DROPWINDSONDES

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) intends to issue Request for Proposal number WC133M-16-RP-0011 for expendable dropwindsondes for the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) at MacDill AFB, FL. The AOC maintains and operates aircraft in support of a variety of meteorological and oceanographic research projects. One of the primary requirements in a variety of missions involves measuring and recording the atmospheric conditions below the aircraft. The method used to obtain these atmospheric profiles utilizes an expendable dropwindsonde which is launched from the aircraft and then transmits meteorological data back to a radio receiver and processing system onboard the aircraft. The system used by the AOC and other U.S. Government agencies is called the Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System (AVAPS). The Government intends to award a fixed-price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract for a period of sixty (60) months. The estimated quantity per year is 3000 each, however, there is no guarantee that this quantity will be required or ordered. The dropwindsonde deliverables must meet the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) drawing set requirements. Alternate designs may be considered, however, any proposed design modifications shall include: an acceptance test procedure sufficient to verify the revised design is equivalent or improves upon the NCAR drawing set design; estimated cost to the Government to perform this design verification; and analysis of the benefit to the Government for selecting an alternate design. Best commercial practices shall be employed throughout the manufacturing process. All deliverables shall successfully pass NCAR drawing specifications prior to delivery. The Met Sensor Module of the dropwindsonde is a key component which is proprietary to Vaisala, Inc. Alternate Met Sensor Modules or discrete sensor components shall be considered only if the Contractor produces compelling evidence that the alternate design has successfully been proven to meet or exceed the performance capabilities of the Vaisala Met Sensor Module in an equivalent application. At the option of the Government, the Government may perform a test of up to eight dropwindsondes delivered under a delivery order, and up to 10% of each production lot, for compliance with the requirements of the NCAR drawing set incorporated into the contract. The Government will supply the Contractor with a single channel ground (not airworthy) AVAPS system to assist with production testing. The Contractor shall provide all additional test equipment and standards required to validate that the production dropwindsonde meets the NCAR requirements. The Government shall supply engineering assistance including: technical information exchange related to the dropwindsonde; generation of non-disclosure agreements for exchange of proprietary information; providing a source list for all dropwindsonde components; up to three onsite visits to assist with production startup; and remote support (telephone, e-mail, etc.) as required. Engineering assistance will be provided for a period not to exceed one year following contract award by the Government. The Government intends to award a contract to the responsible offeror whose offer represents the best value to the Government. This acquisition is not set-aside for small business. In accordance with FAR 15.202 Advisory Multi-Step Process will be utilized. The solicitation will require a phased approach. Phase I will require the offeror to submit a proposal that demonstrates they meet the minimum experience requirements. Phase I will be evaluated under an acceptable or unacceptable (Pass/Fail) rating scheme. Failure of an offeror to demonstrate that it meets all of the minimum experience requirements will result in the offeror being found to be technically unacceptable and eliminated from further competition. Offerors shall submit Phase I of the solicitation within thirty (30) calendar days after issuance of the solicitation. Offerors deemed acceptable will be notified in writing by the contracting officer. Prior to the release of Phase II acceptable firms will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. This is required since the acceptable firms will be given proprietary information. A pre-proposal conference will be scheduled approximately seven (7) calendar days after notice of acceptability and receipt of signed non-disclosure agreement. Currently the solicitation will be issued on or about December 2, 2015. Any interested party must submit a request in writing to receive a copy of the solicitation to: Jeanie.m.jennings@noaa.gov Subject Line: WC133M-16-RP-0011. To be eligible for contract award, a firm must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Register via the internet site at http://www.sam.gov. In order to register with the SAM, all firms must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at: https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions.asp or by phone at (888) 814-1435.