Electronic Systems Center/AVK, Contracting Division, Command & Control Systems, 20 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2816

A -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM COMMERCIAL SOURCES FOR AN AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVATION SYSTEM POC Pauline French, Contract Specialist, 617-377-7387; Stephen M. Meehan, Contracting Officer, 617-377-7391; Al Pettingill, Technical Point of Contact, 617-377-6402. Electronic System Center (ESC) Weather Systems Program Office (ESC/AVW) is conducting a survey of non-developmental/commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) automated weather observation systems to support the potential procurement of a quantity of Tactical Meteorological (TACMET) Observing Systems to meet Air Force requirements. Requirements that will generate the need for new development are not anticipated. The TACMET System will provide Air Force weather personnel with an enhanced capability to gather current weather information in support of Air Force, Army, Joint, and combined combat operations. Theater-specific weather information must be effectively collected and integrated to provide execution planning factors to the warfighter that are timely, accurate, and meaningful. The current inventory of tactical weather sensors are manually operated, have little automation, are not networked with a processing center to provide real time weather processing and forecasting, and are manpower intensive. The TACMET System will be an automated modular sensor system capable of determining cloud amount, cloud heights, surface visibility, surface pressure, surface wind speed and direction, surface temperature, surface dewpoint temperature, precipitation, and present weather. Additional sensors will be required to determine lightning (direction and range), soil moisture (at 6 inch depth), soil temperature (at 6 inch depth), and nighttime illumination. The individual sensor packages should plug in and plug out of a small central processor and transmitting subsystem to allow tailoring of the sensor suite to meet specific mission requirements. The TACMET processor must also be capable of interfacing with the inventory weather sensors having either an RS-232 or RS-449 interface. The TACMET System must automatically collect and transmit data directly to the Tactical Forecasting System (TFS) and be able to communicate with the TFS. The TACMET System must be capable of remote activation from the TFS site. This remote capability must be able to direct the TACMET System to observe and transmit at a selectable set of time periods and radio frequencies, to turn the system on and off, hold transmission, and respond to automatic query of sensor status. The TACMET System must be able to self-test each subassembly from an on-site request for ease of maintenance, the display will show the results of the self test. The system design should allow for the removal and replacement of defective components (e.g., plug-in/plug-out sensors) in the field. Typical employment scenarios include both fixed base within the continental United States/overseas and deployments to open field (Bare-Base locations). Two-man portable modular systems are of particular interest due to critical mobility requirements. The draft TACMET Technical Requirements Document (TRD), Program Schedule and technical information on current inventory weather sensors that are to be integrated into the TACMET system, will be available on the Hanscom Electronic RFP Bulletin Board (HERBB). The HERBB may be accessed with a modem by dialing 617-377-1487 or may also be accessed on the Internet at http://129.53.216.11/herbb.htm. Technical Information is requested on potential candidate systems/products to meet requirements outlined herein. If the candidate systems/products are currently available on a Government contract, please provide pertinent information including contracting agency, contract number, point of contact, and the appropriate company and address. Responses are requested not later than 30 days after the publication date of this synopsis. Commercial brochures and technical information may be submitted in hardcopy or via electronic media to: Mr. Al Pettingill, ESC/AVW, 20 Schilling Circle, Hanscom AFB MA 01731-2816, (617)377-6402 (pettingilla@radium-vs1.hanscom.af.mil). Firms should indicate whether they are small or small disadvantaged or woman owned businesses. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to purchase TACMET systems. (0141)

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