Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer Calibration

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Prosensing Inc. for the calibration of two ProSensing Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometers (SFMR) for the Aircraft Operations Center in MacDill AFB, FL. A Sources Sought Notice was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website on March 25, 2014 and closed on April 4, 2014. No responses were received The calibration service includes: 1. A full system checkup and all the necessary calibration work to bring the SFMR back to operational specification. 2. The lab and sky calibration of the SFMR after the SFMR is performing to the specification. 3. Testing of all associated thermistors within the unit to ensure that the final calibration equation considers all thermistor values. 4. One-time verification of the SFMR performance based on the data collected in a verification and calibration flight with the SFMR over a buoy. 5. Agreed upon calibration coefficients to the latest SFMR4.cfg configuration file used by the Aircraft Operations Center. 6. A calibration equation in the form of attached calibration sheet using the coefficients from the current calibration. 7. A quote for repairs if any are required. Justification for Sole Source ProSensing Inc designed and built the Aircraft Operations Center Step Frequency Microwave Radiometers. As the designer and manufacturer, they have unique experience in troubleshooting, calibrating, and modifying these units. ProSensing possesses proprietary drawings, engineering data and software that is specific to this unit. Because of the need for proprietary information such as Schematic Diagrams, Knowledge of System Theory of Operation and calibration data and requirements, there would not be another company that could provide this service for NOAA. The SFMR processor is specifically designed to operate an SFMR radiometer. It is a single purpose component. The SFMR processor design and specification is ProSensing's proprietary property. ProSensing is the ONLY manufacturer/supplier of an SFMR processor. The Step Frequency Microwave Radiometer is considered a primary instrument in calculating surface wind speed and rain rate in a tropical environment. Storm Forecasters and hurricane research teams rely heavily on this data to accurately forecast a tropical storms predicted path and intensity. Lacking an accurate calibration of this instrument will likely cause inaccurate storm forecasts resulting in significant injury the US Government.