NASA Solicitation: Weather Modeling and Atmospheric Electricity Studies
Synopsis – Mar 07, 2012
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNM12427170R
Posted Date: Mar 07, 2012
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Mar 07, 2012
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Mar 22, 2012
Current Response Date: Mar 22, 2012
Classification Code: B — Special studies and analysis – not R and D
NAICS Code: 541990
Contracting Office Address
NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Description
NASA/MSFC has a requirement for Weather Modeling and Atmospheric Electricity Studies in support of the Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project.
Summary: The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) project at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) demonstrates the utility of unique NASA observations and research capabilities to improve short-term weather forecasts on a regional and local scale. The utility of the products is demonstrated end users who provide feedback on the transitioned products and capabilities. The SPoRT project focuses on providing unique remotely sensed measurements of atmospheric and surface processes which are assimilated into initial conditions of weather forecast models or used diagnostically by end users. This activity prepares end users for future operational capabilities.
Scope of Work: Provide on-site modeling and remote sensing expertise to conduct collaborative research and transition activities consistent with the SPoRT mission in the following areas:
Regional weather modeling o Develop and maintain state-of-the art regional forecast models for real-time and case study analysis in support of SPoRT initiatives – develop end-to-end processing scripts to initialize and run advanced versions of the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model in conjunction with other SPoRT scientists – modify, maintain, and investigate existing and new land surface model software packages such as the GSFC Land Information System (LIS) to assimilate experimental from NASA EOS research satellites and future Decadal Survey instruments and NOAA operational satellites – conduct sensitivity studies and case study evaluations on the impact of NASA and NOAA data using the WRF / LIS and NASA Unified WRF (NUWRF) configurations, leading to publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals – assist in the transition of WRF / LIS products into end user decision support systems. o Develop training materials on the use and interpretation on WRF / LIS consistent with other SPoRT training aids for end users o Support other SPoRT initiatives as requested
Total lightning analysis and dissemination o Total lightning data processing and analysis from ground-based networks – develop and maintain end-to-end processing schemes turning signals from ground-based lightning networks into geophysical parameters leading to publications in peer-reviewed journals, – disseminate products to end users through established SPoRT processes and into end users decision support systems o Develop proxy data sets for future instruments – transition products and capabilities to end user’s decision support system o Develop training materials on the use and interpretation of total lightning information corresponding transitioned products o Support other SPoRT initiatives as requested
The above activities shall be conducted collaboratively with SPoRT scientists to insure proper understanding and use of existing and new capabilities within the team and the user community. Activities conducted in support of these tasks must assist the SPoRT team in sustaining unique transition to operations capabilities in the area of regional modeling and data assimilation and total lighting mapping.
NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from ENSCO, Fall Church, VA, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 which implements 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) for acquisition of supplies or services from only one source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requrements. Competition is impractical for the following reasons:
1. ENSCO has provided weather modeling and total lightning expertise to the SPoRT for a number of years, collaborating with international academic organizations, government and nonprofit agencies, and private firms to further integrate NASA observations into models and to help disseminate real-time weather data to the NWS. This collaboration has been a key component to the success of the SPoRT program. Continuing this collaboration is critical to achieving SPoRT program objectives.
2. This procurement is a follow-on to previous activities for the continuation of weather forecast model development activities which began with Contract NNM07AA58D and total lightning analysis and forecasting under NNM07AD96D. Under NNM07AA58D, ENSCO applied scientific expertise to integrate various satellite products (sea surface temperature, vegetation fraction, etc.) into the NASA Land Information System (LIS) modeling scheme and coupled it with the Weather Research and Forecast Model (WRF) software to demonstrate improvement in short-term weather forecasts. Detailed verification procedures and programs were developed to validate improvement in the forecast model. Under NNM07AD96D, ENSCO has used its scientific expertise to develop unique total lighting products from ground-based data that demonstrate the utility of future space-based observations and have transitioned these data sets to weather forecast offices. These investments in resources and expertise have contributed significantly to the SPoRT program, can not easily be replicated in a timely or cost effective manner, and have enhanced NASA’s partnership with the National Weather Service producing a more direct and effective transition of products to the operational weather community. Award to any other entity would result in duplication of costs that would not be recovered through competition and would fail to leverage the synergy and cost savings from building on the ongoing SPoRT program efforts.
3. ENSCO has already established a successful collaboration and paradigm with NASA and the NWS to transition advanced weather modeling and atmospheric electricity products to their end users and can leverage this experience as the SPoRT program continues to achieve is objective. Since SPoRT has great familiarity with ENSCO, the continued execution of the collaboration and paradigm will be much easier and timely in delivering products to end users.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on March 22, 2012. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The installation Ombudsman is Robin N. Henderson, e-mail: robin.n.henderson@nasa.gov; telephone: (256) 544-1919, address: NASA/MSFC, Mail Code: DE01, Bldg 4200, RM 918A, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812.
Point of Contact
Name: Melinda E. Dodson
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 256-961-7454
Fax: 256-961-7524
Email: Melinda.E.Dodson@nasa.gov
Name: Belinda F Triplett
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 256-961-7650
Fax: 256-961-7524
Email: belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov
