FAA takes back $34,512 from five Alaska snow-removal purchase orders

The Federal Aviation Administration deobligated $34,512 across five Alaska snow-removal purchase orders between Oct. 1 and Oct. 5, as last winter's orders reached their end dates. Records show $119,434 still obligated, of which $109,325 has been paid.

Toghotthele Corporation's order for plowing and grading at the Nenana VOR, a ground radio beacon pilots navigate by, lost $24,487, leaving $12,049. Joshua Smith's order for sites in Kenai fell by $5,350; Tuai Mesui's order for Barrow facilities fell by $2,250; Alaska Resource Group LLC's order for the Talkeetna VOR, flight service station and Peters Creek NDB (another navigation beacon) fell by $2,100; Caddo Construction LLC's order for the Anchorage CMF fell by $325.

Three records describe the returned money as unused. Four of the five orders are follow-ons, and the Kenai and Barrow orders were meant to avoid a lapse in service. None of the records explain why the full amounts went unneeded.

No orders for this winter have been posted yet. Last winter's orders were issued Oct. 29 and 30, 2025.