, Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to acquire the items from CIMEL ELECTRONIQUE in support of NASA’s Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) program. The period of performance for this contract will be 5 (five) years. This requirement is being is pursuant to 10 U.S.C 3204(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source. The network has been in existence for over 30 years, and no other source is available within the market to provide instrumentation that meets the Government’s needs, other than CIMEL. The AERONET Project has grown due to standardization across all aspects of the program. This includes data processing, data measurement protocols, calibration procedures, and scientific equipment. With respect to the latter, one fundamental photometer produced by CIMEL ELECTRONIQUE, the CE318-T, has been the only instrument used in and designed to the specific requirements of the AERONET program. Award to any other vendor would not meet the Government’s instrumentation schedule requirements.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial product or service using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Kermit Stanbach, Contracting Specialist, at Kermit.S.Stanbach@nasa.gov, not later than 4:00 PM EST on June 23, 2026. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf.
