National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Southern Regional Weather Records Center (SRWRC)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the Southern Regional Weather Records Center (SRWRC) 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 them into requirements for future products and services. The work involves transforming NOAA's data and expertise into regionally-tailored products and services.

• Provide products and services to address regional weather records needs.

• Leverage NOAA's capabilities to transform satellite, in situ, radar, and paleoclimate data.

• Deliverables will be further defined at the task order level.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price (FFP) IDIQ

• Period of Performance: September 17, 2026, to September 16, 2031 (five-year base ordering period).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) with a size standard of $19.5 million is provided.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 17, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email.

• Evaluation will be based on a best-value tradeoff process, considering 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. These non-price factors, combined, are significantly more important than evaluated price.

• The Government reserves the right to award without discussions.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and CAR clauses covering various aspects of contract performance, including security, data management, labor, and reporting.

• Key attachments include the IDIQ Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Task Order 1 PWS.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Southern Regional Weather Records Center (SRWRC) IDIQ contract. The SRWRC's primary goal is to support the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) mission by providing regional environmental data, products, and services, and by translating user needs into actionable requirements.

• Geographic Scope: The contract covers the SRWRC region, which includes TN, MS, LA, AR, OK, and TX. The contractor must be physically located within this region and serve all states, territories, and U.S.-affiliated islands.

• Program Scope: The SRWRC will provide products and services to address regional weather records needs by leveraging NOAA's capabilities. This involves transforming satellite, in situ, radar, and paleoclimate data into regionally-tailored products and services. The work is divided into four main areas:

  1. Regional engagement and user needs identification.
  2. Needs prioritization and product/tool provision, including contributing to NCEI's requirements collection.
  3. Transitioning tools, products, and services to sustained NCEI operational states.
  4. Sustaining services that support the SRWRC mission and other NCEI regional/national needs.

• Data Product Areas: Services and products will support existing NCEI Data Product Areas and NESDIS Products/Product Areas, including but not limited to Climate Reports, Surface Air Properties, Drought, Paleoclimatology, Regional Climate, Precipitation, Atmospheric Composition, Temperature, Water Vapor, Clouds, Lightning, Radiation Budget, Tropical Cyclone Characteristics, Ocean Climate, Space Weather, and more.

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

• The contractor must safeguard information against unauthorized disclosure.

• All Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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

• Place of Performance: Within the specified SRWRC geographic region.

• Key Personnel: A SRWRC Director with a PhD (or equivalent experience) in Earth/Environmental Sciences and significant direct experience is required. This individual is the primary point of contact and has full authority for the contract.

• Personnel Security: Contractor personnel will be screened according to Moderate Risk contract requirements.

• Training: Mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response training is required for all contractor employees, with initial training within 30 business days of task order award and annual training thereafter.

• Deliverables: Key deliverables include SASH Prevention Training (annually by March 1st) and a Transition Plan (annually, three months prior to each contract period of performance expiration). All deliverables are to be sent to the RCS PM, CO, and COR.

• Reporting: The SRWRC Director is responsible for planning, directing, overseeing, and reporting on the status of all task orders.

• Collaboration: The SRWRC must collaborate with other RWRCs, NOAA programs, and NOAA partners, and avoid duplication of effort.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Southern Regional Weather Records Center (SRWRC) Task Order 1, focusing on providing regional long-term weather records, data, products, and services to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

• Synthesize Regional Weather Records, Data and Information: Produce monthly environmental monitoring reports for public release, including regional overviews of temperature, precipitation, drought statistics, weather impacts (e.g., crop conditions, reservoir levels), and historical weather events. Compile and synthesize seasonal-scale weather-related impact and outlook information quarterly. Produce annual "State of the Region" environmental monitoring summaries and contribute to NCEI monitoring of sub-monthly environmental events.

• Support Adjudication of Possible New Weather Records: Assist in assessing the legitimacy of extraordinary weather observations identified as potential new records.

• Maintain and Deliver Inventory Information: Maintain an inventory of research and sustained products and services, including maturity assessments and documentation.

• Track User Inquiries, Access, Downloads and Use of RWRC Resources: Document and respond to customer inquiries, update user needs in NCEI's database, and track downloads and service requests. Implement processes for tracking product and service distribution and use.

• Regional Services Requirements: Meet regional theme requirements (Water Resources, Coastal Resiliency, Transportation), propose annual theme changes, provide products and services to support private and public sectors, assess user needs, and convene regional constituent workshops. Identify opportunities to increase awareness and use of NCEI, NESDIS, and NOAA environmental data.

• Transition RWRC Developments to NCEI Operational State: Support the transition of mature SRWRC products, tools, and services to NCEI sustainment.

• Additional Regional Service Requirement: Provide products and services for additional government-designated sectors or weather-related issues, potentially in collaboration with other RWRCs.

• National Capabilities to Support Regional Needs: Maintain a web-based system for error reporting and tracking in NCEI datasets and products, and provide monthly status reports.

