Transportation contract for airport weather services awarded to Pacific Weather Inc. for over $16.6 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,617,722 ($16.6M)

Contractor: Pacific Weather Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2008-03-05

End Date: 2013-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY08 - BWI PR NO. WA-08-1791 CWO SERVICES FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INT'L ARPT., BALTIMORE, MD REGIS ID 17610246 TAS::69 1301::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: PORT ANGELES, CLALLAM County, WASHINGTON, 98362

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $16.6 million to PACIFIC WEATHER INC. for work described as: FY08 - BWI PR NO. WA-08-1791 CWO SERVICES FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INT'L ARPT., BALTIMORE, MD REGIS ID 17610246 TAS::69 1301::TAS Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.6 million over approximately 5 years indicates significant investment in airport operational support. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 6 years suggests a need for sustained, reliable weather information services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 points to a broad category of professional, scientific, and technical services. 5. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 6. The contract was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration, highlighting its importance for aviation safety and efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16.6 million over nearly six years for weather services at a major airport appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for airport meteorological services is challenging without more specific data on the scope and deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The absence of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

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. The data shows 3 bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a large number of bidders, it implies that multiple companies were interested and capable of providing the required weather services, which generally supports price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Passengers and airlines benefit from enhanced safety and operational efficiency at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport due to reliable weather information. Airport operations staff receive critical data for managing air traffic, ground operations, and emergency response. The geographic impact is focused on the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, serving a major transportation hub. The contract supports specialized meteorological jobs within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen complexities arise, despite the firm-fixed-price structure.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical weather data could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.
The limited number of bidders (3) might indicate a niche market with potentially less aggressive pricing than in broader service categories.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Long contract duration implies a stable and reliable service provision for the airport.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to meteorological services. The aviation industry relies heavily on accurate weather forecasting and real-time data for safe and efficient operations. Spending in this area is crucial for major airports and air traffic control systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the budgets of the Federal Aviation Administration and large airport authorities for meteorological support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Pacific Weather Inc. is likely a larger entity given the contract value. There is no information on subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though larger contracts can sometimes lead to subcontracting opportunities for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, outlining deliverables and service standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Operations
Airport Infrastructure Improvement Programs
National Weather Service Aviation Support
Federal Contract Services

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Limited Competition Bidders
NAICS Code Specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $16.6 million to PACIFIC WEATHER INC.. FY08 - BWI PR NO. WA-08-1791 CWO SERVICES FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INT'L ARPT., BALTIMORE, MD REGIS ID 17610246 TAS::69 1301::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PACIFIC WEATHER INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-05. End: 2013-11-30.

What was the specific scope of work for the CWO (Communications, Weather, Operations) services provided under this contract?

The contract, identified as WA-08-1791, was for 'CWO SERVICES FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INT'L ARPT.' While 'CWO' is mentioned, the specific details of the services are not fully elaborated in the provided data. Typically, such services for a major airport would encompass a range of meteorological support, including weather forecasting tailored to aviation needs, real-time weather monitoring, dissemination of weather information to air traffic controllers and airport operations, and potentially support for communication systems related to weather data. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990) suggests a broad scope that could include specialized consulting, data analysis, and reporting related to weather phenomena impacting airport operations.

How does the awarded amount of $16.6 million compare to typical spending for similar airport weather services?

Direct comparison of the $16.6 million award for airport weather services is difficult without granular data on the specific services, duration, and airport size for comparable contracts. However, for a major international airport like Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), a contract spanning nearly six years (March 2008 to November 2013) at this value suggests a comprehensive service package. Larger airports often require sophisticated, 24/7 meteorological support, including advanced forecasting models, on-site observation capabilities, and integration with air traffic management systems. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a significant purchaser of such services, and contract values can range widely based on these factors. This award appears substantial, reflecting the critical nature of weather information for aviation safety and efficiency at a busy hub.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for weather services supporting a major airport, typical KPIs would likely focus on the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts, the reliability of data dissemination, and the responsiveness of the contractor to critical weather events. For instance, SLAs might define acceptable margins of error for temperature or precipitation forecasts, maximum allowable time for delivering severe weather alerts, or uptime requirements for weather data feeds. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) generally mandates stringent performance standards for aviation-related services to ensure safety and operational continuity.

What is the track record of Pacific Weather Inc. in providing similar meteorological services to government agencies?

Information on Pacific Weather Inc.'s specific track record with government agencies, beyond this particular contract, is not detailed in the provided data. However, being awarded a contract of this magnitude by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggests they possess the necessary qualifications, experience, and capacity to deliver specialized meteorological services. Government contracting databases often contain past performance information, which would have been evaluated during the procurement process. A deeper dive into federal procurement records would likely reveal other contracts awarded to Pacific Weather Inc. and potentially client feedback or performance ratings, offering a more comprehensive view of their history.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided data summary does not indicate any significant challenges, disputes, or contract modifications for WA-08-1791 awarded to Pacific Weather Inc. The contract appears to have been completed within its original timeframe (March 2008 - November 2013) and without major reported issues. Government contract performance databases sometimes flag modifications, claims, or termination notices, none of which are present in this summary. Assuming the data is complete for this overview, it suggests a relatively smooth execution of the contract.

How did the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type influence the cost and risk for both the government and the contractor?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type establishes a set price for the defined scope of work, making it advantageous for the government in terms of cost predictability. The contractor, Pacific Weather Inc., assumes the primary risk for cost overruns. If their costs to provide the weather services exceed the agreed-upon price, their profit margin decreases or they could incur a loss. Conversely, if they manage their costs efficiently, their profit increases. For the government, the FFP structure minimizes the risk of unexpected cost increases, provided the scope of work is well-defined and does not require significant changes. This structure incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently and control their expenses.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 012 VOGT RD, PORT ANGELES, WA, 06

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,033,833

Exercised Options: $16,617,722

Current Obligation: $16,617,722

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline