Transportation's FAA awards $9.2M contract for weather support services to Vero Technical Support, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,211,266 ($9.2M)

Contractor: Vero Technical Support, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-07-09

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 326 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.3K/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 2

Place of Performance

Location: PENSACOLA, ESCAMBIA County, FLORIDA, 32504

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $9.2 million to VERO TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INC for work described as: CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2 Key points: 1. Contract value of $9.2M over 326 days suggests a significant investment in weather support. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 4. The service category 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is broad, requiring further detail on specific deliverables. 5. The contract duration of 326 days is relatively short-term, suggesting potential for follow-on work or evolving needs. 6. The geographic location of the contractor in Florida may have implications for service delivery and local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $9.2M contract is challenging without specific details on the services provided. However, the duration of 326 days implies a daily expenditure of approximately $28,255. This figure needs to be compared against the cost of similar weather support services, considering the complexity and scope of the requirements. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an attempt to manage cost overruns, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered by Vero Technical Support, Inc.

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,' which implies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible prospective contractors, but certain sources were excluded for specific reasons. The number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical weather support services. The services delivered are essential for aviation safety and operational efficiency within the National Airspace System. The geographic impact is national, as weather data and support are crucial for air traffic control across the United States. The contract supports the workforce of Vero Technical Support, Inc., potentially creating or maintaining jobs in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's track record and the effectiveness of the services.
The broad service category 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could mask potential performance issues if not clearly defined.
The exclusion of sources in a full and open competition warrants further investigation to ensure fairness and prevent anti-competitive practices.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition indicates an effort to leverage market competition for best value.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating budget risks.
The contract is awarded to a specific entity, Vero Technical Support, Inc., suggesting they met the required qualifications.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to meteorological and weather support. This sector is vital for numerous government operations, including aviation, defense, and disaster management. The market for such services is competitive, with various firms offering specialized expertise. The FAA's spending in this area is critical for maintaining the safety and efficiency of air travel, and contracts like this are benchmarked against industry standards for meteorological consulting and data analysis.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a specific set-aside. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, depending on whether Vero Technical Support, Inc. engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services not covered by their core capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Contracts
Aviation Weather Systems
Air Traffic Control Support Services
Meteorological Consulting Services
Federal Aviation Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusions.
Lack of specific performance metrics in award data.
Broad service category may obscure specific risks.
Contract duration is relatively short-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $9.2 million to VERO TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INC. CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VERO TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-09. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific weather data and analytical services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) for the 'CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2'. However, it does not detail the specific services. These could range from real-time weather monitoring and forecasting for aviation, analysis of meteorological data for flight planning, development of weather-related decision support tools, to providing specialized meteorological expertise for air traffic management. Understanding the precise deliverables is crucial for assessing the contract's value and performance.

How does the daily cost of approximately $28,255 compare to similar weather support contracts awarded by the FAA or other agencies?

A daily expenditure of $28,255 (derived from $9.2M over 326 days) for weather support services requires careful benchmarking. Without specific service details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, this daily rate should be evaluated against contracts for meteorological consulting, data analysis, and forecasting services procured by agencies like NOAA or the Department of Defense. Factors such as the level of expertise required, the criticality of the data, the technology involved, and the geographic scope of service delivery would influence comparable rates. A higher rate might be justified for highly specialized, real-time, or mission-critical support.

What is the track record of Vero Technical Support, Inc. in providing weather-related services to the federal government?

Information on Vero Technical Support, Inc.'s specific track record in providing weather-related services is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capability, one would need to examine their past performance on similar federal contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules, and quality of deliverables. A review of their contract history, any past performance evaluations, and their demonstrated expertise in meteorological services would be necessary to gauge their reliability and effectiveness for this $9.2M contract.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type suggests that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential bidders were intentionally excluded. The risks here lie in understanding the rationale for these exclusions. If the exclusions were not well-justified or based on arbitrary criteria, it could limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices or less optimal solutions for the government. It also raises questions about fairness and equal opportunity for all qualified vendors. A thorough review of the justification for exclusions is warranted.

How will the effectiveness of the 'CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2' be measured and ensured?

The effectiveness of the 'CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2' will be measured through the performance standards and deliverables outlined in the contract with Vero Technical Support, Inc. The FAA's program managers and contracting officer will be responsible for monitoring the contractor's adherence to these requirements. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the accuracy, timeliness, and utility of the weather information provided are likely to be established. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms will be crucial for ensuring the services meet the FAA's operational needs and contribute to aviation safety.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2' or similar weather support services by the FAA?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for 'CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 2' or similar weather support services by the FAA, one would need to analyze historical contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve looking at the total amount spent on such services, the number of contracts awarded, the primary contractors, and trends in contract values. Such an analysis would reveal whether this $9.2M award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in weather support capabilities.

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

Parent Company: Vero Technical Support Inc

Address: 4211 MAYGARDEN RD, PENSACOLA, FL, 32504

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,211,266

Exercised Options: $9,211,266

Current Obligation: $9,211,266

Actual Outlays: $6,140,844

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH23D00055

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline