Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, SMC -- Space & Missiles System Center, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 2420, El Segundo, CA, 90245-4659

A -- NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE SYSTEM (NPOESS) DOWN-SELECTION CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS, VISIBLE INFRARED IMAGING RADIOMETER SUITE (VIIRS) SOL F04701-99-R-0507 DUE 050500 POC Brandon Montler, Primary POC, Phone 310-336-4323, Email brandon.montler@losangeles.af.mil -- Garth Arevalo, Seconday POC, Phone 310-336-4560, Email garth.arevalo@losangeles.af.mil WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=M&ProjID=F04701-99-R-0507&LocID=901. E-MAIL: Brandon Montler, brandon.montler@losangeles.af.mil. Please note that the solicitation number for this effort has been changed to F04701-00-R-0507 (formerly F04701-99-R-0507). The previously published description of the effort was incomplete; the complete text is as follows: The Government will release a Call for Improvement (CFI) on or about 2 Jun 00 leading to the selection of a contractor for continued development and production options for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Satellite System's (NPOESS) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor. Proposals will be due 30 days after CFI release (on or about 3 Jul 00). After a full and open competition, the Government awarded multiple Phase I contracts for Sensor Payload and Algorithm Development for VIIRS on 31 Jul 97. The Phase I incumbent contractors will have completed their Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) prior to release of the CFI. From proposals submitted in response to the CFI, the Government intends to down-select to a single Phase II contractor to complete the instrument development through delivery of flight units for NPOESS. The CFI will be conducted as a full and open competition. The Government will evaluate fairly and fully all responsive proposals submitted in response to the CFI. However, Offerors are advised that it is unlikely a non-incumbent will be selected to perform the Phase II effort. To be selected, a new competitor must demonstrate a PDR-level instrument, algorithm 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 CFI will be released via the NPOESS home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.ipo.noaa.gov). The Government has an 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. The IPO intends to release Draft Request for Proposal 2 (DRFP) for VIIRS on or about 27 Apr 00 to encourage industry participation in developing the CFI and will request contractors to respond with comments on or about 5 May 00. Industry is encouraged to comment on any element of DRFP 2 with the understanding that responses are voluntary and the Government is neither negotiating nor calling for offers during this process. Potential offerors are advised the Government reserves the right to incorporate suggested changes into the final CFI without identifying the submitter or obtaining approval. The Government will not make its responses to submitted comments available to industry and may not make them available to the submitter. The DRFP will be released through the NPOESS electronic library. You are advised that an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors during the down-selection phase of the acquisition. Thepurpose of the Ombudsman is to assist in communicating offeror concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality regarding the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in proposal evaluation or in the source selection process. The Ombudsman, Mr. Les Bordelon, can be reached at (310) 363-3818. Posted 04/24/00 (D-SN447905). (0115)

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