A -- CONTINUED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with Dr. Aaron Ridley for modification and operation of the Assimilative Mapping of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) and the Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM). These models must meet the needs of the Space Weather Re-analysis project. This project involves the integration of several extremely complex near-earth space environmental models written in multiple languages including C, FORTRAN, PERL, and Java. Dr. Ridley has been involved in the initial development and has provided maintenance for all models currently involved in this project. The primary focus for Dr. Ridley will be to extend the AMIE capabilities and integrate them with the GITM. Development on this project will also include modification and operation of AMIE; ingest and cleaning of magnetometer data; and modification and operation of GITM. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (under $100K). This notice is for information purposes 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. Terms and Conditions can be found on http://www.arnet.gov/far and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://oamweb.osec.doc.gov/CONOPS/reflib/alp1296.htm. Anticipated award date will be January 21, 2004.