Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC)-Advancing Weather Modeling Skills

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by potential offerors and the Government's responses, clarifying various aspects of the solicitation.

• Small Business Set-Aside Interpretation: The government clarifies that an Other Than Small Business (OTSB) can participate as a prime via a joint venture with a small business under a mentor-protégé arrangement, or as part of a Prime/Subcontractor teaming arrangement, provided subcontracting limitations are met.
• Award Timeline: NOAA is targeting award in Q2 of FY26.
• Period of Performance: The IDIQ contract is expected to have a five-year ordering period.
• Font and Page Limits: Graphics and tables with a font size no smaller than 9 point are considered "easily readable." Cover letters and tables of contents are generally not counted towards page limits, but specific sections within the Technical Capability Narrative are subject to their own page limits.
• Key Personnel Requirements: The minimum level of effort for Key Personnel has been reduced to 50%, with a requirement for at least two FTEs across four identified key personnel. Substitutions for Key Personnel must meet or exceed the qualifications of the original personnel.
• TCPs (Technical Capability Projects): There is no limit to the number of TCPs that can come from a subcontractor. The government will evaluate TCPs qualitatively based on their relevance, scope, and complexity, not solely on quantity.
• Data Management Plan: The Data Management Plan is required for Phase 1 submissions and is not to exceed two pages.
• Proposal Submission: Offerors can submit proposals via Kiteworks for large files. The government has updated the RFP to clarify how to substantiate acceptance of deliverables when formal acceptance is not provided.

Several sections of the solicitation have been updated based on these questions, including the PWS language regarding Key Personnel, the inclusion of the Data Management Plan, and clarifications on proposal submission methods and deliverable acceptance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 5 - Pricing Schedule_Amd 0001.xlsx", provides the pricing schedule for the opportunity. Bidders are instructed to enter their proposed year-one, fully burdened hourly labor rates and any proposed yearly escalation for successive years. The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) will automatically calculate based on these proposed rates and estimated quantities for evaluation purposes.

• Labor Categories and Levels: A comprehensive list of labor categories (e.g., Chief Systems Architect, Cloud Engineer, Data Scientist) with associated levels and estimated quantities for the TEP calculation.
• Hourly Rates: Fields for Year 1 through Year 5 hourly rates, and a 6-month extension rate.
• Total Evaluated Price (TEP): Automatically calculated based on proposed rates and estimated quantities.
• IDIQ Maximum Value: The maximum value of $49M remains unchanged regardless of the TEP.
• Incorporated Rates: Only the proposed rates (highlighted yellow fields) will be incorporated into the resultant contract's IDIQ pricing schedule.
• Yearly Escalation: A field for proposed yearly escalation percentage (marked as N/A in the provided data).

This pricing schedule is critical for bidders to understand how to structure their pricing proposals. It details the specific labor categories and levels required, and clarifies that while the TEP is for evaluation, the actual rates proposed will form the basis of the contract's pricing. Bidders must carefully input their rates into the designated fields to ensure accurate evaluation and contract formation. The document also references "Sheet: B. LCAT Descriptions" and "Sheet: C. TO1 Pricing" for further details on labor categories and Task Order 1 pricing, respectively.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) to advance weather modeling skill, maintain international leadership in numerical weather prediction, and improve the transition of research into operations. The goal is to obtain state-of-the-art software architecture, engineering, and scientific support services to maintain and expand community modeling infrastructure for robust user support and access to Earth system models.

• Develop and maintain a community modeling environment for the Unified Forecast System (UFS), including physics-based and machine learning (ML) based models.

• Facilitate innovation and accelerate research to operations (R2O) through an extramural, virtual center.

• Strengthen NOAA's ability to undertake research projects for numerical weather prediction skill.

• Provide a publicly accessible, end-to-end testing and development environment.

• Support project management, infrastructure, code management, systems integration, data management, and tracking performance and skill improvement.

• Enhance community engagement and communications, including supporting community releases and advanced user support.

• Support the development and integration of ML-based NWP models.

• Maintenance and enhancement of EPIC and its community platform.

• Successful integration of scientific innovation into UFS and operational applications.

• Continuous improvement of UFS software architecture, computational performance, and forecast skill.

• Successful community releases and capability announcements.

• Effective user support and engagement.

• Period of Performance: To be determined (TBD).

