NOAA 97-R246

Contact:  Barry Reichenbaug             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                        9/26/97

NOAA AWARDS RADAR POWER TRANSITION SYSTEM CONTRACT TO NORTH CAROLINA COMPANY

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded an initial contract of $15.7 million to a North Carolina company for uninterruptable power systems for Doppler Weather Surveillance Radar Systems (WSR-88D). The contract has a maximum length of 10 years and a maximum potential value of $43 million if all systems and all maintenance support services are purchased.

Under the contract, Exide Electronics of Raleigh, N.C., will provide an uninterruptable power component, protective shelter and maintenance support area (the Transition Power Maintenance Shelter -- TPMS) for a minimum initial order of 40 existing WSR-88D radar sites. The uninterruptable power system for the radars will filter out spikes and dips in the electrical service and will store about 18 seconds worth of power, enough time for the radar's backup generator to start and power the radar until the normal supply of electrical power is restored.

If all contract orders are exercised, the contract will supply transition power maintenance shelters for 161 national and international WSR-88D radar sites operated by NOAA's National Weather Service, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Provisions in the contract allow for additional TPMS purchases if more WSR-88D systems are added to the existing network.