NWS - Aerological Sounding Balloons   2

Background
The US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Acquisition and Grants Office, Eastern Acquisition Division, and the National Weather Service (NWS) intend to negotiate on a sole source basis with Kaymont for a firm-fixed unit price on an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract.

The goal of this contract is to procure up to 94,800 GP20 Aerological Sounding Balloons for the Surface and Upper Air Division. Kaymont is identified as the only vendor capable of producing and delivering GP20 balloons that meet the NWS GP20 Balloon Specification at a required rate of 4,680 balloons per month with a 90-day lead time.

Work Details
The contract requires the delivery of up to 94,800 General Purpose 20km (GP20) Aerological Sounding Balloons specifically designed for NWS Radiosonde Observations. The balloons must meet the NWS GP20 Balloon Specification.

The expected usage rate is 4,680 balloons per month.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent, as Kaymont Consolidated Industries is the awardee on multiple prior NWS GP20 aerological sounding balloon awards under 1305M221DNWWE0006 (e.g., $604,241 for 03/17/21–07/12/26, plus additional delivery-order awards in 2024–2026). The prior work involves supplying GP20 aerological sounding balloons used to support NWS radiosonde observations, which are described as essential for weather forecasting and upper air analysis—matching the current requirement to procure up to 94,800 GP20 balloons meeting the NWS GP20 Balloon Specification.