NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 219, Greenbelt, MD 20771

A -- GODDARD EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM -- DATA ASSIMILATION SYSTEM (GEOS-DAS) SOL RFO5-60741-253 POC Diane Scherer, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-9285, Fax (301)286-1739, Email Diane.B.Scherer.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- William A. Hatchl, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-3734, Fax (301)286-1739, Email William.A.Hatchl.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#RFO5-60741-253. E-MAIL: Diane Scherer, Diane.B.Scherer.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) plans to issue a Request for Offer (RFO)5-60741-253 to Atmospheric Environmental Research, Inc. (AER) of Cambridge, MA. The proposed cost-plus-fixed-fee contract will have a basic period of three years. The proposed procurement is for characterization of errors for numerical weather predictions using independent validation, including developing an objective methodology, of the assimilated data fields produced by the Goddard Earth Observing System -- Data Assimilation System (GEOS-DAS) and it's Data Assimilation Office (DAO). The validation requirement shall characterize errors in the short-term and medium-term predictions from the GEOS-DAS quantitatively in terms of the sum of a distortion error and a residual error. This type of validation and characterization of errors will lead to the ability of objectively assimilating satellite water vapor imagery using the GEOS-DAS. The statutory authority for Other Than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source. AER has unique capability and expertise in the area of satellite imagery assimilation. AER's previously has prototyped the methodology for characterization of errors and assimilating satellite water vapor images. As part of developing this methodology, AER has developed software to support the validation and assimilation tests required by the DAO. AER's previous work in the area of satellite imagery assimilation and unique knowledge of the DAO GEOS-DAS system, as well as data fields from that system makes it uniquely qualified to perform this research and interpret the results The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such ualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. Posted 08/05/98 (D-SN233205). (0217)

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