66 -- Dual Channel Radar Acquisition Subsystem for Doppler Weather Radar Application

In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ National Severe Storms Laboratory (NOAA/NSSL) to negotiate with Sigmet, Inc., located at Woodland Park, 2 Park Drive, Suite 1, Westford, Massachusetts for a Dual Channel Radar Data Acquisition Subsystem for Doppler Weather Radar Application. BACKGROUND: In support of the National Weather Service (NWS), NSSL seeks to build an experimental transportable X-band radar and implement dual-polarization and Doppler capabilities to study effectiveness of small wavelength radars in observing weather phenomena. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract to be negotiated is for a 150 day performance period. SOLE SOURCE: NOAA/NSSL has determined that Sigmet, Inc. is the only contractor that can satisfy three existing requirements or constraints. First, the system must provide a backup system for the existing Sigmet hardware in the research WSR-88D radar. Because the WSR-88D radars were designed and built for the Government under design specifications, and they all are owned and operated by NWS, the radars contain unique hardware. Sigmet hardware is used for the operation in the WSR-88D radar, and NWS is retrofitting the WSR-88D radar fleet with the Sigmet equipment. It is imperative that NWS and NSSL retain backup equipment to avoid lengthy downtimes due to equipment malfunction during severe weather, and Sigmet is the only source of equipment that can serve as backup on the research WSR-88D radar. Second, the data acquisition system must be compatible for portable X-band dual polarized Doppler weather radar. This type radar also is not commercially available. Therefore, NSSL must acquire the Sigmet data acquisition component and develop interface hardware and software to integrate it into the operational radar system, which, as just described, is unique to NWS and NSSL. Third, the subsystem must provide a platform for rapid prototyping of experiments using an existing phased array Doppler radar that is used in the National Weather Radar Testbed. The data acquisition system component of the phased array radar is not compatible with the WSR-88D radar. However, the Sigmet equipment can be adapted for short-term use in research with these tools. In addition, varying NSSL’s research and test equipment from equipment used by the NWS would compromise the integrity of programs developed by NSSL and the compatibility and transferability of such programs with NWS’s fleet of WSR-88D radars. Accordingly, Sigmet is the only one responsible source for the data acquisition subsystem. This is not a formal solicitation. This notice may represent the only notice. See numbered note 22.