NWS - Aerological Sounding Balloons REQUIREMENTS-25-3653

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO), Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD), is conducting market research for the purpose of assessing the current and near future marketplace and potential vendors capable of providing up to 18,960 General Purpose 20 km (GP-20) aerological sounding balloons annually to support NWS radiosonde observations required by the Office of Observations (OBS) and its NWS Weather Forecast Offices. An aerological sounding balloon is a balloon used to carry radiosondes aloft. Radiosondes measure atmospheric temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, and wind direction from the surface to an altitude of approximately 30,000 meters. The radiosonde observations are a critical source of meteorological data for weather forecast models. The NWS radiosonde observations provide atmospheric observations for development of watches, warnings, weather forecasts and aviation support. The NOAA/NWS publishes 3-hour, 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, and 48-hour upper level atmospheric models for watches, warnings, forecasts, and aviation support. The aerological sounding balloons are launched at all 102 NWS Upper-Air sites and thus must survive a wide variety of launch and flight weather conditions, while providing an average ascent rate of 5 m/s for accurate sensor measurements. The aerological sounding balloon performance is critical to accurate sensor readings on the supported radiosonde observations. The aerological sounding balloon performance specification provides the radiosonde sensors with optimal ascent rate and burst altitude necessary for reliable and accurate radiosonde observations. Attached to this Contract Opportunity are a specifications document and a Sources Sought Notice document. Please review and respond by the deadline confirming your interest in and capability of providing supplies as described in the specifications document.

The US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office, Eastern Acquisition Division and the National Weather Service (NWS), using the procedures set forth in the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Part 12, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Kaymont, for a firm-fixed unit price on an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract for up to 94,800 GP20 Aerological Sounding Balloons for the Surface and Upper Air Division. Kaymont is the only vendor able to produce and deliver GP20 balloons that meet the NWS GP20 Balloon Specification at a rate that meets the NWS 4,680 per month usage rate, with a 90-day lead time. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is RFO 12.201-1, Simplified procedures, in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1901 Simplified acquisition procedures.