DOC - AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) Recompete - MRAS

The Department of Commerce (DOC), through the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service's (NWS) Office of Central Processing. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to gather insights from industry on tools, techniques, and best practices for developing, integrating, and maintaining a large cloud-based environment that supports NOAA's operational mission. The feedback collected will inform the drafting of a Performance Work Statement for future contract opportunities.

The NWS plays a crucial role in providing timely weather forecasts and warnings to protect life and property across various geographic and temporal scales. Central to this mission is the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), which supports forecasters in creating and disseminating critical information. AWIPS is deployed at approximately 170 sites nationwide, addressing diverse operational requirements such as data ingestion, application of algorithms, visualization, and dissemination of weather products.

As part of its modernization efforts, NWS is transitioning AWIPS functionality to a cloud-based platform using microservices architecture. This RFI explores potential strategies for executing this transition effectively while ensuring compliance with IT security policies, maintaining system reliability through Operations & Maintenance (O&M), providing comprehensive end-user training with realistic simulations, and implementing an Agile software development lifecycle for rapid capability enhancements.

The AWIPS program seeks solutions that enable seamless data management across its operations while ensuring smooth transitions at the beginning and end of contract periods. Additionally, it emphasizes robust Help Desk Support to address user issues promptly across different locations. By engaging with industry experts through this RFI process, NOAA aims to enhance its capabilities in delivering world-class weather services via an innovative cloud-based platform.