SOLICITATION NOTICE
B -- WEATHER MODELING AND ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY STUDIES
- Notice Date
- 3/7/2012
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall SpaceFlight Center, AL 35812
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- NNM12427170R
- Response Due
- 3/22/2012
- Archive Date
- 3/7/2013
- Point of Contact
- Melinda E. Dodson, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-961-7454, Fax 256-961-7524, Email Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov - Belinda F Triplett, Contract Specialist, Phone 256-961-7650, Fax 256-961-7524, Email belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Melinda E. Dodson
(Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NASA/MSFC has a requirement for Weather Modeling and Atmospheric ElectricityStudies in support of the Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project.Summary: The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project at NASAMarshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) demonstrates the utility of unique NASA observationsand research capabilities to improve short-term weather forecasts on a regional and localscale.The utility of the products is demonstrated end users who provide feedback on thetransitioned products and capabilities. The SPoRT project focuses on providing uniqueremotely sensed measurements of atmospheric and surface processes which are assimilatedinto initial conditions of weather forecast models or used diagnostically by end users. This activity prepares end users for future operational capabilities.Scope of Work: Provide on-site modeling and remote sensing expertise to conductcollaborative research and transition activities consistent with the SPoRT mission in thefollowing areas:Regional weather modelingo Develop and maintain state-of-the art regional forecast models for real-time and casestudy analysis in support of SPoRT initiatives - develop end-to-end processing scripts to initialize and run advanced versions of theWeather Research and Forecast (WRF) model in conjunction with other SPoRT scientists - modify, maintain, and investigate existing and new land surface model softwarepackages such as the GSFC Land Information System (LIS) to assimilate experimental fromNASA EOS research satellites and future Decadal Survey instruments and NOAA operationalsatellites - conduct sensitivity studies and case study evaluations on the impact of NASA and NOAAdata using the WRF / LIS and NASA Unified WRF (NUWRF) configurations, leading topublications in peer-reviewed scientific journals - assist in the transition of WRF / LIS products into end user decision supportsystems.o Develop training materials on the use and interpretation on WRF / LIS consistent withother SPoRT training aids for end userso Support other SPoRT initiatives as requestedTotal lightning analysis and disseminationo Total lightning data processing and analysis from ground-based networks - develop and maintain end-to-end processing schemes turning signals from ground-basedlightning networks into geophysical parameters leading to publications in peer-reviewedjournals, - disseminate products to end users through established SPoRT processes and into endusers decision support systemso Develop proxy data sets for future instruments - transition products and capabilities to end user's decision support systemo Develop training materials on the use and interpretation of total lightning informationcorresponding transitioned productso Support other SPoRT initiatives as requestedThe above activities shall be conducted collaboratively with SPoRT scientists to insureproper understanding and use of existing and new capabilities within the team and theuser community. Activities conducted in support of these tasks must assist the SPoRTteam in sustaining unique transition to operations capabilities in the area of regionalmodeling and data assimilation and total lighting mapping.NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from ENSCO, Fall Church, VA, pursuant to FAR6.302-1 which implements 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) for acquisition of supplies or servicesfrom only one source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requrements. Competition is impractical for the following reasons: 1. ENSCO has provided weather modeling and total lightning expertise to the SPoRT for anumber of years, collaborating with international academic organizations, government andnonprofit agencies, and private firms to further integrate NASA observations into modelsand to help disseminate real-time weather data to the NWS. This collaboration has been akey component to the success of the SPoRT program. Continuing this collaboration iscritical to achieving SPoRT program objectives.2. This procurement is a follow-on to previous activities for the continuation of weatherforecast model development activities which began with Contract NNM07AA58D and totallightning analysis and forecasting under NNM07AD96D. Under NNM07AA58D, ENSCO appliedscientific expertise to integrate various satellite products (sea surface temperature,vegetation fraction, etc.) into the NASA Land Information System (LIS) modeling schemeand coupled it with the Weather Research and Forecast Model (WRF) software to demonstrateimprovement in short-term weather forecasts. Detailed verification procedures andprograms were developed to validate improvement in the forecast model.Under NNM07AD96D,ENSCO has used its scientific expertise to develop unique total lighting products fromground-based data that demonstrate the utility of future space-based observations andhave transitioned these data sets to weather forecast offices.These investments inresources and expertise have contributed significantly to the SPoRT program, can noteasily be replicated in a timely or cost effective manner, and have enhanced NASAspartnership with the National Weather Service producing a more direct and effectivetransition of products to the operational weather community. Award to any other entitywould result in duplication of costs that would not be recovered through competition andwould fail to leverage the synergy and cost savings from building on the ongoing SPoRTprogram efforts.3. ENSCO has already established a successful collaboration and paradigm with NASA andthe NWS to transition advanced weather modeling and atmospheric electricity products totheir end users and can leverage this experience as the SPoRT program continues toachieve is objective. Since SPoRT has great familiarity with ENSCO, the continuedexecution of the collaboration and paradigm will be much easier and timely in deliveringproducts to end users.The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform theeffort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local timeon March 22, 2012. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for thepurpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and opencompetition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretionof the government.Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is Robin N.Henderson, e-mail: robin.n.henderson@nasa.gov; telephone: (256) 544-1919, address:NASA/MSFC, Mail Code: DE01, Bldg 4200, RM 918A, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812.
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