AWARD: NOAA Commercial Weather Data Program Radio Occultation Data Buy II (RODB) -2
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has modified existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for the Commercial Weather Data Program Radio Occultation Data Buy II (RODB-2). This action, executed on behalf of the Commercial Data Program (CDP) under NESDIS, justifies an increase in the contract ceiling to ensure the continuous acquisition of critical radio occultation data.
Purpose of Modification
This modification supports NOAA's operational weather forecasting and space weather prediction needs by securing near-real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) and ionospheric measurements. The increase is necessary to accommodate Delivery Orders 6 and 7, ensuring data continuity until the next IDIQ (IDIQ 3) is awarded, preventing interruption to NOAA's operational systems and degradation of forecast model performance.
Scope of Data Acquisition
The program acquires and processes GNSS RO data into value-added products, such as neutral atmospheric profiles and total electron content (TEC). Key requirements include the acquisition of near-real-time measurements, processing into value-added products for weather, climate, and atmospheric research, and delivery of data to the NESDIS Common Cloud Framework (NCCF) with operational reliability to support integration into NOAA's forecast models.
Contract Details
The RODB-2 IDIQ contracts (1332KP23DNEEP0001 and 1332KP23DNEEP0002) are being modified to increase their maximum value by 95%. The ordering period for these contracts remains March 27, 2023, through March 26, 2028. This is a justification for a contract modification, not a new solicitation. Task/delivery orders under the IDIQ will continue to be competed among the existing awardees.
Justification Rationale
The statutory authority for this action, permitting other than full and open competition, is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1), as implemented by FAR Subpart 6.103-1(b): Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Market research indicated that only two vendors, Spire Global Subsidiary, Inc. and Space Sciences and Engineering LLC (dba PlanetiQ), currently possess the unique capabilities to meet these requirements. No other capable vendors were identified.
Additional Notes
The increase is driven by the proven operational value of the data and the expansion of commercial supply, which exceeded initial projections. This action optimizes the contract to leverage current market capacity and NOAA's internal models.