Upper Air Observation Services - Del Rio TX

This is a Sources Sought notice. The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS) is seeking sources capable of performing the requirements necessary to take, document, and disseminate upper air Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) observations at the following NWS observation site: Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory (WSCMO) at the Del Rio International Airport in Del Rio, Texas. The Government is especially interested in responses from SBA certified small business concerns that are capable of performing the work described within this notice. No solicitation exists at this time; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. The Contractor shall provide at least two qualified personnel that are certified by the NWS to take, document, and disseminate upper air Radiosonde Replacement System observations for the observing site specified in their contract. All services conducted in connection with the performance of this contract shall be in accordance with the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH) Numbers 3 and NWS Manual 10-1401 and all revisions including those which take effect during the course of the contract. The objective of the resulting contract(s) is to continue the upper air observation program currently being conducted at the observation location in such a manner that the highest possible quality data is available to the program's many users. The anticipated period of performance is June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 followed by four one year ordering periods. Note that the resulting contract(s) will contain a one month phase in and phase out period. All Contractor personnel who are assigned the duties of taking observations must be certified by the NWS. The procedures for certification are described in NWS 10-1301. Certification consists of passing a closed-book examination for the upper air certification by correctly answering 80 percent of the questions and demonstrating that the observer can accomplish a correct observation and meet all transmission schedules. Uncertified Contractor personnel may take observations in a training capacity only under the immediate direct supervision of a certified observer who will be responsible for the observation. The Government shall provide all necessary electronics, telecommunications, meteorological equipment, a computer for the transmission of electronic forms and official email, and other miscellaneous property necessary to perform the services required by this contract. The contractor will also be provided with heat, electricity, water, and grounds care service at the facility. In addition, the Government will furnish all forms, charts, local, and national expendable supplies necessary for the contractor to carry out the requirements of this contract. Local expendable supplies include but are not limited to pens, pencils, paper, forms, string, hydrogen, etc. National expendable supplies will also be provided to the Contractor. These supplies include radiosonde instruments and batteries, lighting units, train regulators, parachutes, and balloons. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541990 "All other Professional and Technical Services" and the small-business size standard is $15M. This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Please submit information to include: 1) Your firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; 2) Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or SBA 8(a) program certified; 3) A brief description of your firm's recent past experience (within past 3 years) performing upper air observations of a similar magnitude to the work described above; 4) Your firm's capabilities, specifically whether your firm has certified observers; 5) Identify from the list of major work components above those that your firm would likely subcontract out. Any subsequent contract will contain the mandatory FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, which limits subcontracting costs to 50% of the price of the contract. Information must be received by the Contracting Officer, Erik Lundstrom, at erik.lundstrom@noaa.gov by close-of-business on February 13, 2018. Do not call regarding this sources sought notice. Any questions or responses regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via e-mail to the above e-mail address. Firms that are interested in sub-contracting opportunities related to this project should contact interested upper air providers directly with inquiries, not the Contracting Officer.