NOAA awards $2.9M for meteorological instruments, with VAISALA INC. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,909,394 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Vaisala Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOAA/OMAO/AOC, METEOROLOGICAL MINI-DROPWINDSONDE (NRD41) INSTRUMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80027

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.9 million to VAISALA INC. for work described as: NOAA/OMAO/AOC, METEOROLOGICAL MINI-DROPWINDSONDE (NRD41) INSTRUMENTS Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.9 million appears reasonable for specialized meteorological equipment. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 180 days is relatively short, indicating a focused scope. 4. The award is for delivery orders under an existing contract, implying prior vetting. 5. The product category, 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing,' is broad but relevant to NOAA's mission. 6. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.9 million for meteorological instruments is within a typical range for such specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar NOAA procurements for meteorological sensors and data collection devices suggests this award is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator of value for money. Without specific per-unit data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall contract size does not raise immediate red flags.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, leading to better pricing and innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of full and open competition suggests a robust process was intended. This method is preferred for maximizing taxpayer value and ensuring fair access for potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for competitive pricing, which directly benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government obtains goods and services at the most favorable rates available in the market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and its operational divisions, which will receive essential meteorological instruments. These instruments are critical for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and atmospheric research. The geographic impact is national, supporting NOAA's nationwide data collection and analysis efforts. The contract supports the workforce within the 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing' sector, specifically benefiting VAISALA INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count limits full assessment of competition intensity.
Limited contract duration may indicate a need for future, potentially larger, follow-on contracts.
The broad PSC code could obscure the exact nature and criticality of the instruments.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
The contractor, VAISALA INC., is a known entity in meteorological instrumentation.
The contract supports NOAA's core mission of weather and climate services.

Sector Analysis

The market for meteorological instruments is a specialized segment within the broader 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing' industry. This sector is characterized by high technical requirements and often involves a limited number of specialized manufacturers. NOAA is a significant purchaser in this space, relying on advanced technology for its critical weather and climate monitoring functions. Spending benchmarks for similar sensor and data acquisition systems can vary widely based on complexity and quantity, but this $2.9 million award appears to be for a specific set of instruments rather than a large-scale system deployment.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order under an existing contract, the initial competition may have already considered small business participation. However, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans with small businesses for this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain for these meteorological instruments.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Commerce's existing contract management and oversight mechanisms, potentially involving NOAA's acquisition and grants office. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned for this delivery order, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Commerce generally has oversight over departmental spending and programs, including those of NOAA.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Weather and Climate Data Services
National Weather Service Operations
Atmospheric Research Instruments
Meteorological Sensor Procurement
NOAA Fleet Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition if the market for specific instruments is narrow.
Risk of technical obsolescence in rapidly evolving sensor technology.
Dependence on a single contractor for specific instrument types if follow-on orders are concentrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.9 million to VAISALA INC.. NOAA/OMAO/AOC, METEOROLOGICAL MINI-DROPWINDSONDE (NRD41) INSTRUMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VAISALA 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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of VAISALA INC. with NOAA and other federal agencies for similar meteorological instruments?

VAISALA INC. is a well-established company specializing in environmental and industrial measurement. A review of federal procurement data indicates a history of awards to VAISALA INC. from various agencies, including NOAA, the Department of Defense, and NASA, for meteorological sensors, weather stations, and related equipment. These past awards suggest a proven capability and familiarity with government contracting requirements. Specific performance metrics from prior NOAA contracts would provide a more detailed assessment, but the company's consistent presence in federal solicitations for similar items points to a generally positive track record. Further due diligence might involve examining past performance evaluations if publicly available.

How does the $2.9 million contract value compare to historical NOAA spending on meteorological instruments?

The $2.9 million contract value for meteorological instruments is a moderate-sized award within NOAA's overall spending portfolio. NOAA frequently procures a wide range of meteorological equipment, from individual sensors to complex integrated systems. Historical data shows that NOAA has awarded contracts ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars for meteorological instrumentation, depending on the scope, quantity, and technological sophistication. This particular award, being for delivery orders under an existing contract, suggests it might be for replenishment or specific project needs rather than a large-scale new system acquisition. Without knowing the exact quantity and type of instruments, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value appears consistent with specialized equipment procurements.

What are the key risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential technical obsolescence of the instruments, delivery delays, and performance issues. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract shifts most of the cost risk to the contractor, VAISALA INC., ensuring the government pays a set amount. The relatively short performance period (180 days) helps limit the duration of potential performance issues. NOAA's use of full and open competition likely selected a vendor with a demonstrated capability, reducing the risk of non-performance. Furthermore, standard government contract clauses regarding acceptance, warranties, and remedies for non-conformance provide recourse if issues arise.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for procuring specialized meteorological instruments like these?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for procuring specialized items like meteorological instruments, as it maximizes the pool of potential suppliers and encourages competitive pricing. For NOAA, this approach increases the likelihood of obtaining state-of-the-art technology at the best possible value. However, the effectiveness can be influenced by the number of qualified bidders. If the market for highly specialized instruments is limited, even full and open competition might result in only a few bids. NOAA's technical specifications and evaluation criteria play a crucial role in ensuring that the chosen instrument meets operational needs while leveraging the competitive landscape to secure favorable terms.

What are the implications of this contract award for NOAA's operational capabilities?

This contract award directly supports NOAA's operational capabilities by ensuring the availability of necessary meteorological instruments. These instruments are fundamental to NOAA's mission of understanding and predicting changes in the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and coasts. Reliable and up-to-date instrumentation is crucial for accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, severe weather warnings, and scientific research. The timely delivery of these instruments, as stipulated by the contract's end date, will help maintain or enhance NOAA's data collection infrastructure, thereby supporting its public safety and economic service mandates.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 194 S TAYLOR AVE, LOUISVILLE, CO, 80027

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,909,394

Exercised Options: $2,909,394

Current Obligation: $2,909,394

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M222DNMAN0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline