Enhanced Precipitation Identification Sensor

Modification 01: Changed classification code to 66-Instruments & laboratory equipment. Changed title to read Enhanced Precipitation Identification Sensor. Changed response date to June 30, 2008 at 2PM eastern standard time. The US Department of Commerce (DOC)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Weather Service (NWS)/Acquisition Management Division is seeking information on potential Enhanced Precipitation Identification (EPI) weather sensors for the NOAA Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). The ASOS is a fully automatic non-attended system which provides surface observations at over 1000 locations in support of commercial aviation. The EPI sensor will replace the existing present weather sensor, which is limited to detection and reporting of Rain and Snow. The EPI sensor is intended to extend the ASOS reporting capability to include Drizzle, Hail and Ice Pellets in addition to Rain and Snow. For all precipitation rates greater than zero but less than 250mm per hour, the EPI sensor is required to automatically detect, identify, and classify as Light, Moderate or Heavy the following precipitation types: Drizzle, Rain, Snow, Hail, and Ice Pellets as defined in the Federal Meteorological Handbook Number 1 (FMH-1). The EPI shall not report any precipitation when no precipitation is occurring. The Government seeks an existing Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) sensor which has been demonstrated to substantially meet the EPI meteorological reporting requirements, and requires only minimal low-risk modification to fully comply with the Government specification. An EPI specification and Statement of Work for development and production of EPI sensors has been generated and is available with this synopsis. If difficulties are encountered obtaining these documents please contact the Government Contract Specialist identified below. Based upon the current state of sensor technology, the Government may proceed to a 4 phase acquisition approach to include: 1)Purchase and evaluation of COTS sensors; 2)Optional contract award (1 vendor) to develop fully compliant pre-production sensors; 3)Optional contract award to produce Limited production sensors; and 4) Optional contract award for full scale production of 1000 sensors and spares. The Government is soliciting information on the current state of commercial EPI sensor technology at this time. The Government is offering to provide the EPI Sensor Specification and Statement of Work to all interested parties, and requests that the following information be provided: 1) Any suggested revisions to either document, 2)Identification of vendor's COTS which could be considered a candidate for this acquisition, 3)Specification requirements which current COTS can not meet, 4)Summary of modifications to COTS needed for full specification compliance, 5)Technical description of vendor COTS candidate, 6)Order of magnitude cost and schedule to develop a fully compliant sensor, 7)Rough order of magnitude estimate for cost and delivery schedule for a quantity of 1000 sensors over a two year period, and 8)Description of vendor ability to perform sensor meteorological performance testing, particularly testing of sensor performance during hail. This requirement will be accomplished in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12., meaning that the contract type for this requirement is Firm-Fixed Price. Interested parties are requested to send the above-requested information, along with:(1) Point of Contact; (2) Name of Company; (3) Street Address including City, State, and Zip Code; (4) Phone Number including fax number; and (5) E-mail address. The Government Point of Contact for this activity is Joyce Dickerson 301-713-3405 x 113, e-mail address joyce.dickerson@noaa.gov.