A -- BENCHMARK ABSOLUTE CALIBRATION OF INFRARED RADIANCES FROM SPACE FOR LONG TERM CLIMATE MONITORING

Notice Date

May 21, 2001

Contracting Office

NPOESS/Integrated Program Office, NOAA/SAO Procurement Staff, 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 1450, Silver Spring, MD 20910

ZIP Code

20910

Solicitation Number

52-SPNA-1-00042

Point of Contact

Donald L. Kraus, 301 427-2080 x136

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contracting officer (don.kraus@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), Integrated Program Office (IPO), proposes to enter into a contract with Harvard College (HC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for continued support to the IPO in conducting long-term, global monitoring of Absolute, Spectrally Resolved Radiance in the thermal infrared emitted by the Earth to space utilizing HC's INTESA prototype instrument of the absolute radiance Benchmark design. The focus will be on a research strategy built upon observations designed to test and improve capabilities for projecting and predicting the climate. The program objectives include: 1) Modernize and extend existing surface and in situ Climate Data Records (CDRs) and Observations; 2) Develop and extend program of reproducible Benchmarks both in situ and from Earth orbit; and 3) Improve the effectiveness of the NPOESS, NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), as well as collateral free-fliers, for climate applications. HC presents a specific strategy that builds upon a dedicated laboratory infrastructure coupled to a repetitive, focused airborne program using optical designs, detectors and blackbody standards identical to those proposed for a small Benchmark satellite. Major research during phase I will focus on: 1) Analysis of satellite orbit configurations to optimize accuracy of climate benchmarks; 2) Development of laboratory and airborne studies that will underpin the Benchmark observation of absolute, spectrally resolved radiance for long term climate monitoring. The first year's tasking includes: 1) Selection of satellite orbital characteristics to optimize the accuracy of climate benchmarks; 2) Development of a facility that will intercompare the absolute radiance benchmark prototype, NAST-I, NIST Standards, etc., at low temperature and pressure in the laboratory and tie those intercomparisons to a consistent program of airborne observations; and 3) Development of improved detectors for the observation of absolute spectrally resolved radiance from space. The authority for execution of this proposed contract by NOAA is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), "only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements". The term of the contract will be for 12 months, with two (2) 12-month options for extensions to the term of performance. Any other party desiring consideration for this requirement must identify its full capability in writing to the Contracting Officer within 45 days of this publication. No RFP or solicitation is available. No further CBD notice is planned. POC: Donald L. Kraus; (301) 427-2080, extension 136. SEE Note 22.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010523/ASOL002.HTM (W-141 SN50M6T7)