• Place of Performance: At the direction and discretion of the contractor.

• Contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens or legal residents authorized to work in the U.S.

• Contractor personnel must possess at least one form of U.S. Government-issued photo identification.

• Performance is considered Low Risk, not requiring administrator or elevated access levels.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) to advance weather modeling skill, maintain international leadership in numerical weather prediction (NWP), and improve the transition of research into operations. The primary goal is to obtain state-of-the-art software architecture, engineering, and scientific support services to maintain and expand a community modeling infrastructure for advanced Earth system models within the Unified Forecast System (UFS) framework.

Key areas of work include:

• Project Management: Developing and maintaining a Project Management Plan (PMP), Quality Control Plan (QCP), and Transition Plan. Conducting biweekly progress meetings and maintaining a risk registry.
• Infrastructure: Supporting and expanding a cross-cutting community platform (EPIC Community Portal - ECP) with CI/CD pipelines for public-facing testing and development, leveraging on-premise and cloud HPC resources.
• Code Management: Supporting and expanding platform-agnostic containerized versions of the UFS code, adhering to an open-source paradigm and facilitating research-to-operations transition.
• Systems Integration: Supporting end-to-end prototypes and continuous integration of UFS configurations and applications, including data assimilation frameworks.
• Data Management: Supporting data management for testing UFS configurations and applications.
• Performance Tracking: Supporting a framework to track improvements in UFS computational performance and forecast skill.
• Community Releases: Supporting community releases for UFS applications and components.
• User Support: Consolidating and expanding an advanced user support framework.
• Community Engagement: Supporting and updating a UFS community engagement strategy.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Supporting a community governance framework to enhance community access and co-development of the UFS.
• Machine Learning (ML) for NWP: Supporting and expanding infrastructure for data-driven NWP models using AI/ML and hybrid approaches.

Performance standards are detailed in the Performance Requirement Summary (PRS), covering aspects like PMP quality, foundational function maintenance, platform development, code management, prototype development, release support, user support, community engagement, governance participation, and ML infrastructure. Surveillance involves 100% inspection by the Program Manager (PM), Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and EPIC Program Team (EPT), with past performance reviews.

• Period of Performance: Five (5) years, with an option to extend services up to six months.

• Place of Performance: At the direction and discretion of the contractor. Local and non-local domestic travel may be required and must be approved by the COR.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price IDIQ.

• Security: Low Risk determination. Pre-screening of candidates is required. Access to NOAA facilities and computer resources may be specified in task orders.

• Key Personnel: Required to support the EPIC program on at least 50% FTE basis if fully funded under a task order.

• Deliverables: A comprehensive list of administrative and technical deliverables is outlined, including PMPs, various plans, reports, and online artifacts, with specific submission timelines and formats.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 1305M325R0014 serves to:

• Provide answers to all questions received regarding the solicitation via Attachment 6 - Questions & Answers, which is incorporated into the solicitation.
• Update the solicitation document (SF1449), Attachment 1, Attachment 2, and Attachment 5. Updates to SF1449, Attachment 1, and Attachment 2 are highlighted in yellow. Updates to Attachment 5 are detailed in Attachment 6 and are not highlighted.
• Extend the proposal submission deadline from August 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EDT to August 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

• Solicitation document (SF1449)

• Attachment 1

• Attachment 2

• Attachment 5

• Attachment 6 (Questions & Answers)

• The deadline for submitting proposals has been extended to August 15, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EDT.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 5 - Pricing Schedule.xlsx", provides the structure for bidders to submit their proposed labor rates and associated costs. It is crucial for understanding how pricing will be evaluated and incorporated into the resultant contract.

• Labor Categories and Levels: A comprehensive list of required labor categories (e.g., Chief Systems Architect, Cloud Engineer, Data Scientist) with different experience levels.
• Yearly Rates: Bidders must enter their proposed hourly labor rates for Year 1 and subsequent years, including any proposed yearly escalation percentages.
• Total Evaluated Price (TEP): The sheet includes fields for calculating the TEP based on proposed rates and estimated quantities. This TEP is solely for evaluation purposes.
• IDIQ Pricing Schedule: Only the proposed rates (highlighted in yellow) will be incorporated into the final contract's IDIQ pricing schedule. The IDIQ Maximum Value of $49M remains unchanged.
• LCAT Descriptions: A separate sheet (Sheet B) provides detailed descriptions and minimum experience requirements for each Labor Category (LCAT).
• TO1 Pricing: Sheet C requires the contractor's proposed Firm-Fixed-Price for Task Order 1, which must be consistent with the rates proposed in Sheet A.

