​​Procurement of a Solar Tracker including DAP delivery to Tamanrasset (Algerian BSRN station)

The National Meteorological Office (ONM), also known as Météo Algérie, is looking to purchase, with the support of GCOS/WMO, a solar tracker for its observation site at Tamanrasset, Algeria. Following World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recommendations, a Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) monitoring program was established in Algeria at the Tamanrasset (alt. 1377 m) and Assekrem (2710m) sites in the central Sahara with total ozone, solar radiation, atmospheric turbidity, and meteorology measurements split and shared between the two sites. Under a WMO/UNDP/GEF project, GAW instruments have been installed since 1994. All infrastructure is now complete, and staff are available at both sites. In 2000 the station became part of the BSRN network. A remote site suitable for trace gas measurements is situated at Assekrem. This site, situated in the National Park of Ahaggar, offers a remote, continental environment for measuring background levels of greenhouse gases and aerosols as well as the tropospheric chemical and dynamic processes that affect greenhouse gases far removed from their sources but still resident over a continental region. The absence of vegetation and an extremely low level of biological activity around Assekrem extends for at least 1000 km in all directions from this site. Its high elevation (2710 m), prevailing easterly flow, temperate range of air temperatures, and its close proximity to major Saharan dust storms that generate long-range transports of dust over Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic qualifies and allows the Assekrem site to be a unique place in which to establish a GAW measuring program. Henceforth, this invitation to bid is to supply a solar tracker and other associated equipment, including the shipment to Tamanrasset, installation on site and training of the observing staff, as necessary, in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the equipment.