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A -- DEMONSTRATION AND VALIDATION PHASE REVISED ACQUISITION APPROACH FOR THE NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TELLITE SYSTEM (NPOESS) SOL F04701-95-R-0032 POC Contact: William Trombetta,(310)336-4460/Contracting Officer, Matthew Stevens,Capt (310)336-4597/Buyer, Charles Briggs,(310)336-4950 Buyer. The ''Implementation Plan for A Converged Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System''--which was issued in concert with the Presidential Decision Directive that created the NPOESS program--directed that an in-depth review be conducted on how best to use existing and programmed satellites once the integrated operational requirements had been validated by the affected agencies. The Acquisition Decision Memorandum issued by the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology reinforced this guidance. That assessment has now been completed. The results were driven heavily by potential budgetary constraints, the continued robust nature of the on-orbit constellations, and the number of satellites currently available in inventory. The evaluation concluded that a redirection of the current NPOESS program plan was necessary. Accordingly, Dr. Paul G. Kaminski, USD(A&T), acting as the Milestone Decision Authority for NPOESS, has directed the cancellation of the planned April release of the Request for Proposals for the NPOESS Phase I System Development and Risk Reduction effort, the associated deferral of any FY96 Phase I contract awards, and the restructure of the NPOESS program to focus on the higher risk efforts of payload sensor definition and algorithm development. The Integrated Program Office (IPO) greatly appreciates the active participation from industry to date and anticipates your significant and continued involvement in the planning and execution of the revised program. It is the IPO's intention to provide an industry brief to update interested offerors on the revised program and acquisition approach in the near future. Although the program plan has been revised, the program director remains steadfast in the program's goal and intentions: to deliver the best possible polar-orbiting environmental satellite system to serve our nation's needs well into the 21st century at substantial savings to the taxpayer. The IPO looks forward to industry's continued interest and participation. Additional information concerning the NPOESS program will be made available through the CICAS electronic bulletin board (EBB) at SMC. The point of contact for access to the EBB is Ms. Maxine Chandler, SMC/PKOM, (310) 363-1533. (0074)

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