Inactive

This is a Sources Sought synopsis. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government will not pay for any ... This is a Sources Sought synopsis. This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this announcement. No basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this Sources Sought or Government use of any information provided. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTICES The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is not accepting proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information shall be included in your response to this Sources Sought. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to improve the understanding of Government requirements and industry capabilities. This allows potential offerors to participate and provide information on how they can satisfy the Government's requirements. Responses will assist the Government in determining the availability of potential solutions in the marketplace. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor SAM.gov for additional information pertaining to this requirement. For information regarding this acquisition, contact the Contracting Officials listed herein. This exchange of information must be consistent with procurement integrity requirements (See FAR 3.104). Interested parties include potential offerors, end users, Government acquisition and supporting personnel, and others involved in the conduct or outcome of the acquisition. GENERAL SCOPE OF THE REQUIREMENT The contemplated requirement is for Strategic Advising Support Services (SASS) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Office of Projects, Planning, and Analysis (OPPA). OPPA requires impartial and objective support for advanced planning, systems engineering, and acquisition activities. The analytical support required is in direct support to NOAA’s Observing Systems Council, NOAA’s Senior Leadership, and NOAA’s collaboration with other Federal Agencies and external groups. OPPA requires experienced systems engineering support for all phases of OPPA satellite projects, and assistance with monitoring and reporting progress and conformance to appropriate practices and specifications. In addition, strategic advising services are required for the establishment of the Space Weather Observations (SWO) portfolio, which will include a joint NOAA-NASA program office for space-based projects. The engagement of impartial and objective experts is essential to ensure that the development of this new portfolio not be marred by organizational and consultant conflicts of interest. Support is also required for the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite – Hosted Payload Solution Satellite (Argos-HoPS) progam, Meteorological Operational Satellite (MetOp), and new technology efforts such as Solar Sails and low earth orbit demonstration satellites. Continuation of support in these areas will provide essential continuity of support for NOAA and its international partners in the Argos-HoPS and MetOp programs. The anticipated period of performance will be from September 20, 2022 through September 19, 2023. The OPPA SASS will require support under the following task areas: 1.) Task Order Management Submit monthly cost / technical progress reports on the 15th day following the close of the reporting month and will include a summary of any trips taken during the reporting month. Provide task management plans, nondisclosure agreements, and personnel security forms. 2.) Technical Management Support Provide technical engineering for the set of subtasks below: Provide expert advice for systems engineering which support the assigned satellite project across mission, spacecraft, instrument suite, and ground components Provide expert advice which support the development of mission, spacecraft, observatory and recommendations for systems engineering requirements. Assist with recommendations in the generation and evaluation of related documentation Provide recommendations which support the definition of spacecraft / observatory / subsystems, trade studies, integration and test planning, and operations planning for the future OPPA mission(s) Provide expert advice which support the development of interface control documents and verifying proper implementation for instruments, space and ground segments Provide support in monitoring and controlling; expert advice for external interface documents Review project documentation and submit comments and recommendations Support preparation of and present technical information for technical meetings / reviews / briefings Provide recommendations for hardware and software build and integration plans, procedures and witness execution Review and provide assessment of contractor cost, schedule and technical performance Provide recommendations and expert advice for, testing and implementing the project ground segment, mission operations center, communication networks, science data processing and storage Participate in Test / Failure Review Boards Provide recommendations for shipment of the Observatory and GSE to the launch site Provide research and assessment of the launch site checkout, integration and test of flight and ground systems, including adequacy of the launch site facility Attend and participate in program status meetings, telephone conferences, peer reviews, and major project reviews for spacecraft, instruments, launch vehicle, mission operations system, and science data system. Provide recommendations for responses to, and in closing, requests for action from major system, subsystem, peer reviews and working groups Provide recommendations for project waivers and deviations Provide recommendations for lessons learned presentations post launch Provide recommendations for written and oral reports Provide Space Weather studies and document technical findings (i.e. UCLA, Space Sciences) 3.) Procurement Support and Evaluation Support requirements definition, flow down, validation and verification. An evaluation and recommendation of any Satellite Tool Kit modules to be leased. Procurement support activities as required by the COR. 4.) Strategic Management Support Provide Strategic Management support in advising and developing OPPA’s many projects/programs and initiatives. Strategic Management support will be primarily put to use on NOAA’s new Space Weather Observations (SWO) portfolio and a joint NOAA-NASA program office for space-based projects in the SWO portfolio. This support is to include critical assessments of advanced planning, systems engineering, acquisition activities and approaches, space weather architecture studies and trade spaces, and identifying promising areas of technology initiatives to meet NOAA’s space and ground mission objectives. 5.) Evaluation and Audit For OPPA programs: Identify risk elements, assess and recommend mitigations, support mitigation execution and participate in the Satellite/Instrument Risk Board. Review and evaluate detailed functional and environmental test plans and procedures for instrument, space and ground segments and witness test execution SOURCES SOUGHT RESPONDENTS Sources intending to respond to this posting should thoroughly review the aforementioned and submit the following information: 1. Identification of your firm's business size and identification of your firm’s CAGE Code and UEI number. 2. Capability statements should reveal your firm’s presence (if any) on Government-Wide Contract Vehicles (e.g. NASA SEWP, GSA Advantage, etc.) that can support the OPPA SASS requirement. 3. Capability statements expressing your firm’s interest in this requirement, describing your company and its capability to meet the minimum requirements stated in this post with a description of your proposed services and/or supplies that would meet the requirements. Interested parties should provide sufficient detailed information, which demonstrates the capability of the proposed solution. Companies are also requested to describe their strategies for mitigating any organizational conflicts of interests consistent with FAR Subpart 9.5. RESPONSE TIME Please send your submission via email to the attention of Contracting Officer (CO) Gabriela Bravo (e-mail: gabriela.bravo@noaa.gov) no later than August 10, 2022 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Please include OPPA-SASS-2022 in the subject line of your submission. The response shall be no more than five (5) single-sided, single-spaced pages, and use a minimum font of 12-point Times NewRoman on 8 ½ x 11- inch paper. Each page should be separately numbered.