NOAA Environmental Observing systems, Systems Engineering, Systems Analysis and Assessment

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 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. Properly identified proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with government regulations. The purpose of this announcement is to determine whether small businesses or other contractors in the industry can perform the requirements specified. Any responses received will not be considered an offer by the responding party and cannot be returned. No telephone inquiries will be accepted and requests for solicitation packages will not be granted, as no solicitation has been prepared at this time. Synopsis: Sources Sought Background: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Environment Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) manages NOAA's operational polar-orbiting environmental satellite program. One of NOAA/NESDIS' objectives is to provide systems analysis and assessment services for NOAA's Environmental Observing systems that are necessary to maintain the uninterrupted flow of remotely-sensed environmental data required to promote, protect, and enhance the Nation's economy, security, environment, and quality of life. Further information regarding the requirements of this program can be found at the following web site: http://www.nosc.noaa.gov/tpio/. Specific NESDIS offices and development programs supported within this scope of work include, but are not limited to, the following: Technology Planning and Integration for Observations Program (TPIO) NESDIS coordinates observing systems related policy issues, programs, and initiatives internally within the Department of Commerce, such as for example, the following: Office of Systems Development (OSD) NOAA's Observing Systems Council (NOSC) Observing Systems Committee (OSC) Programming Planning and Integration (PPI) Line Office other senior NOAA Leaders Technology, Planning and Integration for Observations Program (TPIO), located in the Office of Systems Development (OSD) in NESDIS provides support to NOAA's Observing Systems Council (NOSC), Observing Systems Committee (OSC), Programming Planning and Integration (PPI) Line Office and other senior NOAA Leaders. TPIO is a vital member of the One NOAA Team, providing comprehensive assessments for integrating, optimizing, and sustaining NOAA's observing systems and data management architectures. TPIO is responsible for the documentation, validation, configuration management and assessment of all NOAA observing requirements, system capabilities and system utilities. TPIO maintains and manages NOAA's observing and data & information management systems requirements, the corresponding databases, and generates analyses and recommendations for the optimum observing system investment strategy for NOAA with regards to its operational and research observing system needs using established/customized procedures, tools and algorithms. TPIO is tasked by NOAA to analyze and recommend future investment inventories which are then provided as recommendations to the NOSC and the NOAA Executive Council. TPIO serves as the assessment and analysis arm of the NOSC. Requirements: TPIO requires specialized on site contractor support in the form of unbiased, broad based professional, conflict-free, critical assessment and analytic efforts in the development and maintenance of NOAA's observing and information management system investment strategies and recommendations. The analytical support required is in direct support to the NOSC, NOAA Senior Leadership, and NOAA's work with other Federal Agencies and outside groups with regard to the following: a. Familiarity and in-depth knowledge of NOAA's observing system inventory and architecture; NOAA's observing requirement needs; knowledge of policy, procedures and verification and validation of NOAA requirements; expertise in societal benefit areas, social sciences, economic analysis, investment analysis, business-case analysis, technology assessment, and earth observing systems. b. Independent and conflict free corporate posture without any vested interest in a specific observing system portfolio or specific analytical methodology. c. Capable of developing innovative analysis methods and tools to accompany the knowledge of NOAA's missions, products, requirements, capabilities, and functional mission areas. d. Analytical assessment expertise in strategic planning of integrated observing systems portfolios, capable of independent work on high level tasks and special studies ((such as NOAA's Observing System Integrated Analysis (NOSIA) and High Priority Observing Systems (HIPOS)), understanding of NOSC observing system prioritization, experience in development and customization of analysis tools, and an understanding of NOAA's observing system architecture. e. Support in executing NOAA's Strategic Plan and Strategy, Execution and Evaluation (SEE) Process, as developed by the PPI. f. Link the strategic planning, observing system portfolios and mission requirements and objectives with the SEE process. g. Function as technical lead for assessments of the NOAA's Observing System Portfolio with regard to Strategic Planning. h. Capable of making methodology and analytical recommendations for national observing requirements and capabilities across Societal Benefit areas. i. Function as lead analytical consultant for the NOAA Observing System Prioritization work. j. Provide customized design and development of the analytical techniques and procedures for TPIO's observing system architecture investment analyses. k. Provide the necessary changes to TPIO tools and models in order to customize output to match any specifically designated tasks. l. Provide technical corporate reach-back capability for high speed computing and data manipulation. m. Provide independent assessment and advisement to the Government on TPIO's Observing System Architecture and future investments. n. Provide the technical briefings and recommendations to the NOSC and NOAA Senior Leadership. NOAA requires unbiased, professional, non-personnel services: NOAA Environmental Observing systems, Systems Engineering, Systems Analysis and Assessment. in all activities associated with Environmental Observing systems, Systems Engineering, Systems Analysis and Assessment. NOAA requires support for the optimum observing system investment strategy for NOAA with regards to its operational and research observing system needs using established/customized procedures, tools and algorithms. NOAA requires independent and objective analysis and assessment of NOAA's observing and data management architecture currently and into the future. NOAA requires technical and system Planning not only within NOAA but across other Federal agencies and groups. Notice: In accordance with FAR 9.505-4 the Government deems it necessary to incorporate CAR 1352.209-71, "Limitation of Future Contracting" and appropriate Alternate(s) in any solicitation with the above described requirement. Information Requested: Interested companies should describe their capabilities as it relates to the activities below: - Comprehensive knowledge of government needs - mission, culture, expertise, and institutional memory regarding issues of enduring concern to the government: - Adaptability - ability to respond to emerging needs of the government and anticipate future critical issues; - Objectivity - ability to produce thorough, independent analyses to address complex technical and analytical problems; - Freedom from conflicts of interest and dedication to the public interest - independence from commercial, shareholder, political, or other associations; - Long-term continuity - uninterrupted, consistent support based on a continuing relationship; - Broad access to sensitive government and commercial proprietary information - absence of institutional interests that could lead to misuse of information or cause contractor reluctance to provide such information; and - Quick response capability - ability to offer short-term assistance to help the government meet urgent and high-priority requirements. In addition to addressing technical capabilities, responses must include the following: - Name and address of firm - Size of business (i.e., large, small, small disadvantaged business, woman owned, etc.) - Average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees; - Ownership; - Number of years in business; - Affiliate information; - Parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential subcontractor) or subcontractors (if potential prime) - List of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed, contract numbers, contract type, dollar value of each procurement) - Point of contact - address and phone number; - List of existing Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACS) for which you are currently qualified Submittals must clearly state interested and capable contractors "Shall or "Shall Not" agree to incorporating CAR1352.209-71 in any solicitations for the above described requirements. Telephone responses are NOT solicited. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. This synopsis is not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract nor will the Government pay for the solicited information. Please submit your submission via email to the attention of Contact Specialist (CS) Jay Parsick (Jay.Parsick@noaa.gov) no later than March xx, 2013, 11:00AM EST, Silver Spring, MD. The response shall be submitted as Microsoft Word documents, using Version 2007. The response shall be no more 15 single-sided, single-spaced pages (excluding the cover page), and use a minimum font of 12 point (Times New Roman) on 8 - x 11-inch paper. Each page shall be separately numbered. It is the offeror's responsibility to ensure it arrives by the required date and time. For the purpose of establishing timely receipt of a quotation, the time will be established based upon the electronic copy submission. Responses must be received in writing no later than by the date specified in the notice.