Radar Next Industry Day

The National Weather Service (NWS) invites interested industry partners to attend our Radar Next Industry Day on July 7, 2026. In conjunction with Industry Day, the Government will offer a limited number of one-hour One-on-One (1:1) sessions with the Radar Next program team for organizations that separately register and are selected for participation on July 7 - 8, 2026. Times are to be determined.

Registration:

• To attend Industry Day, registration is mandatory. Industry Day will be held at The MITRE Corporation in McLean, VA. Please secure your spot using the Radar Next Industry Day registration link provided in the Attachments/Links section below. Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent to attendees with directions & visitor access information.
• One-on-One Sessions. Interested organizations must submit a separate request via the Radar Next 1:1 session registration link. Confirmation emails will be sent for 1:1 sessions.
• If you have specific questions or topics not addressed in Attachment 1: One-on-One Sample Questions.pdf, please submit them through the Radar Next Questions form.
• All registration submissions and questions must be received no later than Monday, June 15, 2026, for consideration. Please note you will be exiting the Government site utilizing Google forms once you click on the links below. Confirmation emails are not auto-generated. 

Background:

The NWS Radar Next program launched in 2023 to strategically plan and deploy the successor to the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) capability. With the NEXRAD projected to fall below required availability levels in the early 2030s, Radar Next is focused on delivering a modern radar system that ensures data continuity, addresses existing coverage gaps, and significantly improves data quality and performance. As the NWS transitions to an enterprise Cloud and integrates forecasters more directly with decision-makers, the Radar Next program is vital to aligning future radar capabilities with our mission while providing high-quality data to our partners and the commercial weather enterprise. The future radar network will provide a backbone of foundational observations essential for NWS service delivery, complemented by commercial data buys to fill coverage gaps. The program also emphasizes resiliency, exploring solutions such as mobile or transportable radars to mitigate extended outages and better support hyperlocal decision support activities. 

Industry Day Objectives:

• Provide the broader Radar Next commercial marketplace with information on how the Radar Next program fits into  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) overall priorities, share the program’s current status, and discuss the planned approach for Radar Next acquisition activities. 
• Learn from Industry on current and emerging capabilities, including within the C-Band commercial radar data buy space.
• Promote robust competition and facilitate networking connections and teaming opportunities among interested partners through Industry Day participation.

Key NOAA Attendees:

• Ajay Mehta, Director, NWS Office of Systems
• Jessica Schultz, Radar Next Deputy Director
• Mat Grow, Radar Next Financial and Acquisition Management Director
• Randy Silver, Radar Next Program Engineer
• Curtis Marshall, Director, NWS Commercial Data Program 
• Jennifer Hildebrandt, NOAA Acquisition & Grants Office, Eastern Acquisition Division Branch Chief

Industry Day Agenda: (subject to change)

• 9:00-10:00AM: Registration Check-In and Networking
• 10:00-10:30AM: Opening Remarks from Ajay Mehta, Director, NWS Office of Systems 
• 10:30-11:00AM: Radar Next Program Overview Presentation
• 11:00-11:30AM: Question & Answer (Q&A), includes Interactive Segment with Government Questions to Industry
• 11:30AM-12:30PM: Networking

Why Attend:

• Strategic Alignment & Program Status: Learn how the Radar Next program fits into NOAA priorities and future plans.
• Industry and Peer Engagement: Connect with key NWS Radar Next program managers, technical experts, and procurement officers driving upcoming projects. This event is also a valuable opportunity to discover strategic teaming partners, subcontractors, or prime contractors to pursue future awards. 
• Executive Insights: Hear directly from NWS Leadership shaping the path forward and defining the future of the nation’s weather radar infrastructure.

Industry Day participation is not limited. The Radar Next team and NWS senior leadership encourage representation from executive leadership and relevant subject matter experts, including weather radar engineering and observations, operations and maintenance, radar system deployment, data integration, C-Band commercial radar data buys, AI/ML, and mobile/portable weather radar capabilities.

1:1 Sessions: 

A limited number of one-hour 1:1 sessions with the Radar Next leadership team will be offered in conjunction with Industry Day.  Participation in these sessions requires separate registration and is not guaranteed. Organizations interested in being considered for one of these session may indicate their interest during registration and submit a brief abstract for Government review. A list of sample questions is provided in the attachments for general guidance on topics of interest; however, organizations may propose additional relevant topics for consideration.

The initial focus of the 1:1 sessions will be C-Band commercial radar data buys. The Government will also consider requests addressing other topics relevant to the Radar Next effort, as appropriate. Due to limited availability, not all requests may be accommodated as part of this event; however, the Government may contact additional organizations at a later date to schedule follow-on sessions, as appropriate. Confirmation of date & time of 1:1 sessions will be provided via email.

These sessions are intended to support interactive, technically focused exchanges with industry. Participating organizations are strongly encouraged to include executive leadership (e.g., Chief Technology Officer, Chief Executive Officer) and relevant subject matter experts. Sessions are not intended for standard capability briefings or sales presentations. Instead, participants should be prepared to discuss specific ideas, technical considerations, and potential approaches relevant to the topics identified in their abstract.

Future Engagement Areas: 

Ongoing market research and industry engagement are critical to helping the Radar Next team assess marketplace capabilities, refine program requirements, and inform acquisition planning and decision-making. As program objectives and technical requirements continue to evolve and mature, the Government may conduct additional industry engagements to improve its understanding of available capabilities, reduce program risk, and enhance overall procurement outcomes. Future engagements may include but are not limited to topics such as systems integration, mobile/portable weather radar capabilities, and innovative approaches to system sustainment and maintenance.

Disclosure of Support Contractors and Confidentiality:

Attendees are advised that the Government will utilize contractors, consultants, and/or Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) support to assist the Radar Next team during the Industry Day and subsequent 1:1 sessions. The following contracted organizations will serve as technical advisors and have access to information shared or submitted by vendors during these sessions:

• M2 Strategy, Inc. 
• The MITRE Corporation, FFRDC
• University of Oklahoma Advanced Radar Research Center

All non-federal personnel participating in these sessions are subject to strict confidentiality restrictions and have executed formal Non-Disclosure Agreements. Furthermore, the companies employing these advisors are required to comply with the organizational and personal conflict of interest restrictions contained in the following clauses:

• Commerce Acquisition Regulations (CAR) 1352.209-71 – Limitation of Future Contracting
• CAR 1352.209-72 – Restrictions Against Disclosure
• CAR 1352.209-74 – Organizational Conflict of Interest
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.203-16 – Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest

By registering for and participating in this Industry Day event or requesting a 1:1 session, organizations consent to having their shared information, presentations, and discussions reviewed by these support contractors for technical analysis.

Where & When:

• The MITRE Corporation, 7596 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102 (Building 4, McLean Metro Station Accessible)
• Industry Day General Attendance (in-person only): 9:00AM – 12:30PM ET, July 7, 2026
• 1:1 sessions (in-person and by invitation only): July 7-8, 2026 (times TBD)

MITRE Visitor Access: 

All attendees visiting The MITRE Corporation for Industry Day events must present a valid Government-issued photo ID upon entry.  Foreign nationals may also present a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), if applicable.  Please note that foreign nationals are not permitted to bring electronic devices into MITRE facilities.  Electronic devices may be secured in your vehicle or left at the MITRE Security Desk.

DISCLAIMER: This notice is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment by the Government. The Government reserves the right to cancel this notice and/or event at any time and shall not be liable for any cost in preparation or attendance.