Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Network Modernization & Management Paradigm Analysis

The National Weather Service under the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to evaluate options for modernizing the Cooperative Observer Program, a network of approximately 6,700 distributed surface observation sites across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico. The goal is to assess the feasibility of transitioning from the current Government-Owned, Government-Operated model to two alternative paradigms: Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated or Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated Data-as-a-Service models, with a focus on automating data collection using low-power, commercially available All-in-One weather stations that measure temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and liquid precipitation, with optional snow sensors. This effort aims to balance technological advancement, cost-effectiveness, data continuity, and compliance with WMO and NWS standards such as NWSI 10-1302, NWS Manual 10-1315, and other internal technical directives governing instrument siting, performance, and data quality. The response window closes on July 13, 2026, and submissions must be in searchable PDF or Word format, not exceeding twenty-five pages excluding technical datasheets, and clearly marked for proprietary information. Respondents must be certified small businesses, including 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Women-Owned Small Businesses, and are required to provide their Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, and corporate details via SAM.gov, along with their business size certification under NAICS 334519 (600-employee threshold) or 541990 ($19.5 million revenue threshold). The government is specifically seeking input on vendor capabilities, logistical constraints in meeting nationwide service-level agreements, available contract vehicles such as GSA Schedules or GWACs, ideal contract structures such as Firm-Fixed-Price or Fixed-Price Incentive models, and rough-order-of-magnitude pricing ranges to inform future procurement decisions. No funds will be provided for responses, no contract will be awarded from this notice, and the information gathered will solely guide the development of a future acquisition strategy to modernize and sustain critical climate and weather observation infrastructure. Responses must be emailed to Jennifer Roesner and Melissa Ross with a specified subject line format, and all costs related to participation are borne entirely by the respondent.