Sources Sought Synopsis The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Earth System Research Laboratory, Global Monitoring Division (ESRL/GMD) (hereinafter referred to as the Government) located in Boulder, Colorado is currently conducting market research to determine sources for ozonesondes to provide accurate, highly vertically resolved ozone profiles that are compatible with an existing radiosonde/ground station infrastructure. The Government anticipates award of a contract with a 1-year base period followed by two 1- year option periods. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) and the small business size standard is 500 employees. The ozonesondes must be able to be interfaced with radiosondes that are compatible with the ESRL/GMD ground telemetry receiving stations. The ozonesondes are to be purchased over a period between 1 and 3 years. An indefinite quantity of systems (between 200 and 500 units per performance period) is required. The Government anticipates award of a contract on or before August 30, 2008. Background: NOAA has been making ozone vertical profile measurements using balloon-borne ozonesondes since 1972. The current global network of 12 sites has employed the current digital ozonesonde coupled to a meteorological radiosonde since 1990. This long-term measurement project is expected to continue indefinitely into the future. The ozone profile measurements obtained in the NOAA network provide critical information on the state of the stratospheric ozone layer, air quality, and the impact of ozone on climate change. Key elements of this project are intercomparability of data among the various measuring sites and long-term stability of the measurements for detecting trends. To achieve these elements, standardized measurement protocols have been implemented across the network. An important component of these standardized procedures is the use of a uniform ground telemetry receiving station and associated software for processing the telemetry data. The receiving station and software have been developed and deployed at considerable expense to NOAA and NOAA would incur an unreasonably high cost to replace these. The ozonesondes provided for this project must maintain compatibility with the existing receiving station and associated software. Draft Statement of Work Requirements: The Contractor shall provide systems that have all the following features and/or meet the following minimum description/performance requirements: 1. The ozonesonde sensor for detecting ozone shall be of the electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) type. 2. The ozonesonde pump shall be non-reactive with ozone and shall operate effectively in the altitude range of 0-35km. A thermistor for measuring pump temperature shall be mounted in the pump. 3. The ozonesonde shall be capable of measuring ozone with an accuracy and precision of 5% over the altitude range of 0-30km and for ozone mixing ratios of 0-15 parts per million by volume. 4. Each ozonesonde shall be housed in a container that maintains the environmental conditions in the temperature range of 10-30 degrees Celsius. 5. Each ozonesonde and its container shall weigh 1.5 kilograms or less. 6. Each ozonesonde shall be capable of interfacing with a radiosonde that provides a signal compatible with the ESRL/GMD network of ozonesonde telemetry ground station hardware and software through a manufacturer or user supplied digital interface. The ozonesonde will provide: a. Provide connections to the ECC sensor current output and the pump thermistor; b. Include a power source (battery) for the pump operation and any associated electronics; c. Provide 1.5 second binary data output; d. Read the sensor current with a minimum of 12 bit accuracy; e. Provide for the input of pressure, temperature, and humidity data from the compatible radiosonde as well as the ozonesonde sensor current and pump thermistor resistance, and produce a data stream that can be transmitted by the attached radiosonde; f. Transmit the data stream so that it can be received with a 403 MHz FM receiver and be converted to an RS-232 compatible signal by a standard serial modem; g. Be capable of supporting input from a global position system (GPS) module compatible with the data stream requirement; and h. Be capable of supporting two additional sensor inputs through an expansion module. 7. The telemetry ground receiving station consists of the following: a. ICOM Model 8500 Receiver with automatic frequency control capable of receiving a signal in the 400-405 MHz wide FM frequency range; b. Serial modem that decodes the Bell 103 format; and c. Yagi antenna with preamplifier designed to receive the 400-405 MHz, signal transmitted by the radiosonde. 8. The custom written software program (STRATO) that processes the telemetered data from the ground receiving station has the following characteristics: a. DOS program capable of running on several Windows operating system versions (Windows 2000 and XP); b. Decodes the radiosonde signal information; c. Incorporates the algorithms for processing the radiosonde meteorological information as well as all the ozonesonde current signal, pump temperature, and diagnostic information on the performance of the ozonesonde pump and battery current; d. Processes data from the global position system (GPS) module; e. Processes data from additional sensors including a chilled mirror hygrometer; and f. Can be updated to provide for changing observational requirements associated with new research initiatives. RFI Instructions: This is not a solicitation; it is only a Request for Information (RFI). The purpose of the RFI is to determine (1) whether there are sources capable of satisfying the Government's requirements and (2) to determine whether these services are provided to the commercial market. No proposals are being requested or accepted under this synopsis. Interested sources must provide information regarding their capabilities to provide ozonesondes that meet the above requirements. At a minimum, responders shall submit the following information: (1) Statement explaining how the responder's ozonesonde meets the requirements with particular attention to communications with the ground station protocols; (2) Identify any potential limitations or adaptations needed to meet the requirements; (3) Briefly describe responder's experience in ozonesonde manufacture and production; and (4) Provide DUNS or CAGE number. NOAA will consider all comments, supportive or critical, but may or may not use these individual comments. Qualification Statements will be treated separately from, and will have no bearing on, any subsequent evaluation of proposals submitted in response to any resulting future formal Request for Proposals. NOAA will not pay for information or comments provided and will not recognize any costs associated with submission of comments. NOAA, as noted above, is assessing the existence of sources and is requesting written comments from industry on the attached requirements. Written comments or e-mail messages shall be received no later than 2:00 P.M. Mountain Time, Friday, July 11, 2008. Sources interested in providing comments shall respond in writing to Contract Specialist Susan Labovitz, MC3, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. Submittals may also be sent by e-mail to Susan.Labovitz@noaa.gov. Telephone responses are not acceptable. This notice is not a Request for Proposals, Invitation for Bids, or Request for Quotes. It is a Request for Information and is part of the Government's market research process.
