Bid guide
How to bid on Airborne and Mobile Measurements for NOAA ARL’s Research
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Air Resources Laboratory (ARL), is seeking specialized services for airborne and mobile atmospheric measurements. This includes providing research aircraft, mobile remote-sensing platforms, and drone-mounted methane analyzers. The work supports NOAA's research into meteorology and atmospheric chemistry.
Specifically, NOAA needs help characterizing meteorological conditions, atmospheric chemistry, and emissions over the Washington, DC/Baltimore, New York City, and Boston metropolitan areas. This research helps develop and evaluate atmospheric transport models, emissions inventories, and air quality forecasting systems. The period of performance is from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Quotation (RFQ) was published on August 05, 2026. The deadline for submitting your quote is August 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. All quotes must be submitted by this time.
The government intends to award a firm fixed-price purchase order to the lowest-priced technically acceptable offer. Payment terms will be Net 30.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is a small-business set-aside. It is suitable for firms with expertise in specialized aircraft operations for scientific research, mobile atmospheric remote sensing, drone operations for environmental monitoring, and atmospheric data analysis.
The associated NAICS code is 541715, which covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,000 employees.
How to respond
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation, and this announcement constitutes the only solicitation. A separate written solicitation will not be issued. Quotes are being requested.
To access the full details and prepare your response, you will need to view the original source on the portal. You may need to click the 'View original source' link twice if the first click takes you to the portal's homepage. A free account may be required to view documents, though this is not always the case.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Since the award will be based on the lowest-priced technically acceptable offer, ensure your quote clearly demonstrates that you meet all technical requirements while offering a competitive price. Detail your capabilities for each task: airborne measurements, mobile ceilometer and methane characterization, and data analysis.
Provide clear evidence of your firm's experience with similar atmospheric research projects, including the provision of suitably equipped research aircraft, qualified flight crews, and operational support. Highlight your ability to comply with all FAA regulations and coordinate effectively with NOAA scientists. For drone operations, emphasize your FAA-compliant unmanned aircraft systems and certified pilots. Clearly outline your approach to data collection, quality control, and delivery for all tasks.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Commerce, Department of; the original posting controls.