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

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

• Geographic Scope: Southern Region, including TN, MS, LA, AR, OK, TX.

• Response to customer inquiries within one business day.

• Monthly updates to NCEI requirements collection database.

• Tracking of downloads and service requests.

• Timely delivery of reports and deliverables as per specified schedules.

• Error reporting and tracking system maintenance.

• Monthly status reports to NCEI.

• Transition plans submitted within 3 months of contract expiration.

• Deliverables to be submitted to a common government directory with email notification.

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

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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire designed to gather feedback from references on an Offeror's 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):

• Name of the company being evaluated.
• Name, address, and contact information of the company providing the evaluation.
• Project Information, including:
  • Contract Number, Title/Location, Date of Award, Project Title/Location
  • Work Description (emphasizing similarities/relevance to the current solicitation, specific requirements, location, and complexity)
  • Contract Type, Price, Completion Dates
  • Type of client (Commercial, Federal, Local/City/State Gov't)

Part 2 (Reference/Evaluator):

• Evaluation of the Offeror's performance across various categories using a rating scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory).

• Categories include:

  • Successful Performance of Contract Requirements
  • Quality and Timeliness of Delivery
  • Effective Management of Subcontractors
  • Cost Control
  • Level of Communication
  • Proactive Management (Staffing, Key Personnel)
  • Customer Satisfaction

• Specific questions regarding contract options, discrepancies, and terminations.

• A section for remarks to provide explanations for ratings, especially for Exceptional, Marginal, or Unsatisfactory assessments.

• 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 by 1:00 PM (EDT) on June 17, 2026.

• The email subject line must be: "1332KP26R0027 – Past Performance Questionnaire Submission for ".

• Responses should be factual and accurate. Explanatory narratives are required for specific ratings.

This questionnaire is critical for potential bidders to demonstrate their past performance. Bidders must ensure they provide comprehensive and relevant information in Part 1 and select appropriate references who can provide detailed and favorable feedback in Part 2. The quality of the completed questionnaire directly impacts the evaluation of the Offeror's past performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

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

• Overview: Describes NCEI's mission and the organization of value-added products into Product Areas, with this DMP specific to the Regional Climate Data Product Area.
• Data Description: Details the six RCCs and the types of climate data products they produce and serve, including Applied Climate Web Services, Automated Weather Dataset, Climate and Forecast Perspectives, Climate and Health, Climate Data Collection (WxCoder), Climate Data Quality Control (Datzilla), Climate Tools for Agriculture, Extremes, Freeze/Thaw, Regional Climate Summaries and Webinars, Regional Mesonet Products, Regional Winter Weather, and Vegetation Impact Products.
• Data Collection & Coverage: Specifies temporal and geographic coverage, data types (primarily digital numeric data, Level 4 - Derived Products), and data collection methods (e.g., in situ networks, NWS Cooperative Observer Network, automated weather stations).
• Data Management & Access: Outlines data documentation standards (ISO 19115), metadata hosting (NCEI and RCCs), data access methods (HTTPS, THREDDS, LAS, etc.), and data preservation and protection measures.
• 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 detailed information about the climate data products managed by NCEI and its regional partners. Bidders interested in opportunities related to climate data analysis, services, or infrastructure may find this document useful for understanding the scope, types of data available, data sources, and data management practices within this product area. It helps to understand the existing data ecosystem and how data is collected, processed, and made accessible.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the Regional Weather Records Centers (RWRC) Support Services contract. It outlines the Government's methods for ensuring the contractor performs in accordance with the contract's performance metrics and requirements. Bidders should review this plan to understand how their performance will be monitored and evaluated.

• Government Roles: Identifies the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), their responsibilities, and contact information.
• Contractor Responsibilities: Outlines the contractor's obligation to perform all necessary project management functions.
• Performance Standards: Defines desired services and how contractor performance will be measured against Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs).
• 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, performance standards, AQLs, and methods of surveillance for various tasks, including providing reports, summaries, inventories, and organizing workshops.
• Performance Areas: Assesses Quality of Product/Service, Schedule, Business Relations, Management, and Other Important Areas.
• Ratings: Defines performance ratings (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory).
• Documenting Performance: Describes the process for addressing acceptable and unacceptable performance, including the use of Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs).

This QASP is critical for bidders to understand the performance expectations and evaluation criteria for the contract. It details the specific standards, metrics, and surveillance methods the Government will use to assess contractor performance. Familiarity with this plan will help bidders develop a proposal that addresses these requirements and understand the ongoing management of the contract if awarded.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment J-7, the "RWRC Question and Comment Template." It is provided for offerors to submit questions or comments regarding the solicitation.

• Offeror Name
• Question Number
• Document (referencing the specific document the question pertains to)
• Page Number
• Section
• Paragraph
• Question / Comment

Bidders must use this template to formally submit any questions or comments they have about the solicitation documents or requirements. This structured format ensures that all necessary information is provided for the government to understand and respond to the inquiry.