USMCC-Performance Work Statement

Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT)
United States Mission Control Center (USMCC) Operations, Maintenance, and Technical Support
Performance Work Statement (PWS)
October 13, 2026

C.1

Performance Work Statement/Specifications

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified) to perform the following Performance Work Statement. C.2

Performance Work Statement

C.2.1

Introduction

This Performance Work Statement is for Operations, Maintenance, and Technical Support of the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) United States Mission Control Center (USMCC), which is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO).
The SARSAT system relays distress signals from distress beacons carried by aviators, mariners and land-based users to search and rescue (SAR) services. The mission of the interagency SARSAT program is to:
Protect life and property by providing timely, accurate and reliable distress alerts to search and rescue services worldwide in an effective and efficient manner. The mission of the SARSAT program is fulfilled by:
▪ collecting and distributing reliable and accurate distress alert data in a timely fashion using satellite receiving stations and a mission control center; ▪ coordinating with national and international organizations on frequency management, satellites, emergency beacons and search and rescue issues; ▪ maintaining a national register for 406 MHz distress beacons; and, ▪ NOAA is currently serving as the lead for SARSAT within the United States, and representing the United States in the international Cospas-Sarsat Program, with the expectation of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) taking over responsibilities in the future, possibly before the end of this contract.
The desired outcome of the SARSAT program is to reduce human risk and economic consequences as a result of natural or human-induced emergencies. These activities align with NOAA’s goal to support the Nation’s Commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation.
Operations support includes the 24/7 operation of the USMCC; NOAA has developed and maintained the USMCC applications/utilities deployed on Windows Servers since the early 1990’s, maintenance and security of the USMCC hardware and accompanying internally