DOT awards $5.6M for weather services, focusing on critical CWO operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,608,302 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Pacific Weather Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-12-04

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 300 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CWO CONTRACT. PER 2024 FAA REAUTHORIZATION SECTION 1013, CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE REQUIRES FAA TO USE BLI FUNDS EXPRESSLY FOR CWO. PER 49 CFR, PART 121, 135 IFR, AND 14 CFR PART 91 GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES OPERATIONS A

Place of Performance

Location: PORT ANGELES, CLALLAM County, WASHINGTON, 98362

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $5.6 million to PACIFIC WEATHER INC. for work described as: INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CWO CONTRACT. PER 2024 FAA REAUTHORIZATION SECTION 1013, CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE REQUIRES FAA TO USE BLI FUNDS EXPRESSLY FOR CWO. PER 49 CFR, PART 121, 135 IFR, AND 14 CFR PART 91 GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES OPERATIONS A Key points: 1. Contract supports essential weather data for aviation safety. 2. Funding is mandated by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization. 3. Focus on Critical Weather Operations (CWO) ensures vital services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost predictability. 5. Long-term contract duration (300 days) suggests ongoing need. 6. Pacific Weather Inc. is the awarded contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million for a 300-day period appears reasonable given the specialized nature of aviation weather services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for weather data provision and analysis would provide further context, but the specific mandate for Critical Weather Operations (CWO) suggests a critical need that may justify the investment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies a competitive process but with specific exclusions. Further details on the nature of these exclusions and the number of bidders would be necessary to fully assess the competition dynamics. However, the 'full and open' aspect suggests an intent to solicit broad participation.

Taxpayer Impact: While the specific competition level needs more clarity, the 'full and open' designation generally aims to ensure fair pricing for taxpayers by allowing multiple qualified vendors to bid.

Public Impact

Aviation safety is enhanced through improved weather information. Pilots and air traffic controllers benefit from more accurate forecasts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) receives critical weather data. Operations in Washington state are directly impacted by this contract. The aviation industry as a whole benefits from reduced weather-related disruptions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition metrics makes it hard to assess optimal value.
Potential for vendor lock-in if exclusions are overly restrictive.

Positive Signals

Mandated funding ensures critical weather operations are supported.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on meteorological services crucial for aviation. The market for specialized weather data and analysis is competitive, with key players providing essential information to government agencies and private industries. The FAA's spending in this area is significant, driven by the paramount need for flight safety.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or if there are opportunities for their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is primarily managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a component of the Department of Transportation. The firm fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public disclosure of the specific reasons for excluding sources in the competition.

Related Government Programs

FAA Weather Information Services
National Weather Service Contracts
Aviation Safety Programs

Risk Flags

Competition level requires further clarification.
Potential for performance-related safety risks.
Dependence on specific vendor capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $5.6 million to PACIFIC WEATHER INC.. INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR CWO CONTRACT. PER 2024 FAA REAUTHORIZATION SECTION 1013, CONGRESSIONAL MANDATE REQUIRES FAA TO USE BLI FUNDS EXPRESSLY FOR CWO. PER 49 CFR, PART 121, 135 IFR, AND 14 CFR PART 91 GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES OPERATIONS A

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 $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-04. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific services does Pacific Weather Inc. provide under this contract?

Under this contract, Pacific Weather Inc. is expected to provide services related to Critical Weather Operations (CWO). While the data doesn't detail the exact deliverables, CWO typically involves the monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of weather information critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic. This could include specialized forecasts, real-time weather alerts, data processing, and potentially the development or maintenance of weather-related systems used by the FAA. The funding is specifically earmarked for these CWO-related activities as mandated by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization.

How does the $5.6 million value compare to similar weather service contracts?

Direct comparison of the $5.6 million value is challenging without specific contract details and market benchmarks for similar CWO-focused services. However, the duration of 300 days suggests a significant scope of work. The FAA, as a major consumer of weather data, often enters into multi-year agreements. The value should be assessed against the criticality of CWO, the specific technical requirements, and the number of bidders involved in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process. If the exclusions were minimal and multiple bids were received, this price point could represent good value for essential safety services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential over-reliance on a single provider if competition was indeed limited despite the 'full and open' designation. Performance risk exists, as any failure in weather data accuracy or timeliness could have severe safety implications for aviation. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen operational complexities or data acquisition challenges. Finally, the specific nature of the 'exclusion of sources' could introduce risks if it inadvertently limits the pool of highly qualified vendors.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar weather services by the FAA?

The FAA has a consistent history of investing in weather services to ensure aviation safety. Spending in this area typically involves contracts for data acquisition, processing, forecasting, and dissemination. While specific figures for CWO-related contracts are not provided, the FAA's overall budget for weather systems and services runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This $5.6 million award represents a portion of that larger investment, likely focused on a critical, mandated subset of weather operations.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' impact price discovery?

This award type suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad ('full and open'), certain sources were excluded. The impact on price discovery depends heavily on the rationale and scope of these exclusions. If only a few highly specialized vendors were eligible, the competitive pressure might be less intense than true full and open competition. However, if the exclusions were narrowly defined and multiple capable vendors still participated, it could lead to robust price discovery. The key is understanding why sources were excluded and how many bidders ultimately submitted proposals.

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: 102 VOGT RD, PORT ANGELES, WA, 98362

Business Categories: 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: $6,016,883

Exercised Options: $5,608,302

Current Obligation: $5,608,302

Actual Outlays: $1,983,945

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 6973GH23D00061

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline