Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Network Modernization & Management Paradigm Analysisview on SAM.gov

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 (Market Research) , the DOC, NOAA, NWS is conducting market research to determine the capabilities, commerciality, and competitive landscape of the market, specifically targeting qualified Small Business concerns (including 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Businesses). This market research will assist the NWS in defining its acquisition strategy for the wholesale modernization, technology refresh, and operational support of the Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) . The NWS is evaluating the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and data continuity risks associated with blending three distinct management paradigms across approximately 6,700 highly distributed surface observation sites: Government-Owned, Government-Operated (GO-GO) [Current State]: Hardware is federally procured and maintained directly by NWS personnel. Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GO-CO): Standard hardware is federally procured, but field installation, preventive maintenance, and emergency restorative services are outsourced to a commercial provider. Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated (CO-CO) / "Data-as-a-Service" (DaaS): The NWS does not own hardware or manage field logistics; instead, it subscribes to quality-controlled, climatological-grade data streams from commercial or state-level mesonet operators. This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposals, bids, or quotes. No contract will be awarded directly from this notice, and the Government will not pay for any information submitted in response.