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

D -- COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM (DCS) SOL 52DDNE-1-90001 DUE 051200 POC Helene Kram, Contract Specialist, 301/713/0839; Aileen B. Redding, Contracting Officer, 301/713-0839 E-MAIL: Click here to reach Helene Kram, Contract Specialist, Helene.Kram@agf.noaa.gov. The U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA intends to negotiate on a non-competitive basis with General Electric American Communications for communications services as leased point-to multi-point simplex 56 kbit single-channel satellite service. This service will transmit real-time Data Collection System (DCS) data in a broadcast-mode of operation, 24 hours per day. The data will originate at Wallops, VA., and the two downlink sites are Wallops, Va and Lakewood, CO. All operational downlink sites will be located only within the 48 contiguous states and are not part of this procurement. The broadcast system shall be designed to provide a BER of 1x10 -7 or better without error correction and with a 1.8 meter reflector at the quality monitoring site. Requirements include knowledge of high data rate transmission (300 and 1200 bps), transmission protocols and frequency management issues such as signal interference. With the exception of the downlink at Denver, CO, the system shall be designed to restore service within 2 hours after a failure is reported. Proposals should address broadcast link availabilities of both 99.5% and 99.9% (measured over a one-year period), and include rationale and cost for both. Reliability and maintainability of this service are essential because of the environmental mission of the DCS. The period of performance is one year beginning October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001 and nine one-year options beginning October 1, 2001. All responsible sources may submit a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information and other technical literature demonstrating the ability to meet the above requirement, within 45 days of this notice, to the above address. To be considered an affirmative response, offerors must provide sufficient information to permit agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement for competition, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the Government's discretion. Responses without documentation will be considered non-responsive. Telephonic responses shall not be accepted. Please reference the solicitation number stated above in your response. See Notes 22 and 26. Posted 03/23/00 (W-SN437452). (0083)

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