SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) Extended Life
- Notice Date
- 7/1/2021 11:39:03 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA SILVER SPRING MD 20910 USA
- ZIP Code
- 20910
- Response Due
- 7/30/2021 8:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 08/14/2021
- Point of Contact
- Jame Chang
- E-Mail Address
-
jame.chang@noaa.gov
(jame.chang@noaa.gov)
- Description
- Overview This is a Request for Information (RFI). This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment for an RFP in the future and it is not considered to be a commitment by the Government to award a contract. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this announcement. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this RFI or Government use of any information provided. Disclaimer and Important Notes The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The information is requested for planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3, entitled ""Request for Information for Planning Purposes."" Only material suitable for internal government distribution shall be submitted. Any proprietary information should be marked accordingly. The U.S. Government will protect all proprietary information received from respondents, and distribution of any material will be based on a strict need-to-know basis. No classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation.� However, note that the submissions may be subject to review by experts outside of the civil service such as NOAA contractors, each of whom would sign non-disclosure agreements as required. This exchange of information must be consistent with procurement integrity requirements (See FAR 3.104). Background NOAA�s Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) satellite system offers the advantage of daily global coverage, by making nearly polar orbits 14 times per day approximately 520 miles above the surface of the Earth. The orbits are circular, with an altitude between 830 (morning orbit) and 870 (afternoon orbit) km, and are sun synchronous. The Earth's rotation allows the satellite to see a different view with each orbit, and each satellite provides two complete views of weather around the world each day. NOAA partners with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) to constantly operate at least two polar-orbiting satellites � one POES and one European polar-orbiting satellite called MetOp.� Currently, NOAA operates three POES satellites - NOAA-15, NOAA-18, and NOAA-19, all of which no longer have the ability to perform propellant based maneuvers. Status on the current operations NOAA POES Satellites as well as orbital characteristics can be further found at the following URL: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Operations/POES/status.html Current POES operations utilizes a single northern hemisphere downlink per orbit at the Government ground stations in Fairbanks, Alaska and Wallops Island, Virginia. POES operations currently uses S-band for command and control and L-band to downlink onboard stored mission data. However, the POES observatories can be configured to use exclusively S-Band or L-Band to facilitate dual downlink of mission data as well as command and control on a single band; Commanding is done exclusively on S-band. POES operations will still require the continual Direct Readout Services (e.g. bent-pipe) downlink of L-Band High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) data to the international user community outside of ground contacts. Further information on the the POES Direct Readout Services utilized by the POES GS can be found at the following URL: https://noaasis.noaa.gov/POLAR/HRPT/hrpt.html The POES instruments include the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument and the Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) suite. The EUMETSAT-provided Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) instrument completes the ATOVS suite. The AVHRR/ATOVS provides visible, infrared, and microwave data which is used for a variety of applications such as cloud and precipitation monitoring, determination of surface properties, and humidity profiles. The NOAA POES observatories are the secondary datasource complementing the flagship Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Mission which operates out of a different ground system and is the primary data source for NOAA Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) observations. Data from the POES series however supports a broad range of environmental monitoring applications including weather analysis and forecasting, climate research and prediction, global sea surface temperature measurements, atmospheric soundings of temperature and humidity, ocean dynamics research, volcanic eruption monitoring, forest fire detection, global vegetation analysis, search and rescue, and many other applications. NOAA strategic expectations in supporting its federal, domestic and international partners requires the continuation of science collection from these observatories, while at a reduced operations cost. Further information on the POES Mission can be found at the following URL: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/strat_a_f/NOAA-N_Prime.pdf Terms �TBD� (To Be Determined) indicates further research or analysis is needed to determine the information - a pending decision. �TBR� (To Be Reviewed) means that the stated information needs more analysis and will be reviewed for appropriateness by the Contractor and the Government, and the Government may change the value prior to final definition. �Government� or �Government representatives� means federal Government personnel and Government support contractor personnel. �Vendor� means all Contractor, Subcontractor and or Academia support utilized within the scope of this RFI. �Observatory� refers to the spacecraft bus fully or partially integrated with one or more flight instruments. Purpose This RFI details the required efforts for assuming the current on-orbit operations responsibilities for NOAA-15, NOAA-18, and NOAA-19 observatories as well as supporting any development and delivery of operational capabilities. The Government is looking to gain further market research on how academia or industry could potentially augment, take ownership or fully replace existing Government capabilities in innovative ways while maintaining ongoing extended science operations of the NOAA-15, NOAA-18, and NOAA-19 observatories at the lowest cost possible.� The Government is not intending to prescribe nor preclude specific technical solutions in response to this RFI.� The Government understands there is a potential spectrum of possible approaches, from full vendor provided solutions with the government simply picking up the data from a cloud object store to hybrid approaches that involve partnership with NOAA and shared responsibilities using NOAA-owned equipment and expertise alongside vendor provided materials and expertise. NOAA�s preference is for the vendor to take on as much responsibility as practical. However, NOAA acknowledges this may not be the most feasible or economic approach, and, so, through this RFI, is seeking industry input. The following are areas NOAA would like to better understand where innovative approaches exist to further tailor NOAA�s long-term objectives/priorities and likewise should be considered in responses to this RFI�s identified scope: Commercially Provided Ground System Services Utilization of Software as a Service (SaaS) capabilities, to facilitate Command, Control and Communications System (C3S) capabilities of� NOAA POES observatory science collection. The Primary Functions included in C3S are Command and Control, Mission Planning and Scheduling, Trending and Analysis, Flight Dynamics as well as Ground Station Radio Frequency (RF) functionality Ability to perform remote operations without a physical facilities presence. Ability to support ongoing changes to Cloud Based C3S Capabilities in a manner consistent with existing NOAA security framework. Further information on NOAA Cybersecurity Policy can be found at the following URL: https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/content/3000-3999-it-and-cyber-security Ability to provide capabilities that are currently or could be FedRAMP Approved Modularity of identified Cloud Based Services in their ability to allow for further enhancement, replacement and or modification Use of Automated Functionality to facilitate Efficient Ongoing Operations of NOAA POES observatory science collection. Utilization of Commercially Provided S-Band and or L-Band RF Services Elimination and/or, at a minimum significant reduction of NOAA-owned Ground Station Utilization by leveraging Commercial RF Services Provide science mission data via cloud object storage for processing by NOAA�s Environmental Satellite Processing Center (ESPC), while minimizing cost and data latency. Government Furnished Property The Government currently has existing functionality available and can provide specific capabilities to the Vendor as Government Furnished Property (GFP), as requested. For the RFI, respondents are encouraged to identify additional Government resources that could be supplied to reduce cost and/or increase operational efficiency. Such items that could be utilized within an RFI response include, but are not limited to:� Existing POES Ground System Executables, Products, Databases or Procedures Existing POES Observatory Simulators Conjunction Assessment and Risk Assessment (CARA) capabilities Radio Frequency (RF) Ground Station Functionality at either Wallops, VA and or Fairbanks, AK Limited Mission Critical Facilities Space at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland Maryland and or the Consolidated Backup Facility (CBU) in Fairmont West Virginia NOAA networking capabilities Government Constraints For purposes of providing a response, interested sources shall assume the Government will provide and require for use the all necessary COMSEC Material and devices to support operations of the NOAA POES Observatories. Specifically, FIPS 140-2 Compliant KIT-223 Ground Units will need to be interfaced via RS-232 and or RS-422 connections. This also includes the applicable COMSEC Security Plan (CSP) and Key Management Plan (KMP) documentation for NOAA POES Observatories. It is anticipated that the Vendor shall protect cryptographic equipment and key material in accordance with all forementioned applicable policies. It is anticipated that the Vendor shall support a review of the Vendor implemented COMSEC security controls by the Government prior to the delivery of any cryptographic equipment and key material. It is also anticipated that the Vendor shall resolve any discrepancies identified by the Government in review of the Vendor implemented solution prior to the delivery of any cryptographic equipment and key material. Request for Information Response Requirements The Government would like to further hear from both academia and industry on potential frameworks to best support maintaining POES extended science operations activities while meeting the above identified� NOAA long-term objectives/priorities. Sources intending to respond to this RFI should thoroughly review the aforementioned and submit the following information:� Reference Architecture and Concept of Operations supporting POES Extended Life, including details pertaining to software applications, network topologies, requested cloud services and or physical equipment or facilities. If or how the proposed solution meets, or has the potential to meet through modifications, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101 Definition of a ""commercial item,"" describe if or how a solution can meet the FAR 2.101 definition of a commercial item if modifications are required, and discuss the time frame involved. Identification of any requested Government Furnished Property (GFP) and Government Furnished Information (GFI) as described above, and any expected modifications required to support the Vendor�s Reference Architecture and Concept of Operations Processes as well as assumptions for how to transition operations from the legacy POES Ground System to a Vendor provided solution within a single calendar year.� Any Potential Risks and or Issues for the Government to Consider, including but not limited to, Information Technology (IT) Security or Programmatic considerations Recommendations and analysis regarding potential risk trade offs. The goal is to sustain an aging legacy system at reduced costs. The Government recognizes this may entail more risk but seeks input on the trade space. Recommended approaches to reduce or otherwise mitigate risk for the Government's consideration Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimate to Support 10 years of On-Orbit Science Operations and any required Ground System modifications necessary to maintain operations or IT Security compliance over that period.� For streamlining purposes, you are highly encouraged to use the ROM template that is attached to this RFI. The estimate should include any assumptions and should highlight major cost drivers and opportunities for cost savings such as trade-offs between development costs for automation and operations costs/staffing. Please detail any published catalog pricing, as applicable. Identification of potential Acquisition Strategies, Studies, Cost Sharing, Contract Types and or �Data Buy� scenarios to support the identified Scope of Work as to provide best value to the Government Identification of potential NAICS and PSC code(s) this work would fall under based on the Vendors Reference Architecture and Concept of Operations. Estimation if the majority of the effort and cost will be for computing services and or engineering services Any additional Special Considerations and or Opportunities the Government should otherwise consider� Responses are limited to no more than 25 pages and use a minimum font of 12 point (Times New Roman) on 8 � x 11-inch paper (applicable rough order magnitude spreadsheet not included), each page should be separately numbered and the response must be submitted via email by July 1, 2021, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time to the point of contact listed below. The subject line of the submission should be �RFI for POES Extended Life� and attachments should be in PDF format (except the applicable rough order magnitude spreadsheet). Please submit any questions no later than June 16th, 2021. Questions received after close of business on June 16th may not be considered.� The Government may post answers to any questions it feels are beneficial for potential respondents to this RFI 5 Days after the aforementioned deadline. If your organization is interested in a potential opportunity to provide additional information via virtual one-on-one discussions in the July/August 2021 timeframe, please indicate your intent in the RFI response and provide your availability for a one-hour meeting. The Government intends to review the provided RFIs and reach out to up to 10 respondents, as needed, to schedule one-on-one meetings.�� Please note that the Government may determine that the responses to the RFI are sufficient for the purpose of market research and one-on-one discussions are not needed. The Government retains the right to not hold such interchange meetings or only with some of the potential offerors in the process. Responses may be sent via electronic mail to: Jame Chang Contracting Officer jame.chang@noaa.gov
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