Request for Information (RFI) GEO Ground System Sustainment & Evolution
ID: GEO-GS_RFI_Dec_2024Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATIONUS

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/3dac76775c0d483e88201b345de83211/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the sustainment and evolution of the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Ground System. The primary objective of this RFI is to gather insights on innovative technological capabilities that will enhance multi-mission support for upcoming satellite missions, including the Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) and Space Weather missions, while maintaining the existing GOES system and minimizing lifecycle costs. This initiative is crucial for ensuring the continuous flow of critical environmental data necessary for public safety and disaster response. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their responses by January 24, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Gerald Robertson at gerald.robertson@noaa.gov or Tamalia Adams at tamalia.adams@noaa.gov.

    Files
    Title
    Posted
    NOAA GEO Ground System Sustainment and Evolution RFI.pdf
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on technological capabilities for the evolution and sustainment of the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Ground System. This system currently supports the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-R) and Space Weather Follow-On missions. The RFI aims to identify innovative strategies to expand multi-mission support, including for the upcoming GeoXO satellites, while minimizing lifecycle costs and enhancing system reliability and cybersecurity compliance. Key assumptions include the operational status requirement for new missions at least one year prior to launch and the potential migration of certain system components to commercial cloud environments. The document outlines various evolution goals, such as ensuring mission capability, lowering lifecycle costs, and advancing IT security measures. Responses to the RFI are sought in several areas, including system architecture, operations, maintenance, and security. The information collected will inform future requirements for a follow-on contract set to launch in FY2028. The Government emphasizes that participation does not guarantee a contract and submissions must be made by January 24, 2025. Overall, this RFI represents an initiative to enhance NOAA's GEO Ground System in response to future satellite missions and evolving technological landscapes.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 1 GEO Ground System Background.pdf
    The NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) is evolving the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Ground System to enhance weather data collection and support future satellite missions. This initiative aims to maintain operational continuity for current geostationary satellites while integrating new technologies and simplifying system design through to the mid-2050s. The GEO Ground System, originally designed for the GOES-R Series satellites, will also accommodate the upcoming GeoXO satellites and operations of the SWFO-L1 space weather satellite. Key functional components include Mission Management, Data Operations, and Infrastructure Services that ensure continuous operations critical for public safety and disaster response. The proposed upgrades emphasize automation, maintainability, and enhanced security, particularly through cloud infrastructure integration using Amazon Web Services. The final system will maintain backward compatibility with legacy systems and streamline operations across multiple missions. This modernization reflects NOAA's commitment to providing reliable environmental data, vital for predicting weather patterns and supporting emergency services, thereby fulfilling federal mandates associated with public safety and environmental management.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 2 Wall Chart 7036394 Rev AH.pdf
    The GOES-R Series Ground Segment Wall Chart outlines the operational framework and infrastructure related to the GOES-R series satellites, focusing on data transmission, telemetry, command operations, and services provided through various facilities, namely the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF), Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station (WCDAS), and the Consolidated Backup (CBU) site. Key operational elements include command data being sent and received, spacecraft telemetry, and unique payload services such as GRB (Geostationary Rapid Refresh) data. The document provides extensive details on system components, configurations, and operational protocols, including remote access arrangements and security measures. Through a structured revision history, it demonstrates continuous updates to accommodate changes, operational improvements, and compliance with technical standards. The wall chart serves as a comprehensive resource for personnel involved in satellite operations, mission planning, and system maintenance, ensuring a clear depiction of the interconnectivity and functionality of the satellite ground segment. This document is vital for government agencies and contractors to facilitate effective coordination and communication, ultimately enhancing satellite monitoring and environmental data acquisition capabilities.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 3 GEO Cloud V0.03.pdf
    The NOAA5065 (NCS) document outlines the technical and infrastructural elements related to the generation and processing of meteorological data, specifically in relation to the GEO (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) systems. The main focus is on the production of various data products, including GEO L1, L2, and ancillary data, alongside the associated IT security measures utilizing services like AWS and N-Wave. The document details the structure of the system, including the use of multiple Availability Zones (AZs) and various AWS services to ensure secure and efficient data flows. A series of tasks for implementation are listed, including network strategy decisions, integration of security tools, and configuration management. Additionally, the document specifies compliance requirements with FISMA regulations. Its purpose centers on the enhancement of situational awareness and incident response capabilities through continuous monitoring and risk management. This RFP serves to solicit contractor responses from relevant vendors, aiming to develop cloud capabilities that meet NOAA's operational needs by the year's end in 2026.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 4 Memo Planned Updates to the GGSS FPS.pdf
    The memorandum from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlines significant planned updates to the Geostationary Ground System Sustainment (GGSS) Functional and Performance Specification (F&PS) document. These updates, categorized into cloud migration and system simplification, aim to modernize operations by reflecting the existing technical baseline and requirements that will transition by 2028. Key alterations involve migrating data operations to the cloud, including deploying capabilities on-premises and modifying product generation and dissemination processes. Additionally, the updates will simplify the system by removing specific operational locations and decommissioning various components such as the Product Processing Zone and the Raw Data Recorder. Complementing these changes, several capabilities will be retired, including redundancy in server systems. This initiative reflects NOAA's commitment to enhancing functionality while adapting to technological advancements, notably cloud computing. It indicates a proactive approach to align current capabilities with future demands and operational efficiency.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 5 GGSS FPS.pdf
