U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/OFA/AGFS/AMD -- OFA51, 1305 East West Highway -- Station 7604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

66 -- BALLOON INFLATION AND LAUNCH SHELTERS POC Edward F. Tennant, Jr., Contracting Officer, 301/713-0823 WEB: Click here to download a copy of the draft Specification,, http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML. This is a Request for Information (RFI). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) desires comments on its Specification, Statement of Work, and Contract Data Requirements List for Balloon Inflation and Launch Shelters (BILS) for use in the preparation and launch of helium-filled weather balloons. In addition to general comments, respondents should identify any cost drivers and any requirements which add unnecessary complexity to the BILS. Prospective respondents are advised that NOAA presently does not have funding for BILS, and there is no guaranty that funding for BILS will become available in the future. The Government will not award a contract based on this RFI. The Government will not pay for information received in response to this RFI; provided, however, that costs properly chargeable under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Section 31.205-18, "Independent Research and Development and Bid and Proposal Cost," may be allocated to Government contracts consistent with the terms of such contracts. Draft copies of NOAA's Specification, Statement of Work, and Contract Data Requirements List may be accessed at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML or may be obtained in hard copy by contacting Ms. Mary Watson in writing at the header address or by fax at 301/713-0806. All information submitted in response to this RFI must be received by the Government no later than April 7, 2000. Responses may be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Watson at the header address or by fax at 301/713-0806. Posted 03/07/00 (W-SN431820). (0067)

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