Sole Source Synopsis - NWS Climatological Weather Observations
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the Western Acquisition Division, intends to award a sole source contract to Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Inc. for weather observations and maintaining climatological records at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts. The contract will support the NOAA National Weather Service Eastern Region and involves continuing weather observations at a historical site that has operated continuously since 1885. The sole source justification centers on the unique circumstances where Blue Hill Observatory controls facility access, maintains the building and grounds through a long-term agreement with Massachusetts DCR, and provides the only acceptable personnel with authorized access to conduct observations. Interested parties who believe they can meet the requirements may submit written notification with substantiation documentation to the Contracting Officer at hannah.montoya@noaa.gov within ten calendar days of the August 5, 2025 posting date. All responding firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for any potential award.
This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and is structured as a direct sole source award to Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Inc., which has been the incumbent provider for the past 26 years based on updated correspondence from the organization's leadership. The contract structure includes one 12-month base period and one 12-month option period, providing a total potential performance timeline of 24 months. The solicitation emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining the continuous climatological record at this specific location, as moving the observations to any other site would compromise the integrity of the 140-year historical dataset. The procurement falls under NAICS code 541990 for professional, scientific, and technical services, with responses due by August 15, 2025. The government retains full discretion in determining whether to proceed with competitive procurement based on any responses received to this pre-solicitation notice.
142010-25-0083 Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
8/5/25, 6:49 PM Single Source Determination - NWS Climatological Weather Observations
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service Eastern Region has issued a single source determination for climatological weather observation services at Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts. The contract was awarded to Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Inc. on August 30, 2025, for providing continuous weather observations and maintaining climatological records at their facility. The sole source justification is based on the observatory's unique historical significance as the longest running weather observation site in New England, with continuous data collection dating back to 1885, making it irreplaceable for maintaining climate record integrity. The firm-fixed-price contract covers one 12-month base period and one 12-month option period, though the specific contract value was redacted from public disclosure. The weather data collected at this site supports NWS forecasters, engineering applications, and climate research, with the observatory's specific location, controlled access, and historical continuity being critical factors that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
1305M325P0246 Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
8/31/25, 12:06 PM Award Notice - NWS Climatological Weather Observations
The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Western Acquisition Division awarded a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Inc. for climatological weather observations and record maintenance services. The contract, valued at $73,200, includes a 12-month base period and one 12-month option period, providing weather observation services and maintaining climatological records at the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center in Milton, Massachusetts. These services support the NOAA National Weather Service Eastern Region's operations, with the contract awarded under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) authority on August 30, 2025.
1305M325P0246 Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
8/31/25, 12:23 PM