U. S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Central Administratrive Support Center, 601 East 12th St., CC31:BLM, Rm. 1756, Kansas City, Missouri 64106

66 -- METEOROLOGICAL BALLOONS SOL 51WCNW606057BLM DUE 060796 POC Betty L. Morris (816)426-7267, ext 234 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intends to purchase free-flight, single envelope, non-vented, freely expanding meteorological balloons to support the National Weather Service (NWS) Upper Air Program. Balloons must meet the performance requirement set forth in the NWS Specification No. J300-SP004 dated March 11, 1996. Balloons must be able to withstand all weather conditions ranging from that occurring in the polar latitudes to that found in the tropics, and be capable of reaching ascension heights in excess of 30 kilometers (km). The types of balloons to be acquired are classified according to the desired altitude and function. The Severe Weather (SW) 16km, General Purpose (GP) 26km, GP28km, GP30km, High Modulus (HM) 26km, HM28km, HM30km are used to carry instruments aloft. The Government intends to award an indefinite quantity and requirements type contract for a base 12 month period with three consecutive 12 month option periods. The estimated annual requirements are as follows: SW16/ 2,000 - 5,000 EA; GP/25,000 - 55,000 EA; HM/25,000 - 55,000 EA. Solicitation to be issued on or about May 7, 1996. The Government plans to request samples for testing before award of a contract and intends to make two (2) awards for the GP and HM balloons. However, the Government will not award a contract at a price that it considers to be unusually high. Firms interested in this requirement may request a copy of the solicitation by sending a letter to the address identified herein or by sending a FAX to (816) 426-7530. Only written or FAXED requests will be honored. All responsible sources may submit a bid which will be considered by the Agency. (0095)

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