DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO

H -- SPHERICAL SUPERPRESSURE BALLOON LAB AND FLIGHT TESTING SOL NRMGM000801031JW DUE 043098 POC Jacqueline Wright (303) 497-5282 or Fax (303)497-3163 E-MAIL: NOAA; MASC Acquisition Management, Joyce.J.Mills@noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Air-ocean IN-situ System (GAINS) project at the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) of Boulder, Colorado, seeks to purchase system components, an envelope function and characterization diagnosis, and services for laboratory tests and demonstration flights during the GAINS test and development phase of government-owned balloons manufactured by GSSL, Inc. The GAINS prototype balloon, a 60-ft diameter superpressure vehicle, is designed for flights of one-year duration in the stratosphere. Float altitude is 65,000 ft with controlled excursions between 55,000 and 65,000 ft. for a 220-lb (100-kg) payload. System components to be purchased are (1) three pairs of polyurethane air and helium bladders and end fittings for a 16-ft diameter vehicle, (2) a gas bladder destruct system, (3) one capsule to carry the payload closely coupled to the 60-ft vehicle, and (4) a parachute system for flight termination of the 60-ft vehicle. The envelope function and characterization diagnosis will determine: (1) thermal and elastic response of the SpectraTM fabric, (2) prediction of envelope volume from flight sensor data, and (3) the integrity and reliability of gas bladders and the bladder destruct system. Services and facilities are required for two flights. The flights must originate from facilities where the prevailing winds keep the balloon in U.S. airspace for the duration of the flight; and if flight termination should occur, over open flat land for ease of recovery of the balloon and payload. The objective of the first flight is to qualify the flight termination system of the GAINS vehicle. The contractor will furnish personnel, equipment, hangar space for a fully inflated 60' balloon, and meteorological support to perform launch, tracking and recovery services for the flight. The objective of the second flight is to demonstrate a 24-hour flight of the GAINS balloon and payload at 65,000 ft. The contractor will furnish personnel, equipment, hangar space, and meteorological support to perform launch, tracking and recovery services for the flight. Schedules for these flights are during the week of 4 May 1998 for the first flight, and the week of 29 June 1998 for the second. This announcement/solicitation is being issued under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13 (NTE $100,000.00). There is no formal bid package as these are the only requirements. No award will be made on the basis of requests in response to this notice. NOAA plans to negotiate on a sole source basis with GSSL, Inc., Hillsboro, OR., as they were the manufacturer/designer of the original balloons and the proprietary Balloon Envelope Recovery System (BERS). Award is based on both price and technical merit. This notice expires on April 30, 1998. (0105)

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