The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a need to acquire advanced high performance computing systems (HPCS) to meet its operational computing requirements. The new primary and backup Weather and Climate Operational Supercomputing System (WCOSS) will replace the current operational HPCS platforms at the National Centers for Environmental Predictions (NCEP) headquartered in Camp Springs, Maryland. The new systems will help NOAA meet its strategic goals related to weather, climate, air quality, coastal and ocean resource management, and national commerce support.

The objectives of the WCOSS acquisition is to acquire a fully integrated solution to include the primary and backup WCOSS (two operational HPC systems), facilities to house the primary and backup WCOSS, HPC related services, facilities related services, balanced HPC lifecycle technology expansions/refreshes with facilities, project management (PM) services, and the capacity for growth options.

This notice and DRAFT Request For Proposal (RFP) is posted in order to seek industry comments. The Government intends to conduct an industry day in order to publically address all comments and questions regarding this draft RFP.

Questions and comments are requested in writing by 12 noon on November 30, 2010 to the contracting officer or via the project Website: http://rdhpcs.noaa.gov/wcoss. An abstract of the comments and questions along with the Government's answers will be made publicly available via the project Website: http://rdhpcs.noaa.gov/wcoss. Additional questions may be considered at any time prior to the industry day.

The Industry Day will be held:
Date: December 6, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM EST
Location: NOAA Auditorium, 1301 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910
RSVP to Ms. Adena Fritz at [email protected]

Please note the following regarding the Industry Day:

1. Limited parking is available at Montgomery County Parking Facilities http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpktmpl.asp?url=/content/dot/parking/index.asp

2. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to clear security.

3. Bring your identification

4. The closest metro stop is Silver Spring.

5. Attendance is limited to a maximum of 7 people per company. Email your attendees to [email protected] by close of business November 30, 2010.

6. Tape recorders and videos are prohibited.

7. A recording of Industry Day will be posted on the project Website: http://rdhpcs.noaa.gov/wcoss approximately 1 week after the Industry Day.

The Government intends a full & open competition for this requirement in the form of a final RFP in January 2011 with proposal submission by March 2011 and a single award, subject to the availability of funds, on or about October 2011. Potential offerors need not respond to the DRAFT RFP or participate in industry day as a prerequisite for responding to the final RFP.

This special notice posts a DRAFT RFP only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to purchase or acquire systems or services. The Government will not pay for data or time expended to respond to this notice and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an RFP or award a contract as a result of this notice.

 

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