NOAA seeks small-business bids to operate its Fairbanks satellite ground station

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration posted a solicitation Thursday seeking a company to operate and maintain its Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station. Proposals are due Nov. 9 at 2 pm Eastern time (10 am in Alaska).

The Fairbanks station backs up NOAA's primary geostationary satellite ground station, the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station in Virginia. NOAA has called the Fairbanks station a national critical asset that must operate continuously, including during severe weather and natural or human-caused disasters.

The contract is set aside entirely for small businesses, and bidders must hold an active Facility Clearance from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.

The notice lists no estimated contract value. NOAA awarded the prior contract to Netcentric Technology LLC in 2022, worth about $44.2 million over a base year and four option years, with a reported potential value of up to $52.6 million. That contract covered satellite mission operations, facilities maintenance, information-technology support, security, logistics and other services.

NOAA labels the notice a draft pending final review but anticipates no material changes. Questions are due Oct. 23 at 3 pm Eastern time.