A -- IVR MODIFICATION

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Weather Service (NWS) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1), with Frank Solutions, Inc. (FSI) for modification and upgrade to the Interactive Voice Remote Observation System (IV-ROCS). This custom computer system collects, assimilates, and distributes daily weather observations from NWS Southern Region cooperative network of volunteers. FSI was responsible for development of and provides maintenance for the current IV-ROCS. Modification and upgrades include:1. Modify current software to use the Windows 2000 operating system clock to control the hourly Export function. 2. Modify system so the FTP export function to the remote NWS AWIPS system is fully integrated into the IVR software. This enhancement shall include a GUI to change FTP user login name, IP address and password programmed into the IVR software for connection to the FTP host. FTP export functionality shall be transparent during automatic fail-over. 3. Enhance current IV-ROCS system to allow e-mail notification to multiple recipients at a single Weather Forecast Office (WFO). 4. Add daily automatic import functionality for extreme value defaults and add second layer of data entry quality control. 5. Add GUI interface to manage and change extreme values. Provide search, sort, and change functions by Station ID, State, WFO (CWA), Region, and Ag Division variables. 6. Enhance current system to provide observer method to input missing data (e.g. ** for missing data). 7. Re-record voice scripts at faster talking scripts. 8. Add maximum and minimum Soil Temp elements. 9. Add remaining 5 NWS regions to system. 10. Evaluate existing port usage and recommend best method to accommodate remaining 5 regions. Provide hardware to support recommendation. 11. Provide second year technical support. 12. Add River Stage element. 13. Add Reservoir elements DP (Pool), TP (Tailwater). 14. Provide method to manually fail-over for maintenance on either primary or backup system. 15. Modify midnight export (collective of all daily observations) to delineate and group observations by County Warning Area (CWA). 16. Enhance Call Summary report to include caller=s station identification number. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE 100K). FAR Clauses in full text are available at http://www.ARNET.gov/far/. Based on the market research conducted, Frank Solutions, Inc. is the only vendor who can make the necessary updates and modifications due to system development. This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/conops/reflib/alp1296. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred). Anticipated award date is September 26, 2003.