NOAA NOS NGS Aerial Camera Systems

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division, on behalf of the National Ocean Service (NOS), National Geodetic Survey (NGS) for market research purposes. The government is seeking to identify potential sources for an anticipated procurement of Phase One aerial camera systems and associated software and warranties. This is not a Request for Quote or a commitment to contract.

Firms must demonstrate capability to provide the following:

• Phase One PAS 880 1st Generation Multi-Spectral Aerial Camera Systems
• Phase One PAS 880 2nd Generation Multi-Spectral Aerial Camera Systems
• Phase One RGB iXM-RS150F Cameras
• Mission Planning and Flight Management Software
• Platinum hardware and software maintenance and licensing

Responses should demonstrate that the firm is licensed by the manufacturer to sell and support these products. Standard brochures are not sufficient. Submitted responses must include:

• Company name and address
• SAM Unique Entity Identification Number
• Company size in relation to NAICS Code 333310 (Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing, small business size standard 1,000 employees), including socio-economic designations (e.g., small, 8(a), veteran-owned, HUBZone, etc.)
• Point of contact (name, phone, email)
• Current GSA contract number and schedule, or other Government-wide Acquisition Contract, if applicable
• Explanation of capability to provide the specified equipment, hardware, software, and warranties

NAICS Code: 333310, Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing. Small business size standard: 1,000 employees. The government is specifically interested in identifying small businesses and socio-economic sources.

Responses are requested by May 1, 2026, 11:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). Submit responses via email to Kirstin Bryant (Kirstin.Bryant@noaa.gov) with a copy to Nicole Lawson (Nicole.Lawson@noaa.gov).

A draft Statement of Need is attached for reference. Responses should not exceed two pages. No feedback will be provided on responses, and information received will be used solely for market research to inform potential procurement decisions. Responses are not offers and do not form a binding contract.

Statement of Need

To procure upgrades for existing Applanix Digital Sensor Systems (DSS) for the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) to acquire high-resolution aerial imagery for the Coastal Mapping Program. This imagery is crucial for maintaining accurate nautical charts, supporting safe navigation, and aiding emergency response efforts.

• Upgrade existing DSS systems with new hardware, full-service support, comprehensive maintenance, and updated software licensing.
• Provide two complete emergency response camera systems and four standalone cameras.
• The systems must be capable of collecting aerial imagery data that can be ingested into geospatial exploitation software.

Phase One PAS880 1st Generation Multi-Spectral Aerial Camera System Requirements:

• One fully integrated Red-Green-Blue (RGB) nadir camera (equivalent to iXM-RS280F).
• One Near-Infrared (NIR) nadir camera (equivalent to iXM-RS150F).
• Four fully integrated RGB oblique cameras (equivalent to iXM-RS150F) for true orthomosaics and digital surface models.
• NIR camera must support a long-pass cut-off filter of at least 830nm.
• Operator console and pilot display with necessary cabling and peripherals.
• Field of View (FOV): Minimum 40-degree.
• Minimum Camera Cycle Time: 1 second for RGB and NIR.
• Stabilized Mount: Integrated gyro-stabilized aircraft mount.
• Field Replaceable Components.
• Integrated Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Measurement Unit (GNSS/IMU) with specific data rates and tracking capabilities.
• Data Storage: Hot-swappable solid state drive.
• Resolution: Capable of 0.25-0.50 feet at 3,500 ft AGL and 0.80-foot at 10,500 ft AGL.

Phase One PAS880 2nd Generation Multi-Spectral Aerial Camera System Requirements:

• Upgrade of iXM-RS150F modules to iXM-RS250 sensors and upgrade of one iXM-RS280F to equivalent of 2nd gen iXM-RS280F or iXM-RS250F nadir camera, and one NIR camera equivalent to iXM-RS150F.
• Similar requirements as 1st Gen regarding NIR filter, operator/pilot displays, FOV, cycle time, stabilized mount, field replaceable components, GNSS/IMU, data storage, and resolution.

RGB Standalone Camera Requirements:

• Four Phase One RGB iXM-RS150F Cameras (minimum 150MP).
• FOV: Minimum 40-degree.
• Minimum Camera Cycle Time: 1 second.
• Resolution: 0.50 feet at 3,500 ft AGL and 0.80-foot at 10,500 ft AGL.

System Software Requirements:

• Mission Planning Software (user-defined GSD/altitude, end-lap/side-lap, various flight plan types).
• Flight Line Management (editing and drawing flight lines).
• Flight Management Software (FMS) with Intervalometer and Imagery Collection functionalities.
• Real-time Monitoring and Image Quality Control.
• Real-time Imagery Review.

Post-Processing Software and Supporting File Requirements:

• Full System Calibration Report (System Setup, Lens Terrestrial Calibration, Camera Boresight Calibration).

• System Output Files (Raw Imagery Data in IIQ format, GNSS/POS data, Event files).

• Band Stacking capability.

• The vendor shall provide a pathway for upgrading the PAS880 1st Generation System to the 2nd Generation equivalent.

• Written confirmation of future sensor interchangeability, compatibility of cabling/power/software/mechanical interfaces, and compatibility of iXM-RS250 sensors with Applanix direct georeferencing and NGS workflows.

• Details on upgrade turnaround times, shipping requirements, and software license updates.

• One full year of Platinum hardware and software maintenance, licensing, and support included upon delivery.

• Four additional option years for maintenance, licensing, and support.

• Support includes online access, maintenance of iX-Suite, firmware, and Applanix.

• Includes free repairs (excluding user-inflicted damage), proactive shutter replacement, and free replacement of failed consumables.

• Uptime support with on-site response or loaner equipment.

• Specific warranties and support for various components (iXM, Lenses, Controller, IMU, MK6, SOMAG).

• Vendor must have a US-based service center for maintenance and support, with a 24-hour resolution goal for technical issues. Loaner systems or replacement parts will be provided if issues cannot be resolved on-site.