National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Midwestern Regional Weather Records Center (MRWRC)

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Midwestern Regional Weather Records Center (MRWRC) to provide products and services related to regional long-term weather records and environmental information.

• Base Services:

  • Provide monthly environmental monitoring reports for public release, including regional overviews of temperature, precipitation, drought, weather impacts (crop conditions, reservoir levels, energy demand), and historical weather events.
  • Compile and synthesize seasonal-scale weather-related impact and outlook information quarterly for non-technical audiences.
  • Produce annual "State of the Region" environmental monitoring summaries.
  • Contribute to NCEI monitoring of sub-monthly environmental events (e.g., hurricanes, heat outbreaks).
  • Support the assessment of record meteorological events.
  • Maintain an inventory of research, products, and services, including maturity assessment and documentation.
  • Track and respond to user inquiries within one business day.
  • Input monthly user needs into an NCEI requirements database.
  • Track data/product downloads and service requests, reporting summary information quarterly.
  • Implement a process for tracking further distribution and use of products and services.
  • Deliver data and information via the internet with a user-friendly web interface.

• Regional Services:

  • Meet regional theme requirements (Water Resources, Agriculture) within and outside the region, collaborating with other RWRCs.
  • Assess user needs for NOAA-relevant environmental products and services, developing and delivering a prioritized list of unmet needs.
  • Convene at least one regional constituent workshop focused on RWRC and NCEI products, user applications, and needs.
  • Engage regional constituents at least five times annually through workshops or attendance at user-group events.
  • Identify and exercise opportunities to grow awareness and use of NCEI, NESDIS, and NOAA environmental data.
  • Support the transition of mature MRWRC products, tools, and services to NCEI operational state.
  • Provide products and services for additional government-designated sectors or weather-related issues.

• Monthly and quarterly reports as specified in Table A.

• Performance reports detailing customer inquiries, partner engagement, products/services, and technical support activities.

• Timely delivery of all deliverables.

• Government acceptance period for deliverables.

• Base Period: September 17, 2026 - April 16, 2027

• Option Periods: Six option periods extending through September 16, 2031.

• Geographic Scope: Midwestern Region (KY, IN, MI, IL, WI, MO, IA, MN, OH).

• Deliverables must comply with NCEI standards and policies.

• Transition plans must be submitted within 3 months of contract expiration.

• Invoicing must be received via IPP within one week of the required Performance Report submission date.

• A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be appointed.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the Midwestern Regional Weather Records Center (MRWRC) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The purpose is to support the National Centers for Environmental Information's (NCEI) effort to understand user needs for environmental information and translate these into requirements for future products and services. The work involves providing products and services to address regional weather records needs, leveraging NOAA's capabilities to transform data into regionally-tailored products.

• The core requirements are detailed in the IDIQ Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Task Order 1 PWS, referenced as Attachments J.1 and J.2.

• Deliverables will be defined at the task order level.

• Specific requirements include IT security, data management, and adherence to scientific integrity standards.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with firm-fixed-price (FFP) task orders.

• Period of Performance: Base ordering period is September 17, 2026, through September 16, 2031 (five years).

• NAICS Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the solicitation is for a single award IDIQ.

• Proposal Due Date: June 17, 2026, by 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

• Submission Method: Electronic submission via email to specified addresses.

• Evaluation Factors: Proposals will be evaluated based on technical factors (Experience for IDIQ Contract, Technical Approach to Task Order 1, Key Personnel) and Past Performance, which are of equal importance and will be weighed equally. Non-price factors combined are significantly more important than evaluated price. Price will be evaluated but not scored.

• Oral Presentations: Required for technical and management factors.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• Offerors must submit proposals in four volumes: Business Proposal, Technical Proposal (Oral Presentation Only), Past Performance, and Price Proposal.

• Key personnel include a required MRWRC Director (TBD).

• Data sharing requirements are detailed, including submission to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

• Specific clauses regarding child labor, equal opportunity, combating trafficking in persons, and Buy American are included.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Midwestern Regional Weather Records Center (MRWRC) to provide environmental data products and services, supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) mission.

• Geographic Scope: The contract covers the Midwestern Regional Weather Records Center (MRWRC), encompassing KY, IN, MI, IL, WI, MO, IA, MN, and OH. The contractor must be physically located within this region and serve all states, territories, and U.S.-affiliated islands within it.

• Program Scope: The MRWRC will provide regionally-tailored products and services derived from NOAA's data (satellite, in situ, radar, paleoclimate) to meet user needs and promote resilience. This involves four key areas:

  1. Regional engagement and user needs identification.
  2. Prioritization and provision of products and tools, including contributions to NCEI's requirements database.
  3. Transitioning tools, products, and services to sustained NCEI operational states.
  4. Sustaining activities that support the provision of products and services.

• Supported Areas: Services and products align with NCEI Data Product Areas (e.g., Climate Reports, Surface Air Properties, Drought, Paleoclimatology) and NESDIS Product Areas (e.g., Foundational Imagery, Geophysical, Analytical).

• Collaboration: The MRWRC may engage with other NOAA programs and partners, and refer customers to State Climatologists or NWS Weather Forecast Offices for local inquiries. Engagement with the private sector and public sector entities is also included.

• The MRWRC must ensure software tool development is platform-independent and well-documented.

• Contractor personnel must undergo mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response training.

• Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) is required.

• Base Ordering Period: September 17, 2026 – September 16, 2031 (5 years).

• Place of Performance: Within the specified Midwestern region.

• Key Personnel: A MRWRC Director is required, with specific educational and experience qualifications (PhD preferred, 12+ years experience). This individual is the primary point of contact.

• Task Orders: A minimum of one task order with a minimum value of $250,000.00 will be awarded. Task orders will be firm-fixed price.