Bidders must carefully complete this pricing schedule to accurately reflect their proposed costs. The rates entered here will directly impact the evaluation of their proposal and will form the basis of the contract's pricing structure. Understanding the distinction between TEP quantities (for evaluation) and the rates incorporated into the IDIQ schedule is critical for accurate proposal submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 4) for Solicitation # 1305M325R0014. It is used to assess a contractor's performance on a referenced contract.

• Contractor Being Evaluated: Fields for contractor name, contract number, project title, period of performance, and total funded value.
• Past Performance Reference Name & Role: Information about the specific project being referenced.
• Adjectival Rating Scale: Definitions for EXCEPTIONAL, VERY GOOD, SATISFACTORY, MARGINAL, and UNSATISFACTORY ratings.
• Performance Areas for Assessment:
  • Quality of Service
  • Schedule
  • Cost Control
  • Management (including integration, coordination, problem identification, corrective actions, proposal submittals, cooperation, and customer satisfaction)
• Recommendation: A section to indicate whether the contractor would be recommended for similar requirements in the future.
• Additional Comments: Space for further remarks.
• Signature: Field for the Past Performance Reference Signature.

Bidders will likely need to provide this questionnaire to their past performance references. The completed questionnaire will be used by the government to evaluate the bidder's past performance as part of the overall solicitation evaluation process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 3 - Technical Capability Projects.xlsx", outlines the technical capabilities required for the opportunity and provides a framework for bidders to detail their experience. It is divided into several sheets, each corresponding to a Technical Capability Area (TCP) and detailing specific definitions and tasks associated with each.

• Technical Capability Areas: The document defines key areas such as Project Management, Software Infrastructure, Configuration Management, Systems Integration, Community Release Planning, Coordination, and Support, Advanced User Support, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, and Support and development of Machine Learning (ML) and hybrid based Earth System Models (ESMs).
• Definitions and Tasks: For each capability area, detailed definitions and specific tasks are provided, outlining the expected responsibilities and activities.
• FTE Estimation: The document includes a section within each TCP sheet for bidders to indicate the estimated number of annual full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel dedicated to each function. Instructions are provided for calculating FTEs based on project duration and total level of effort.
• Supporting Document Reference: Bidders are instructed to provide supporting documentation that validates their claimed experience, including file titles, page numbers, and section numbers.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to demonstrate their technical expertise and relevant project experience. Bidders must carefully review the defined technical capabilities and tasks to align their proposals accordingly. The FTE estimation section requires bidders to quantify their resource allocation for each capability, and the supporting document reference section mandates specific evidence to validate their claims. This document directly informs the technical evaluation of proposals.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) to advance weather modeling skill, maintain international leadership in numerical weather prediction, and improve the transition of research into operations. The goal is to obtain state-of-the-art software architecture, engineering, and scientific support services to maintain and expand community modeling infrastructure for Earth system models, including physics-based and machine learning (ML) based models.

Key areas of work include:

• Facilitating innovation and accelerating research to operations through an extramural, virtual center.
• Enabling collaboration among scientists and engineers to improve numerical weather prediction skill.
• Strengthening NOAA's ability to undertake research projects for advancements in numerical weather prediction.
• Utilizing and leveraging existing NOAA resources.
• Advancing and creating community weather research modeling systems that are publicly accessible and meet end-user requirements.
• Continuous integration and development of community-modeling environments with partners.
• Supporting the Unified Forecast System (UFS) and its associated applications and components.
• Enhancing the EPIC Community Portal (ECP) and related infrastructure.
• Supporting the development and integration of Machine Learning (ML) for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP).

Performance standards are detailed in Section 11 (Performance Requirement Summary - PRS) and cover aspects such as:

• Project Management Plan (PMP) adherence.

• Maintenance and enhancement of foundational EPIC functions.

• CI/CD pipeline uptime and test pass rates.

• Automated build and build-testing framework success.

• Cloud sandbox availability and compliance.

• UFS-WM software process improvements.

• Community modeling infrastructure availability and functionality.

• Code and repository management adherence.

