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A -- NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE SYSTEM (NPOESS) DOWN-SELECTION CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS (CFI) SOL F04701-96-R-0012 DUE 031298 POC Contract Negotiator: John McIvers, (310) 336-6940. GPSOS Instrument Manager: Dr. Bill Denig, (301) 227-2084, ext. 107. OMPS and CrIS Instrument Manager: Don Blersch, (301) 426-2084, ext. 164. Contracting Officer: Capt Ed Keller, (310) 336-3641 WEB: click here to download the CFI, http://www.ipo.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: click here to gain access to this library via e-mail, datamanager@ipo.noaa.gov. The Government will soon begin a series of phased releases of Call for Improvements (CFI) leading to the selection of a contractor for continued development and production options for the following National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) sensors: Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS), and GPS Occultation Sensor (GPSOS). After a full and open competition, on 30 July 1997, the Government awarded multiple Phase I contracts for Sensor Payload and Algorithm Development for CrIS and OMPS, and a single contract for GPSOS. These Phase I development efforts will have completed their Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) prior to release of the CFIs. From proposals submitted in response to the CFI, the Government intends to down-select to a single Phase II contractor per instrument (CrIS, OMPS, and GPSOS) to complete the instrument development through delivery of flight units for NPOESS. The CFI will be conducted as a full and open competitionto all of industry. The Government will evaluate fairly and fully all responsive proposals submitted in response to the CFI. However, Offerors are advised that it is unlikely that a non-incumbent will be selected to perform the Phase II effort. To be selected, a new competitor must demonstrate a PDR-level of instrument and algorithm design maturity and risk reduction in their CFI proposal. While the Government intends to select a Phase II contractor shortly after PDR, the Government reserves the right not to select and to either extend the parallel development efforts to a future selection milestone (e.g., CDR), or cease further development activity. The Government requests a Letter of Intent from potential offerors desiring to submit a CFI proposal. From those offerors currently not participating in the current sensor development, the Government strongly recommends a contractor-funded PDR-level presentation as part of its CFI submission. It is desirable to hold these PDR-level presentations prior to the CFIrelease. The expected dates for the CFI releases are: GPSOS, 12 Nov 98; OMPS, 29 Jan 99; and CrIS, 30 Apr 99. Proposals are due 21 calendar days after CFI release. Letters of Intent are requested no later than 60 days prior to CFI release, and should be directed to the Contracting Officer at NPOESS IPO OL-1 (SMC/CIKC), 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1467-A8, Los Angeles AFB, CA 90245-4659, facsimile (310) 336-4522. The CFI will be released via the NPOESS home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.ipo.noaa.gov). Also, the Government has an NPOESS Electronic Library containing NPOESS-related documentation necessary for CFI preparation. To gain access to this library, send an e-mail to datamanager@ipo.noaa.gov containing point of contact, organization, e-mail address, and phone number. You are advised that an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors during the down-selection phase of the acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the System Program Directoror Contracting Officer, but to assist in communicating offeror concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendation to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. The Ombudsman, Mr. Les Bordelon, can be reached at (310) 363-3818. See Note(s) 26***** Posted 09/03/98 (W-SN245326). (0246)

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