FAA awards $3.4M contract for Alaska weather operations, highlighting specialized regional needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,415,408 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-07-10

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 11

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99502

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $3.4 million to ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC for work described as: CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 11 Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical weather monitoring in a unique operational environment. 2. Focus on specialized technical services suggests a niche market. 3. Limited duration indicates a specific project or service period. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. Single award suggests a competitive process that identified a best-value solution. 6. Geographic focus on Alaska points to specific environmental challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.4 million over approximately 1.5 years appears reasonable for specialized weather operations in a remote and challenging region like Alaska. Benchmarking against similar contracts for weather monitoring services in extreme environments would provide further context. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but detailed performance metrics will be key to assessing true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was initiated. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this designation suggests that multiple capable vendors were considered. The exclusion of sources implies that certain vendors were intentionally not considered, which warrants further investigation into the justification.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive bids, potentially leading to lower overall costs.

Public Impact

Aviation safety in Alaska is enhanced through improved weather data. FAA operations in the region benefit from reliable meteorological support. Pilots and air traffic controllers receive critical weather information. The contract supports specialized technical expertise in meteorology. Economic activity in Alaska may be indirectly supported through reliable infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess competition intensity.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further clarification on its justification and impact on competition.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a specialized firm suggests alignment with technical requirements.
Clear performance period (delivery order) allows for focused evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically related to meteorological services. The market for specialized weather operations, particularly in challenging geographical areas like Alaska, is relatively niche. Spending in this area is driven by the critical need for accurate weather data to support aviation, maritime, and other operational activities. Comparable spending might be found in contracts for environmental monitoring or specialized scientific support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific requirement or outcome for this contract. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a larger, specialized entity capable of meeting the stringent requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. The contract's firm fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Performance monitoring and adherence to the delivery order terms will be crucial. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Contracts
FAA Air Traffic Control Services
Arctic Operations Support
Meteorological Research and Development

Risk Flags

Potential lack of transparency regarding excluded sources.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $3.4 million to ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC. CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 11

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-10. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC in performing similar weather monitoring contracts for federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or commendations from previous government engagements. Federal procurement databases and agency performance rating systems (like CPARS) would be the primary sources for this information. Understanding their experience with similar weather conditions, operational environments, and reporting requirements in Alaska or other remote regions is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar specialized weather services in remote regions?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value, nor does it offer a breakdown of costs or per-unit pricing. To benchmark this contract's value, one would need to compare it against similar weather operations contracts awarded by government agencies, particularly those operating in challenging or remote locations like Alaska. Factors such as the scope of services, duration, required technology, and personnel expertise would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without access to detailed pricing structures or a database of comparable contract costs, a precise market rate comparison is not feasible based solely on the provided information.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data snippet does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for weather operations, KPIs might include accuracy of forecasts, timeliness of data delivery, system uptime, and adherence to reporting standards. The FAA contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's statement of work and any established metrics. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services, and payment is contingent upon meeting those requirements, but the specifics of measurement are not detailed here.

What is the historical spending trend for weather operations services by the FAA in Alaska?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for weather operations services by the FAA in Alaska. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) for all contracts awarded by the FAA in Alaska related to weather operations over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal patterns in contract values, types of services procured, and the number of contractors utilized, providing context for the current award's significance and potential budget allocations for such services.

What specific 'sources' were excluded in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award, and what was the justification?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' but does not specify which sources were excluded or the justification for their exclusion. This clause typically means that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential sources were deemed ineligible or not considered for specific, documented reasons. These reasons often relate to unique capabilities, security requirements, or prior work that makes only a limited number of entities suitable. A full understanding would require reviewing the official justification documentation associated with the contract award, which is usually made public through contract award notices or agency procurement files.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4235 AIRCRAFT DR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99502

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,415,408

Exercised Options: $3,415,408

Current Obligation: $3,415,408

Actual Outlays: $2,276,939

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH23D00064

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline