Common Analytic and Support System (CASS) for the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Tsunami Warning Centers (TWCs)
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), specifically the National Weather Service (NWS), is soliciting quotations (RFQ 1305M326Q0019) for the development of a Common Analytic and Support System (CASS) for its Tsunami Warning Centers (TWCs). This system will provide comprehensive forecast and alerting guidance, integrating with the NWS enterprise platform (ATOMS) and existing code. This opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Quotations are due February 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.
Opportunity Details
The CASS project aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Tsunami Warning Centers in Palmer, AK, and Honolulu, HI, by ensuring consistent and fault-tolerant forecast and alerting guidance. The system will integrate deep-ocean assessment, data ingest from various sources (seismic, landslide monitoring, GNSS), ensemble and inundation modeling, event simulation, and robust dissemination capabilities. The system is classified as high impact, requiring U.S. Citizen employees and strict IT security adherence.
Key deliverables include:
- CLIN 0001 (Baselining Effort): A two-month phase (March 16, 2026 - May 15, 2026) to determine team capacity and sprint velocity, culminating in the finalization of CLIN 0002 details.
- CLIN 0002 (CASS Development): Full system development, including migration, testing, evaluation, implementation, and code fixes, from May 16, 2026, to May 15, 2027.
- CLIN 0003 (Other Direct Costs): Covers travel expenses.
- Optional CLINs (1001 & 1002): For additional development and associated direct costs, to be negotiated.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price for development CLINs (0001, 0002) and Time-and-Materials for ODCs (0003). Optional CLINs are FFP/T&M.
- Period of Performance: Baselining effort from March 16, 2026, to May 15, 2026. CASS Development from May 16, 2026, to May 15, 2027. An optional development period extends to May 15, 2028.
- Estimated Value: The ceiling for Time-and-Materials line items is $124,000.00, with $108,000.00 allotted.
- Solicitation Issue Date: February 6, 2026.
- Offer Due Date: February 17, 2026, 2:00 PM Pacific Time.
Submission & Evaluation
This acquisition uses a two-phase advisory down-select strategy and the Set Price with Highest Evaluated Ratings (SPHERe) methodology.
- Phase I Submission: Requires general documents (signed SF 1449, SF 30s, Section K) and a Factor 1 (Experience) submission. The experience submission, limited to 6 pages, must demonstrate capability in areas such as High Performance Computing (HPC), Cloud Architecture, legacy code integration, Seismological and Hydrographical Modeling, and Short-Term, High Impact Iterative Project Management.
- Phase II: Will involve an iterative project management approach, technical demonstration, and price submission.
- Evaluation Factors: Experience, Iterative Project Management Approach, Technical Demonstration, and Price. Price will be evaluated for reasonableness but is not a discriminator.
Eligibility & Contacts
- Set-Aside: 100% for small business concerns.
- NAICS Code: 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) with a $34M size standard.
- Primary Contact: Hannah Hartman (hannah.hartman@noaa.gov)
- Secondary Contact: Meredith Johnson (meredith.johnson@noaa.gov)