NOAA photo of Earth from space.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is looking for more vendors for commercial radio occultation data, according to a recent request for information.

NOAA’s Commercial Data Program (CDP) is conducting market research to on-ramp additional vendors to the Radio Occultation Data Buy II (RODB-2) multiple award vendor pool. 

The administration currently has two commercial providers on the contract, PlanetiQ and Spire Global. Both were awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts in March, with a maximum value of $60 million shared between the two vendors in a five-year period. 

Because the IDIQ contract duration is five years, the CDP is taking an annual look at the commercial sector to see if new vendors have emerged that are capable of meeting the requirements. NOAA is currently just seeking information and not soliciting for a contract. 

According to the announcement, as new qualified vendors emerge, CDP will add them to the contract to compete with Spire and PlanetiQ for delivery order contracts. The contract ceiling will remain in place.

NOAA uses the radio occultation data for its operational data systems, including weather and space weather analysis and prediction systems, and weather, climate, and atmospheric research purposes.