F -- LIGHTNING DATA

Notice Date

May 21, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

ZIP Code

20910

Solicitation Number

2001-Lightning

Point of Contact

LaMar Carlson 301-713-0839 ext 196

E-Mail Address

Contract Specialist (Lamar.Carlson@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Silver Spring, MD, intends to negotiate on a noncompetitive basis with Global Atmospherics of Tucson, Arizona, to extend contract 50DDNW-6-90024 for six months with options for an additional six months. The current contract, which is in its final option period, expires on Sept 30, 2001. The new proposed period of performance is Oct 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002, with an option from April 1, 2002 to Sept 31, 2002. This extension is being done on an interim basis until a competitive follow-on contract can be awarded. The existing Contract is for the acquisition of near real time lightning data. The Contractor provides lightning data for all part of the contiguous U.S. and adjacent costal waters and land areas out to a distance of 250km. The lightning data is used by the National Weather Service (NOAA)and other Federal agencies. The Contractor communicates the lightning data to specified Government sites for display, processing and redistribution to additional Government sites. The Contractor under the terms of the contract also maintains an archive of the lightning data and provides maintenance and application software. Lightning from all localized thunderstorm cells located over the U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii producing 10 or more cloud to ground strikes during a 20 minute period should be detected and reported. Within 99 percent of the CONUS, Alaska, and Hawaii the system shall detect, locate, and report at least 60 percent of those strikes. Data from all areas of coverage shall be available at each receiving site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The display software shall be capable of plotting lightning locations, polarity, and system status. These lightning parameters shall be delivered in near real time allowing only for data processing and communication time. Vendors who believe that they can meet these requirements are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating they can meet the Governments requirements. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information and other technical literature demonstrating the ability to meet the above requirements. The response must be sufficient to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. Continuity of these services are essential with no delays during the transition. Any prospective offeror must also demonstrate a cost and technical benefit to the Government in view of the short period of performance. Failure to submit the required documentation will result in the Government proceeding as stated above. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. A fixed-price modification is contemplated for this effort. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than 30 days after publication to this synopsis. See Note 22.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010523/FSOL001.HTM (W-141 SN50M6U9)