This publication serves as notice of intent to procure precipitation gauges for the U. S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division (ATDD). The government intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to Geonor, Inc., P.O. Box 903, Milford, PA 18337-0903.
The government intends to issue a fixed price contract under the authority of FAR Part 13, 106-1(b). A modernized U.S. Historical Climatology Network is an integrated surface-observing network whose data provide climate. weather, and water information to measure and monitor at a contributing to multiple uses: protect life and property; preserve and extend the climate record minimum atmospheric essential climate variables (surface air temperature and precipitation) of the United States; monitor climate variability and change at a regional level; and provide quality data to the Nation's hydrometeorological forecast, warning, and numerical modeling programs. USHCN-M data are derived from sensors whose siting, exposure, and maintenance adhere to the GCOS Ten Climate Monitoring Principles. USHCN-M ensures the integrity and fidelity of the Nation's regional climate record by modernizing 1,000 USHCN stations. This requirement is for a commercially available, high accuracy, high-precision weighing type precipitation gauge with a data logger compatible output for use in NOAA's HCNM network. A weighting-type gauge is needed because of its better accuracy at very high precipitation rates. Precipitation rate and accumulation are key climate variables, and must be measured very accurately under a wide range of conditions. At present, Geonor is the only known source of weighing bucket gauge that can make three (3) independent measurements and has been well characterized under all climate conditions that is suitable for climate quality data, and is approved by the HCN Pilot Program Science and Engineering Panels. The use of three (3) independent sensors are necessary for the following reasons: 1) Reduced down-time and maintenance costs. If one sensor fails the additional sensors can provide data allowing repair to wait for its regularly scheduled visit; 2) A measure of the uncertainly in the observed value. Individual observations can't provide assessments of their own uncertainty. It is only when multiple independent observations are made that such determinations can be made ; and 3) A robust metric to assess instrument drift or related problems. Because of local-scale weather variability, using a neighboring station to identify instrument drift would require many months for rather large (from a climatological perspective) errors or many years for a small error. With multiple instrumentation at the same location, instrument drift can be detected within hours. With three independent instruments, the sensor with the problem can be reliably determined so readings from that sensor can be removed from the data stream. However, all responses received within two (2) days after date of publication of this notice may be considered by the government. Responses can be faxed to Patsy Ybarra at (816) 274-6965 or sent via email to [email protected]. A determination by the government not to compete the acquisitions based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

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