Radar Next Industry Day

Quick Summary

The National Weather Service (NWS) is hosting a Radar Next Industry Day on July 7, 2026, at The MITRE Corporation in McLean, VA. This special notice invites industry partners to learn about the Radar Next program, which aims to deploy the successor to the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) capability. The event will provide program updates, discuss planned acquisition activities, and seek industry input on current and emerging capabilities, particularly in C-Band commercial radar data buys. Limited one-on-one sessions will also be offered on July 7-8, 2026.

Purpose & Background

The Radar Next program, launched in 2023, is critical for ensuring data continuity, addressing coverage gaps, and improving data quality as NEXRAD approaches its end-of-life. The NWS seeks to align future radar capabilities with its mission, integrate with enterprise Cloud, and provide high-quality data, complemented by commercial data buys. The program also emphasizes resiliency through solutions like mobile or transportable radars. The Industry Day aims to inform the commercial marketplace about NOAA's priorities, the program's status, and its acquisition approach, while fostering competition and networking.

Event Details & Objectives

The Industry Day, held in-person, will feature opening remarks from NWS leadership, a program overview presentation, and a Q&A session with interactive segments. Key NOAA attendees include Ajay Mehta (Director, NWS Office of Systems) and Jessica Schultz (Radar Next Deputy Director). Objectives include providing strategic alignment and program status, engaging with NWS program managers and technical experts, and facilitating teaming opportunities. Industry participation is encouraged from executive leadership and subject matter experts in weather radar engineering, operations, deployment, data integration, C-Band data buys, AI/ML, and mobile radar capabilities.

One-on-One Sessions

A limited number of one-hour, in-person 1:1 sessions with the Radar Next leadership team are available on July 7-8, 2026. Separate registration is required, and participation is not guaranteed. Organizations must submit an abstract for review. While the initial focus is on C-Band commercial radar data buys, other relevant topics will be considered. These sessions are for interactive, technically focused exchanges, not standard capability briefings, and participants should be prepared to discuss specific ideas and technical approaches.

Key Attachments

• Attachment 1: One-on-One Sample Questions.pdf provides guidance for 1:1 sessions, covering strategic program questions, C-Band radar capabilities, and tactical/technical aspects of C-Band dish weather radars. This helps bidders prepare focused discussions.
• Attachment 2: Preliminary Draft Radar Next C-Band Requirements.pdf outlines initial C-Band requirements, including Minimum Viable Product (MVP), coverage (CONUS/OCONUS), detailed product specifications, environmental conditions, and operational requirements (e.g., availability >=95%, reliability MTBF >= 800 hours). It also poses specific "Questions for Industry" on installation, power, grounding, maintenance, and cross-pol isolation.

Important Dates & Contacts

• Industry Day: July 7, 2026 (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET)
• 1:1 Sessions: July 7-8, 2026 (times TBD)
• Registration & Questions Due: Monday, June 15, 2026
• Location: The MITRE Corporation, 7596 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102
• Primary Contact: Holly A. Ferguson (holly.ferguson@noaa.gov)
• Secondary Contact: Kari Webler (kari.webler@noaa.gov)

Additional Information

Support contractors, including M2 Strategy, Inc., The MITRE Corporation (FFRDC), and University of Oklahoma Advanced Radar Research Center, will assist the Radar Next team. These contractors are subject to strict confidentiality and conflict of interest restrictions. By participating, organizations consent to their shared information being reviewed by these support contractors. This notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.