R -- AIRBORNE MEASUREMENTS

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Aeronomy Laboratory (AL) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis a contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with the University of Miami to provide airborne measurements to characterize sources and distributions of reactive organic trace gases in the Houston region. During the summer of 2006, a coordinated study of air quality in the Houston, TX region is being organized by NOAA that will offer the opportunity to examine the sources, distribution, transport and chemical transformations of oxidants and fine particles around the Northeastern US. The work proposed here will be to expand the capability of planned air sampling and analysis to more fully evaluate the upwind and near source trace gas signatures that have the greatest direct impact on air quality in the Houston urban area and the surrounding regions. The first stage of this work is to redesign the current whole air sampler that has been flown in different mechanical configurations on the NOAA WP-3D in past campaigns. The approach during the Houston 2006 campaign is to collect and analyze air samples from the NOAA WP-3D aircraft for a wide range of organic trace gases, including non-methane hydrocarbons, a variety of halocarbons including solvents, CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, methyl halides, etc., selected sulfur species, and a series of C1 – C5 alkyl nitrates. The focus of the work will be on the upwind and near source areas of the study. The analyses will be conducted in a laboratory set up at the University of Miami. The University of Miami is uniquely qualified to perform these tasks because the principal investigator and his research team have developed the unique automated whole air sampling capability specifically for the NOAA WP-3D aircraft that is required for this project. In addition, they are experts in the analytical protocols and subsequent data analysis of trace gas data in the context of airborne research missions. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (Under $100,000). Questions should be submitted in writing to the contracting officer either by fax or email. 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. Anticipated award date will be June 10, 2005.