High-Altitude Rubber Balloon Manufacturing (GP20/GP26 Models)

The contract involves the manufacturing of high-altitude rubber weather balloons, specifically the GP20 and GP26 models, which are designed to expand substantially from an initial weight of 2.5 pounds to 600 pounds and burst at altitudes between 20 and 26 kilometers. Key requirements include completing first article testing to validate the quality and performance of the balloons, followed by batch production with a strict turnaround time of no more than 14 days per batch. Additionally, the manufacturing process must maintain a defect rate of less than or equal to 1%, ensuring high reliability and consistency in product quality. This subcontract opportunity is issued by the Department of Commerce, NOAA, with the place of performance identified as Norfolk. The solicitation was posted on May 4, 2026, with a response deadline set for May 18, 2026. The applicable industry classification is under NAICS code 326220, which pertains to the production of rubber products. This contract highlights the importance of precision manufacturing and stringent quality control for critical atmospheric research equipment, reflecting NOAA’s commitment to advancing weather observation technologies.