NIGP 96188: Weather Forecasting Services

NIGP 96188 Weather Forecasting Services is an Item code under which state and local governments procure automated weather observation equipment, real-time weather data delivery systems, and forecasting intelligence to support transportation operations, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety decision-making. The scope encompasses both capital equipment (weather stations, sensors, data collection systems) and recurring service contracts delivering alerts, forecasts, and environmental intelligence to maintenance and operations staff. Issuing bodies include state departments of transportation (primary buyer), municipalities, and special-purpose districts; the Georgia Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation are active repeat purchasers. Work ranges from one-time installation and integration projects to annual or multi-year service renewals with incumbent providers.

Recent activity spans Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. The Georgia Department of Transportation issued an electronic RFQ on April 8, 2026, for Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) commodities with a May 4, 2026, response deadline. The Illinois Department of Transportation renewed an Enhanced Weather Forecasting Services contract with incumbent vendor DTN, LLC, for $254,022.22 annually (effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027) under renewal notice posted March 4, 2026, with a March 19, 2026, response deadline. The City of DeBary, Florida, posted an irrigation system project (Solicitation 0315, due April 10, 2015) that included weather-related operational considerations but primarily addressed infrastructure installation rather than weather services procurement. State transportation departments dominate the market for weather forecasting and observational systems; incumbent vendors maintain multi-year renewals, signaling stable relationships but also indicating entry barriers for new competitors.