Hadron Industries awarded $3.16M contract for Weather.gov 2.0 and NWS API development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,163,550 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Hadron Industries, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-08-07

End Date: 2026-08-06

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: WEATHER.GOV 2.0 AND NWS API

Place of Performance

Location: CONCORD, MERRIMACK County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03301

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.2 million to HADRON INDUSTRIES, INC. for work described as: WEATHER.GOV 2.0 AND NWS API Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for custom programming services over a one-year period. 2. Limited competition may have impacted price discovery. 3. Performance risk is moderate given the custom software development nature. 4. This contract supports modernization of critical weather information systems. 5. The IT services sector sees significant government investment in data management and API development. 6. Contract duration is standard for this type of development project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.16 million for a 364-day period for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) is within a reasonable range for developing complex software like Weather.gov 2.0 and its associated API. Benchmarking against similar federal IT development contracts suggests that pricing for specialized programming services can vary widely, but this amount does not immediately appear excessive given the scope. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no public solicitation or competition among multiple vendors. While sole-source awards can be justified under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities or urgent needs), they limit the government's ability to explore a wider range of solutions and potentially secure more competitive pricing. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for these critical IT services. Without competing bids, it's harder to ascertain if the awarded price represents the best value achievable in the market.

Public Impact

The public benefits from improved access to weather data and services through the modernized Weather.gov website and NWS API. This contract delivers custom computer programming services essential for maintaining and enhancing national weather information infrastructure. The geographic impact is nationwide, as Weather.gov serves all regions of the United States. The contract supports the IT workforce involved in software development and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential innovation.
Custom software development carries inherent risks of scope creep and technical challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical weather infrastructure could pose a long-term risk.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract supports modernization of essential public services.
Award to a single entity may streamline project management and execution.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) services sector is a major area of federal spending. This contract falls under custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511), which includes the design, development, and implementation of software. Government spending in this area is driven by the need to modernize legacy systems, develop new digital capabilities, and manage vast amounts of data. Comparable contracts often involve significant investment in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data analytics platforms.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. The prime contractor, Hadron Industries, Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting this critical federal IT initiative.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a level of established terms and conditions. Oversight would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Modernization Programs
NOAA Information Technology Infrastructure
Federal API Development Contracts
Custom Software Development Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Custom software development risks
Potential for cost overruns
Schedule adherence concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.2 million to HADRON INDUSTRIES, INC.. WEATHER.GOV 2.0 AND NWS API

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HADRON INDUSTRIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-07. End: 2026-08-06.

What is the track record of Hadron Industries, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in custom computer programming?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Hadron Industries, Inc.'s track record. Specifically, one would look for past performance ratings on similar contracts, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the types of agencies they have previously served. For this specific contract, understanding their experience with large-scale, public-facing IT systems like Weather.gov and API development would be crucial. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their capability and reliability for this project. However, the sole-source nature of this award might imply a pre-existing relationship or a specific, recognized capability.

How does the $3.16 million contract value compare to similar custom computer programming services for weather-related IT systems?

Benchmarking this $3.16 million contract requires comparing it to similar custom computer programming services for weather-related IT systems, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and complexity. Federal IT contracts for developing or modernizing large-scale data platforms and public-facing applications can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. Given that this contract is for the development of 'WEATHER.GOV 2.0 AND NWS API' over approximately one year, the value appears to be in a moderate range. However, a precise comparison would necessitate access to detailed scope-of-work documents and pricing structures of comparable contracts, which are not provided here. The sole-source nature also complicates direct value-for-money comparisons.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for custom software development?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for custom software development include potential issues with price reasonableness due to the lack of competition, and performance risks inherent in custom software projects. Without competitive bidding, there's a risk that the government may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution. Performance risks involve the possibility of schedule delays, cost overruns, or the final product not meeting all specified requirements. Given the critical nature of weather information systems, any failure or significant delay in development could have substantial impacts on public safety and services. Contractor capability and past performance are key mitigating factors, but their assessment is limited in a sole-source scenario.

What is the expected impact of Weather.gov 2.0 and the NWS API on the delivery of weather information to the public and other government agencies?

The development of Weather.gov 2.0 and the NWS API is expected to significantly enhance the delivery of weather information. Weather.gov 2.0 likely aims to provide a more modern, user-friendly interface, potentially incorporating advanced visualization tools and more personalized weather alerts. The NWS API (Application Programming Interface) will enable third-party developers, researchers, and other government agencies to access raw and processed weather data programmatically. This facilitates the integration of NWS data into a wider array of applications, services, and research projects, ultimately broadening the reach and utility of critical weather information for public safety, economic activities, and scientific advancement.

How has federal spending on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) trended in recent years, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) has generally trended upwards over recent years, driven by the ongoing digital transformation across government agencies. Agencies are increasingly reliant on tailored software solutions to manage data, improve operational efficiency, and deliver citizen services. This $3.16 million contract for Weather.gov 2.0 and NWS API development fits within this trend as a specific investment in modernizing critical public infrastructure. It represents a typical expenditure for developing or significantly upgrading a major IT system within agencies like NOAA, which manage vast datasets and require specialized applications to serve their mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 90 AIRPORT RD, CONCORD, NH, 03301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,572,710

Exercised Options: $3,163,550

Current Obligation: $3,163,550

Actual Outlays: $1,581,775

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline