Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Network Modernization & Management Paradigm Analysis
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA's National Weather Service, is conducting market research under FAR Part 10 to evaluate the current and potential management approaches for modernizing and supporting the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). This initiative seeks to engage qualified small business entities, including those in specific socioeconomic categories like 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Women-Owned Small Businesses. The research aims to examine the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and risks related to maintaining data continuity when employing one or more of three distinct operational models across approximately 6,700 distributed surface observation sites: the existing Government-Owned, Government-Operated model; a hybrid where hardware remains government-owned but operations are outsourced; and a fully contractor-owned and operated "Data-as-a-Service" approach that relies on subscription data streams from commercial or state mesonet operators. This effort is a sources sought notice, not a solicitation for proposals or bids, and no contracts will be awarded from this notice, nor will any payment be made for submissions. Responses are requested by July 13, 2026, with the point of contact located in Norfolk, VA, and the intended place of performance in Silver Spring, MD. The goal is to inform the NWS’s acquisition strategy by gaining insight into the competitive landscape and capabilities of potential suppliers for the wholesale modernization and technology refresh of the COOP network.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Silver Spring, MD, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 (Market Research), the DOC, NOAA, NWS is conducting market research to determine the capabilities, commerciality, and competitive landscape of the market, specifically targeting qualified Small Business concerns (including 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Businesses).
This market research will assist the NWS in defining its acquisition strategy for the wholesale modernization, technology refresh, and operational support of the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP). The NWS is evaluating the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and data continuity risks associated with blending three distinct management paradigms across approximately 6,700 highly distributed surface observation sites:
- Government-Owned, Government-Operated (GO-GO) [Current State]: Hardware is federally procured and maintained directly by NWS personnel.
- Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GO-CO): Standard hardware is federally procured, but field installation, preventive maintenance, and emergency restorative services are outsourced to a commercial provider.
- Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (CO-CO) / "Data-as-a-Service" (DaaS): The NWS does not own hardware or manage field logistics; instead, it subscribes to quality-controlled, climatological-grade data streams from commercial or state-level mesonet operators.
This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposals, bids, or quotes. No contract will be awarded directly from this notice, and the Government will not pay for any information submitted in response.