Airborne and Mobile Measurements to support NOAA ARL’s Research on Meteorology and Atmospheric Chemistry

Airborne and Mobile Measurements to support NOAA ARL’s Research on Meteorology and Atmospheric Chemistry

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with part 12. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation number 145022-26-0017 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ), for specialized aircraft and remote sensing measurement services to support NOAA atmospheric research.

The objectives are to:

• Characterize meteorological conditions, atmospheric chemistry, and emissions over the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area.
• Characterize meteorological conditions, atmospheric chemistry, and emissions over the New York City metropolitan area.
• Measure atmospheric boundary layer evolution using a mobile ceilometer and characterize methane emissions from selected point sources using a drone-mounted methane analyzer when appropriate.
• Analyze the data collected in Boston during the SOCCER-AQ field campaign in summer 2026.
• Provide high-quality scientific observations that can be integrated with NOAA aircraft, mobile laboratory, satellite, and surface monitoring data.
• Support development and evaluation of atmospheric transport models, emissions inventories, and air quality forecasting systems.

This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.  The associated NAICS code is 541715.  The small business size standard is 1,000.

The Government intends to award a low priced, technically acceptable firm fixed-price purchase order on an all or none with payment terms of Net 30.

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

(ii) A list of line-item number(s) and items, quantities, and units of measure (including option(s), if applicable).

CLIN 0001 

Services, non-personal, to provide all labor, equipment and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for Airborne and Mobile Measurements at the Air Resources Laboratory’s ASMD in Riverdale Park, MD, in accordance with the Statement of Work. Period of Performance September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027.

Task 1 – Airborne Atmospheric Measurements over the Washington, DC/Baltimore Metropolitan Area

The contractor shall provide a suitably equipped research aircraft, qualified flight crew, maintenance support, and operational services to conduct research flights over the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan region.

Services shall include:

• Aircraft operation in accordance with all FAA regulations.
• Flight planning in coordination with NOAA scientists.
• Multiple research flights during the field campaign.
• Capability to fly prescribed scientific flight patterns at varying altitudes within FAA operational constraints.
• Accommodation of NOAA scientific instrumentation, as appropriate.
• Collection and delivery of aircraft navigation, meteorological, and flight data.

Deliverables

• Research aircraft and flight crew.
• Completed research flights.
• Aircraft navigation and meteorological and chemical datasets.
• Flight logs and mission reports.

Task 2 – Airborne Atmospheric Measurements over the New York City Metropolitan Area

The contractor shall provide a research aircraft and associated operational support to conduct atmospheric measurements over the New York City metropolitan area.

Services shall include:

• Getting an aircraft airworthy.
• Installation of NOAA instruments on the airplane.
• Flight planning coordinated with NOAA scientists and FAA requirements.
• Execution of a few test research flights.
• Collection of meteorological and chemical data.
• Support for atmospheric chemistry and emissions characterization.

Deliverables

• Research aircraft and flight crew.
• Completed test flights.
• Aircraft navigation and meteorological and chemical datasets.
• Flight documentation and operational reports.

Task 3 – Mobile Ceilometer and Methane Source Characterization

The contractor shall provide a mobile atmospheric remote sensing platform equipped with a scanning or vertically pointing ceilometer to measure planetary boundary layer height and atmospheric structure during field operations.

The contractor should also have the capability to deploy a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-compliant unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with an Aeris Strato methane/ethane analyzer (or equivalent) to characterize methane emissions from selected point sources when requested by NOAA.

Services may include:

• Mobile deployment of the ceilometer.
• Continuous boundary layer measurements.
• UAS operations performed by qualified and certified pilots.
• Collection of methane, ethane, meteorological, and positional measurements.
• Coordination with NOAA field personnel.

Deliverables

• Mobile ceilometer measurements.
• Boundary layer height data products.
• UAS measurement datasets (when applicable).
• Quality-controlled methane, ethane, and meteorological observations.
• Field logs and summary reports.

Task 4 – Analysis of Data Collected in Boston during SOCCER-AQ Field Study

The SOCCER-AQ (Study of Urban Chemical Composition and Emissions Research – Air Quality) field campaign includes mobile laboratory measurements conducted in the Boston metropolitan area to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of meteorology, air pollutants, and atmospheric tracers. These observations complement airborne measurements by providing near-surface information on urban emission patterns, source signatures, and pollutant gradients that are not readily resolved from aircraft observations alone.

The selected performer shall analyze the mobile measurement data collected during the Boston deployment to identify and quantify emission signatures from major urban source sectors, including transportation, natural gas infrastructure, industrial activities, and other anthropogenic sources. The analysis shall integrate meteorological information, geospatial data, and ancillary observations to interpret pollutant distributions and identify potential emission hotspots. Where appropriate, the analysis should compare observations with available emissions inventories, air quality monitoring data, and atmospheric model products to evaluate the representation of urban emissions.

The results will contribute to improved understanding of urban emissions and atmospheric chemistry in the Boston metropolitan area and support NOAA's broader objectives of improving emissions characterization, air quality forecasting, and greenhouse gas monitoring.

Deliverables

• Quality Assurance and Data Processing
• Scientific Analysis
• Summary Report
• Presentations at scientific conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals

Task 5 – Administration and Coordination of Tasks 1–4

The selected contractor shall serve as the prime contractor responsible for the overall administrative management and coordination of Tasks 1 through 4. The contractor shall establish and manage subcontracts, as appropriate, with the organizations performing the technical work; monitor technical and financial progress; coordinate communications among all participating organizations and NOAA; and ensure that all deliverables are submitted in a timely manner.

The contractor shall provide administrative oversight throughout the performance period while minimizing the administrative burden on the technical performers. Responsibilities include subcontract administration, invoice management, financial tracking, progress reporting, meeting coordination, and delivery of consolidated reports and invoices to NOAA. The contractor is not expected to provide technical oversight of the scientific work beyond ensuring contractual compliance and effective project coordination.

Deliverables

The selected contractor shall provide the following deliverables:

1. Subcontract Administration
   • Execute and manage subcontracts with the organizations selected to perform Tasks 1–4.
   • Ensure that subcontract statements of work, budgets, and periods of performance are consistent with the NOAA award.
2. Project Management
   • Serve as the primary administrative point of contact between NOAA and all subcontractors.
   • Coordinate project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
   • Organize and participate in periodic coordination meetings with NOAA and the subcontractors.
3. Financial Administration
   • Receive, review, and process subcontractor invoices.
   • Verify that invoices are consistent with approved budgets and contractual requirements.
   • Submit consolidated invoices and any required financial documentation to NOAA.
   • Maintain financial records and provide budget status updates upon request.
4. Final Project Documentation
   • Submit a final administrative report summarizing project activities, subcontract performance, major milestones, and contract completion.
   • Ensure that all technical reports, datasets, presentations, and other required deliverables from Tasks 1–4 have been received and transmitted to NOAA.
5. Project Closeout
   • Complete all subcontract closeout activities.
   • Submit final consolidated financial documentation and certify completion of all contractual requirements.

(iii) Description of requirements for the items to be acquired, including documentation supporting any brand name descriptions (see 12.102).

See attached Statement of Need which applies to Base Year and Department of Labor Wage Rates: WD _ # 2015-4265, Revision No. _33_, dated (May 13, 2026), and WD _ # 2015-4187

, Revision No. _36_, dated (Jul 30, 2026), which can be found on:  https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations

INVOICES TO BE BILLED MONTHLY IN ARREARS VIA IPP. PROVIDE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRICING FOR CLIN 1. QUOTE PRICING MAY BE PROVIDED ON ATTACHED SF18 FORM OR ON COMPANY LETTERHEAD.

(iv) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance and f.o.b. point (see part 47).

Deliver by August 31, 2027

Delivery shall be Period of performance shall be:

Base Year for a twelve month period September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027 

Place of Performance is NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, 5830 University Research Court, Riverdale, MD 20737

(v) A list of solicitation provisions that apply to the acquisition (see 12.205(a)) can be found on the Request for Quote Form SF18 attachment in Section 5 Other Contract Terms and Conditions. 

(End of provision)

(vi) A list of contract clauses that apply to the acquisition (see 12.205(b)) can be found on the Request for Quote Form SF18 attachment in Section 4 Contract Terms and Conditions.

(vii) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 4:00 pm EST/EDT on 08/14/2026.  All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to barbara.shifflett@noaa.gov. 

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES.  IT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT.

(viii) Any other additional information required by 5.101(c). 

Per NOAA Deviation 2025-02/03: System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations. Contracting officers will not consider those representations when making award decisions or enforce requirements. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.