Improved Media Access to National Hurricane Center

DISCLAIMER: This is not a solicitation. This is not a request for quote (RFQ), invitation for bid (IFB), request for proposal (RFP), request for application (RFA) or an announcement of a solicitation and does not assume the government will award a contract or proceed with any of the above solicitations in the near future. The information requested herein is for information purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued or awarded. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect cost or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of information. All information considered proprietary shall be marked accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with Government regulations. Responses to this notice will not be returned. Information Requested: Media access to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) is vital to public safety, especially when hurricanes threaten the United States. NHC has well-established guidelines and procedures for media access, including use of a "pool" arrangement to facilitate access by the electronic media when storms threaten the US and media interest is high. In 2008, hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas. NHC initiated the media pool, but very few stations used the media pool - at least in part because the existing technology supporting the pool arrangement requires the media to commit expensive assets (e.g. transportable satellite communications, establish a telco connection, or rent a local crew) to participate in the pool. As a result, citizens in Texas and elsewhere had more limited access to NHC expertise and forecasts than is the norm for other storms. Accordingly, NOAA is seeking sources for technological solutions that will improve media access to NHC. Appropriate solutions must have the following characteristics: 1. Support broadcast quality (picture and audio) formats 2. Be accessible to any media company 3. Provide unedited NHC content 4. Fully comply with applicable NOAA information technology security requirements In addition, the following factors will affect the feasibility / desirability of potential solutions: 5. Cost to NHC 6. Cost and convenience to media companies, both traditional and internet-based, that access NHC content 7. Ability to support NHC during the 2009 hurricane season (June 1 through November 30, 2009) 8. Demonstrated capability to provide service with high reliability 9. Potential for expansion to other NOAA sites and applications Interested companies should describe their capabilities with respect to each of these 9 factors. Questions Due: 12 noon ET, Wednesday, February 25, 2009 to Temujene.H.Makua@noaa.gov Responses Due: 12 noon ET, Wednesday, March 18, 2009 to Temujene.H.Makua@noaa.gov