• Integration of community code and repository management.

• Continuous Integration (CI) team coordination.

• Development and integration of specific components (e.g., CICE).

• Data management framework compliance.

• Release coordination and capability announcements.

• User support forum management.

• Tutorial and instructional material development.

• Documentation updates.

• Community engagement strategy execution.

• EPIC Community Portal (ECP) support and enhancement.

• Hosting of workshops (UIFCW).

• Presentation of scientific and technical outcomes.

• Period of Performance: To be reflected directly in the CLINs on the SF1449.

• Place of Performance: At the direction and discretion of the contractor.

• Contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens or have established legal residence in the U.S. and be authorized to work in the U.S.

• Contractor personnel must possess at least one form of U.S. Government-issued photo identification.

• Performance is considered "Low Risk" and does not require administrator or elevated access levels.

• Travel, both local and non-local, is anticipated and must be approved by the COR at least 10 business days in advance.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) order with a cost-reimbursable CLIN for Other Direct Costs (ODCs).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) to advance weather modeling skill, maintain international leadership in numerical weather prediction, and improve the transition of research into operations. The goal is to obtain services to maintain and expand a community modeling infrastructure for advanced Earth system models and applications within the Unified Forecast System (UFS).

The contractor will facilitate innovation and accelerate research to operations through an extramural, virtual center. Key activities include:

• Leveraging the Weather Enterprise to identify and remove barriers to improving numerical weather prediction.
• Enabling collaboration among scientists and engineers for model development, data assimilation, systems architecture, and computational efficiencies.
• Strengthening NOAA's ability to conduct research for advancements in numerical weather prediction.
• Utilizing existing NOAA resources.
• Advancing and creating community weather research modeling systems that are publicly accessible, meet end-user requirements, and utilize cloud-based capabilities.

The contractor will continuously integrate and develop the community-modeling environment, improving the Research to Operations and Operations to Research (R2O2R) process. This includes physics-based and data-driven (Machine Learning) methods, spanning local to global domains and predictive time scales from sub-hourly to seasonal.

Tasks include Project Management (including Kickoff Meeting, Project Management Plan, Quality Control Plan, Transition Plan, Biweekly Progress Meetings), sustaining EPIC's foundational functions, enhancing the community platform and code management framework, supporting UFS prototypes and integration, planning UFS releases, coordinating user support, and engaging the community. Deliverables include various plans, reports, online artifacts, and documentation as detailed in Section 5 and 7.

• Period of Performance: Five (5) years, with an option to extend services up to six months.

• Place of Performance: At the direction and discretion of the contractor.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price IDIQ.

• Security Requirements: Low Risk. Contractor personnel must meet defined eligibility requirements. Foreign National guests require advance notice for access to NOAA facilities.

• Key Personnel: IDIQ level Key Personnel are required to be fully funded under a task order.

• Travel: Local and non-local domestic travel may be required and must be approved by the COR at least 10 business days in advance.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a single-award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to support the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Weather Program Office (WPO). The RFP is issued pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 15, Contracting by Negotiation, in conjunction with FAR Subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The objective is to advance weather modeling skill, reclaim and maintain international leadership in numerical weather prediction, and improve the transition of research into operations.

• The contractor shall provide all services identified in the IDIQ Performance Work Statement (PWS) and as specified on individual task orders.

• Services are for advancing weather modeling skill, reclaiming and maintaining international leadership in numerical weather prediction, and improving the transition of research into operations.

• Contract Type: IDIQ with firm-fixed-price task orders.

• Period of Performance: April 26, 2026, to April 25, 2031.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but minimum order is $25,000 and maximum order is $49.9M.

• Proposals will be evaluated in two phases using an Advisory Down-Select process.

• Phase 1 requires: Cover Letter, Volume I - Technical Capability, and Volume V - Compliance Items.

• Phase 2 requires: Cover Letter, Volume II - Technical Approach, Volume III - Past Performance, and Volume IV - Pricing Submission.

• Evaluation Factors (in descending order of importance): Technical Capability, Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price.

• Award will be made on a best-value trade-off basis.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Questions Due: July 17, 2025
  • Phase 1 Submission Due: August 12, 2025

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) clauses.

• Offerors must register and utilize FedConnect® for contract administration.

• The solicitation includes specific instructions regarding proposal format, page limitations, and submission requirements.