NOAA/Systems Acquisition Office (SAO), 1315 E. W. Highway, Mail Code SAOX2, Silver Spring, MD 20910

66 -- SUNSHINE DURATION SENSOR FOR SURFACE OBSERVATIONS SOL 52-SPNA-8-00020 DUE 050898 POC Thomas D. Genovese, Jr., Contracting Officer, (301) 713-2110 The NOAA Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) program has a requirement to replace obsolete sunshine sensors at approximately 142 locations nationwide. The Government plans to issue a Request For Proposal (RFP) in the next 4 to 8 weeks for acquisition of Sunshine Duration sensors for surface observations. The Government desires to maximize the use of equipment already in production, which meets the NWS sensor specification demonstrating meteorological and reliable performance with minimal modification. The Government will procure sensors capable of measuring, displaying and reporting (via RS-232) the total daily accumulated minutes of sunshine per World Meteorological Organization definition (direct irradiance greater than or equal to 120 watts/square meter within plus or minus 10 percent of the sunshine minutes determined by a calibrated Normal Incidence Pyrheliometer which is traceable to world standards). The Government may, at it's option, integrate this sensor into the ASOS. The successful offerer will be able to provide commercial equipment which meets the Government Sunshine Duration Sensor specification with minimal development effort, and which can be easily modified for integration into the ASOS sensor suite. The sole purpose of this announcement is to provide information to prospective offerers and to request interested parties to provide a description of sensors to be considered for this procurement. Brochures, catalog pages and/or a sensor description not more than five (5) pages in length should be received by the Government on or before May 8, 1998. This information should identify sensor technology and shall provide empirical test results for the candidate sensor. Additionally, potential offerers may contact the POC to request a copy of the Draft Sunshine Duration Sensor specification. The Government will evaluate the sensor data, with emphasis on data demonstrating meteorological and reliability performance, and from this analysis will determine best qualified candidate sensors, andadvise offerers about their potential to be viable competitors. The Government may enter into one-on-one discussion with candidate sensor vendors prior to issuance of an RFP. Interested parties should send the sensor descriptive package as soon as possible to Annette E. Stevens, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, labled "Sunshine Sensor procurement." (0099)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0330 19980413\66-0023.SOL)