    The Geostationary (GEO) Ground Sustainment Services (GGSS) Functional and Performance Specification (F&PS), Version 1.1, outlines the requirements for the core GOES-R Ground Segment (GS) and the Antenna Element, which are essential for the operation of the GOES-R series satellites that provide critical environmental data. The document establishes high-level operational capabilities aimed at ensuring the continuous flow of satellite data until at least 2035. Key objectives include maintaining mission continuity, enhancing environmental data products, and ensuring robust service delivery. The document details the physical deployment at multiple facilities, including the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility and the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station, emphasizing remote operability and integrated functionality across locations. Requirements for security, maintainability, operational integrity, and performance metrics are included to ensure high availability and reliability. The structure allows for effective traceability of requirements and supports mission management with stringent operational availability criteria, ensuring that failure in one part does not disrupt overall operations. This document is a strategic tool for managing federal contracts and grants related to NOAA and NASA operations concerning weather data collection and enhancement.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 6 SRR Overview.pdf
    The GEO Ground Project Overview outlines the operational framework for the GeoXO mission, detailing how its capabilities will be integrated within the NESDIS Enterprise alongside current systems. Managed by Steve Grippando, the project aims to ensure a smooth transition from the GOES-R system by effectively redistributing responsibilities and incorporating new technologies. Key components include mission management, satellite command and control, data operations, and various communication services for data collection and distribution. The project leverages existing infrastructure while preparing for the simultaneous management of GOES-R, GeoXO, and Space Weather Follow On satellites, ensuring that ongoing operations are not disrupted. It emphasizes the evolution of the Ground Segment Project into the GEO Ground Project after the operational handover of GOES-U, reflecting a commitment to adapt documentation to meet the needs of both existing and future satellites. The overview also specifies the systems' interfaces and data handling processes necessary for successful mission execution, reinforcing the project's importance in providing critical environmental data.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 7 SRR Requirements Briefing.pdf
    The GEO Ground Project Requirements document outlines the specifications and operational guidelines for the GeoXO satellite system, focusing on its ground segment capabilities. Key elements include the hierarchical requirements, driving requirements for system sizing and availability, and the design implications related to product generation and distribution. The system will cater to three operational satellites and provide Level 0 and Level 1b data to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Common Cloud Framework (NCCF). Significantly, there is no interface with the National Weather Service or Level 2 product distribution requirements. The project emphasizes operational redundancy, maintaining system availability above 98.9%, and ensuring minimal downtime during maintenance activities. Additionally, the document highlights ongoing studies for infrastructure enhancement, such as antenna resource allocation and cloud-based service integration using Amazon Web Services to modernize data handling and accessibility. The goal is to support multiple missions simultaneously while enhancing automated operations and collaboration with mission partners, thus optimizing data delivery and processing capabilities for improved weather monitoring and event detection.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 8 MRD V2.1.pdf
    The Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) Mission Requirements Document (MRD) outlines the specifications, objectives, and operational framework for the GeoXO satellite system. Scheduled for implementation starting January 2, 2024, and lasting through at least 2050, this document addresses the NASA and NOAA collaborative efforts to enhance meteorological forecasts and environmental monitoring. The document emphasizes the mission's commitment to providing critical satellite imagery and data necessary for disaster response, public safety, and environmental monitoring, utilizing a constellation of three government-owned spacecraft positioned in geostationary orbits. The GeoXO system will employ various instruments such as the GeoXO Imager (GXI) and Lightning Mapper (LMX) to collect essential atmospheric data. Key aspects include mission objectives focusing on severe weather forecasting and resource management, operational protocols for satellite positioning and data collection, and compliance with regulatory standards on environmental safety and operational reliability. The structure is detailed with sections devoted to mission overview, requirements terminology, and specific product parameter definitions. Overall, the GeoXO MRD serves as a critical foundation for successful implementation and operation of next-generation satellite systems aimed at enhancing climate monitoring capabilities.
    NOAA GEO GS SE RFI Attachment 9 GSDD Rev P.pdf
    The Ground Segment Design Description (GSDD) outlines the design architecture of the GOES-R Ground Segment, essential for NOAA's geostationary weather satellite operations. Prepared by L3Harris Technologies, this document reflects the final design after significant revisions driven by critical reviews, server updates, and the integration of new instruments. The GOES-R series aims to enhance continuous weather monitoring and improve environmental data quality through advanced satellite technology. The design encompasses operations across three locations: the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility, the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station, and the Consolidated Backup facility. These sites facilitate satellite command, data processing, and product distribution for various weather and climate services. Key instruments like the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) play crucial roles in data generation. The document is structured to provide an overview of the scope, referenced documents, and detailed descriptions of systems, design decisions, and operational concepts. This design reinforces NOAA's commitment to reliable and advanced weather monitoring, supporting critical forecasting and environmental protection efforts. The comprehensive design reflects ongoing enhancements to accommodate evolving technologies and operational requirements, ensuring an effective response to meteorological challenges.
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    Request for Information (RFI) GEO Ground System Sustainment & Evolution
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