• Deliverables: Include SASH Prevention Training (annually) and Transition Plans (annually, three months prior to contract period expiration).

• Information Protection: Contractor employees must safeguard protected information (Privacy Act, proprietary) in accordance with law and government policy. A NOAA Non-Disclosure Agreement is required for access to sensitive information.

• Security: Personnel will be screened according to Moderate Risk contract requirements. No Common Access Cards (CAC) will be issued to the MRWRC Director.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) developed by the Government for the Regional Weather Records Centers (RWRC) Support Services contract. Its purpose is to ensure that systematic quality assurance methods are applied to the administration of the Performance-based Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. It aims to verify that the contractor meets performance metrics, delivers the required quality of services, and that the Government only pays for acceptable services.

• Government Roles: Outlines responsibilities of the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), including contact information.
• Contractor Representatives: Placeholder for contractor's key personnel.
• Performance Standards: Defines desired services and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) against which contractor performance will be measured.
• Methods of Surveillance: Details how the Government will monitor performance, including Partner Feedback, Director Meetings, Random Monitoring, and Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).
• QASP Table: Specifies required services (e.g., Environmental Monitoring Reports, Progress Reports, Workshop organization), their performance standards, AQLs, and surveillance methods.
• Performance Assessment Areas: Includes Quality of Product/Service, Schedule, Business Relations, Management, and Other Important Areas.
• Ratings: Defines a scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory) for evaluating performance.
• Documenting Performance: Describes procedures for addressing acceptable and unacceptable performance, including the use of Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs).
• Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) Template: A form for documenting and addressing performance issues.

This QASP is critical for bidders as it defines the performance standards and quality expectations the contractor must meet. Understanding these requirements, the surveillance methods, and the potential consequences of non-performance (including payment deductions) is essential for developing a compliant and competitive proposal. It highlights the government's approach to monitoring contract execution and ensuring service quality.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire intended for use by offerors and their references to evaluate the offeror's past performance on previous contracts. It is to be completed by both the offeror (Part 1) and the reference/evaluator (Part 2).

Part 1 (Offeror/Contractor): Requires information about the company being evaluated, the company providing the evaluation, and detailed project information including contract number, title, dates, price, contract type, and a description of work performed, highlighting similarities to the current solicitation.

Part 2 (Reference/Evaluator): Requires the evaluator to provide candid responses on the offeror's performance across various categories such as successful performance, quality and timeliness, subcontractor management, cost control, communication, proactive management, and customer satisfaction. Ratings are based on a scale from Exceptional (E) to Unsatisfactory (U). Explanatory narratives are required for Exceptional, Marginal, or Unsatisfactory ratings.

• Offerors must complete Part 1 and provide the form to their references.
• References must complete Part 2 and submit the questionnaire via email to Recarlo.Applewhite@noaa.gov and Audrey.Hogg@noaa.gov.
• The submission deadline is 1:00 PM (EDT) on June 17, 2026.
• The email subject line must be: "1332KP26R0024 – Past Performance Questionnaire Submission for ".
• Submissions must originate from a government or commercial email address.

This questionnaire is critical for potential bidders to gather and submit past performance information. It outlines the specific data points and performance areas that the government will use to evaluate an offeror's past performance. Bidders must ensure their references can provide detailed and accurate information, as this feedback directly impacts the evaluation of their proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Data Management Plan (DMP) for the NCEI Regional Climate Data Product Area. It outlines the management, documentation, and access of value-added climate data products created and served by the Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) under the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

• Data Description: Details the types of climate data and products managed, including those from the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS), Automated Weather Dataset (AWDN), Climate and Forecast Perspectives, Climate and Health resources, Climate Data Quality Control, Climate Tools for Agriculture, Extremes, Freeze/Thaw, Regional Climate Summaries and Webinars, Regional Mesonet Products, Regional Winter Weather, Sporting Events Climatologies, Station-Based Climate Data and Summaries, Tropical Weather and Impacts, and Vegetation Impact Products.
• Data Coverage: Specifies temporal (e.g., late 1940s to present, some back to 1871) and geographic (national, regional, specific states) coverage for various datasets.
• Data Types: Includes digital numeric data, Level 4 - Derived Products, and other formats.
• Data Collection Methods: Lists various methods including in situ networks (e.g., GHCN-D, NWS Cooperative Observer Network), automated weather stations, and other sources.
• Data Management: Covers data documentation standards (ISO 19115), quality control procedures, data access methods (HTTPS, THREDDS, etc.), and data preservation.
• Points of Contact: Identifies Tamara Houston (Physical Scientist, NCEI) and Jeff Privette (Division Chief, Climatic Science and Services Division) as key contacts.

This document provides insight into the types of climate data and products managed by NCEI and its regional partners. Understanding the scope, sources, and management of this data can be relevant for potential bidders interested in opportunities related to climate data services, analysis, or infrastructure. It details how data is collected, processed, quality-controlled, documented, and made accessible, which may inform proposal development for related solicitations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "RWRC Question and Comment Template" (Attachment J-7). It provides a structured format for offerors to submit questions or comments regarding the solicitation documents.

• Offeror Name: Field to enter the name of the bidding company.
• Question Number: A sequential number for each question or comment.
• Document: The specific document the question or comment pertains to.
• Page Number: The page number within the referenced document.
• Section: The section number or title within the referenced document.
• Paragraph: The specific paragraph number within the referenced section.
• Question / Comment: The space to write the actual question or comment.

This template is essential for bidders who have questions or require clarification on any aspect of the solicitation. Using this standardized form ensures that all necessary information is provided for the government to understand and respond to the inquiry effectively. It is crucial for bidders to utilize this form to submit any questions they may have before the specified deadline to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the requirements.