FAA Awards $2M Contract for Alaska Weather Operations Services to Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,995,714 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-07-09

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 326 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/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 9

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99502

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.0 million to ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC for work described as: CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 9 Key points: 1. The contract is for professional, scientific, and technical services related to weather operations. 2. The awardee, Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc., is the sole provider for this specific region. 3. The contract duration is 326 days, with a firm fixed price. 4. The spending is categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1,995,714.42 for 326 days suggests a daily rate of approximately $6,122. This appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized weather services, but a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult without more data.

Cost Per Unit: $6,122

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while competition was considered, specific circumstances limited the pool of bidders. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than a fully open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding specialized weather services for the FAA in Alaska. The limited competition raises questions about whether the best possible price was achieved.

Public Impact

Ensures critical weather data and services for aviation safety in Alaska. Supports the Federal Aviation Administration's operational needs in a challenging environment. The contract's success relies on the specialized expertise of the awarded company.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Potential single point of failure if the contractor cannot perform.

Positive Signals

Essential service for aviation safety in a remote region.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Specific regional expertise likely held by the contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically weather operations. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity and geographic scope of services required. The benchmark for similar contracts is difficult to ascertain without more specific data on the scope of work.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific contract award, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false and the 'sb' (small business) field is also false. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract will be crucial to ensure the quality and timeliness of weather services provided by Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc. The FAA's contracting officers will be responsible for monitoring performance and adherence to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price inflation due to limited competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of other sources.
Geographic isolation of Alaska may increase operational costs and risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.0 million to ALASKA WEATHER OPERATION SERVICES INC. CONTRACT WEATHER (CWO) PROGRAM AREA 9

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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific technical capabilities does Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc. possess that justify the limited competition and the contract value?

The provided data does not detail the specific technical capabilities of Alaska Weather Operation Services Inc. However, the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation suggests the agency identified unique qualifications or circumstances that limited the bidder pool. Further investigation into the justification for excluding other sources would be needed to understand the specific capabilities that commanded this contract value.

How does the daily rate of $6,122 compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized weather monitoring and reporting services in remote Arctic regions?

A direct comparison of the $6,122 daily rate to industry benchmarks is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered, equipment used, and the operational complexities of the Alaskan environment. While it appears reasonable on the surface, a thorough analysis would require benchmarking against contracts with similar geographic scope, service level agreements, and technological requirements.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of the weather data provided, given the critical nature of aviation safety?

The contract's effectiveness and reliability will depend on the FAA's performance monitoring and quality assurance processes. While not detailed in the provided data, standard government contracting includes performance standards, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance. The FAA's oversight team would be responsible for verifying the accuracy and timeliness of the weather information.

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: $1,995,714

Exercised Options: $1,995,714

Current Obligation: $1,995,714

Actual Outlays: $1,302,343

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH23D00062

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline