Commercial Data Pilot (CDP) Program – Wildfire Imagery Pilot Study
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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued RFP 1332KP26R0016 for the Commercial Data Pilot (CDP) Program – Wildfire Imagery Pilot Study. This Total Small Business Set-Aside seeks to acquire commercial multi-spectral imagery observations and investigate the utility of radiometric data to aid in wildfire detection, characterization, monitoring, and mapping. Proposals are due by April 30, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. ET.
Scope of Work
The contractor shall supply commercial space-based multi-spectral observation data, preferably including visible, near-infrared, short-wave infrared, mid-wave infrared, and long-wave infrared channels. This data will be used to evaluate commercial imagery for wildfire detection, characterization, monitoring, and mapping, comparing its performance against NOAA's existing instruments. Key requirements include delivering at least 80% of constellation-level data during the peak wildfire season (June-November) over a 3-9 month period, focusing on the Western United States. Data products are expected at Level 1B (calibrated, geolocated radiances) and potentially Level 1C (resampled) and Level 2 (derived geophysical products).
Performance Standards
Critical performance metrics include a minimum 80% operational availability for the constellation, spatial resolution (threshold 200m, objective 50m at nadir), geolocation accuracy (threshold 100% of horizontal spatial resolution, objective 50%), and Level 1B product latency (threshold 3 hours, objective 60 minutes). Data products must be traceable to recognized reference standards, with VIIRS as the primary external reference instrument.
Contract Details
- Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract(s).
- NAICS: 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services) with a $40.0 million size standard.
- Period of Performance: June 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business.
- Place of Performance: Data delivery focused on the Western United States.
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposals Due: April 30, 2026, 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
- Questions Due: April 20, 2026, 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time (submit using the attached question form).
- Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated based on Technical Capability (significantly more important than Price) and Price. Offerors must demonstrate current operational capabilities.
- Submission Method: Electronically via email.
Special Requirements
Required spectral bands include Visible/Near Infrared, Shortwave/Midwave Infrared, and Longwave Infrared. Technical documentation, including Algorithm Theoretical Basis Documents (ATBDs) and calibration/validation data, is mandatory. Data delivery will be via HTTPS or SFTP to the NESDIS Common Cloud Framework (NCCF), with security compliance to CAR Clause 1352.239-72 and NIST standards. NOAA requires a perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and create derived products from the data.