Department of Commerce, Mountain Administrative Support Center, Acqusition Management Division, MC3, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Co 80303-3328

A -- SPACE WEATHER MODEL DEVELOPMENT: CRADA PARTNER(S) SOUGHT DUE 061899 POC Barbara Poppe (technical) 303-497-3992, Mike Crumly (administrative)303-497-3313 The Space Environment Center (SEC)of the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Research Laboratories and National Centers for Environmental Prediction, is seeking highly qualified Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) partner(s) to participate in the development of space weather models that will provide vendors the output on which to base value-added products. SEC is the national center for civilian space weather services and serves a large number of users world-wide. To improve services and forecasts while at the same time fostering a space weather services industry, SEC is beginning to implement models of the solar-terrestrial environment as routine operational products and to disseminate widely their outputs. The implementation involves model evaluation to determine its potential operational value, testing and modification in an operational environment, and final incorporation into the operational system. To achieve the efficient and timely commercial exploitation of model output, SEC proposes to negotiate a CRADA with a private sector firm or firms. The cooperating firm(s) should be willing to locate staff in Boulder, CO or otherwise establish procedures to ensure close cooperation with SEC in Boulder. It is anticipated that the selected CRADA participant(s) will: 1. actively assist in interfacing a model with the existing infrastructure at SEC; 2. assist with model validation; 3. provide operational support for the finished product for the first 12 months of operation; and 4. develop value-added products to sell to its own customers based on the model output from SEC. To accomplish this in a timely manner, the chosen firm(s) is expected to devote an appropriate number of programmers or development staff and, if necessary, provide sufficient computer hardware for development and operational functions. SEC will: 1. provide office space for the partner's staff to co-locate in Boulder; 2. assist with interfacing the model with the SEC infrastructure; 3. advise on the model output and displays; 4. oversee all the software development; and 5. provide scientific expertise to assure quality model output. No government funds will be provided to the participant. Selection of the cooperative private firm or firms is planned for July 16, 1999, and will be made by a panel of Boulder-based scientists, engineers and managers. Execution of an agreement (the CRADA) by the parties is planned for the end of August 1999. Selection criteria will include: 1. the experience and capability of the applicant; 2. proposed level and length of commitment to marketing; 3. marketing strategy; 4. product support; 5. ability to locate staff in Boulder for an extended period of time; and 6. overall benefit to SEC and its customers. Proposals should provide sufficient information to address the selection criteria and the ability of the applicant to fulfill the enumerated CRADA partner responsibilities. This information should also include resumes of key individuals and a detailed statement of how the party proposes to meet all of the obligations. Contact: Barbara Poppe, Space Environment Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303, (303)497-3992, bpoppe@sec.noaa.gov on technical issues, and Mike Crumly (303)497-3313, mcrumly@sec.noaa.gov on administrative issues. Responses are to be submitted to Barbara Poppe no later than 3 p.m. MST June 18, 1999. Posted 04/12/99 (W-SN318427). (0102)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0008 19990414\A-0008.SOL)