Meteorological Forecasting Services

The State of Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Division of Procurement Services, on behalf of the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), is requesting quotations for meteorological forecasting services supporting statewide maintenance operations across five geographic regions, with quotations due August 23, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

This is a Master Agreement open to all Maine state departments and agencies with no guaranteed purchase volume. The initial term runs October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, with four optional one-year renewals extending through September 30, 2026. Vendors must employ meteorologists holding degrees from accredited institutions with minimum 10 years' general weather forecasting experience, minimum 5 years' pavement forecast modeling experience, and minimum 2 years' web-based and mobile application experience. Prior transportation weather forecasting experience for governmental agencies is required, along with three satisfactory references from transportation agencies or prior satisfactory MaineDOT service.

The scope includes 24/7/365 meteorologist consultation and support for approximately 50 crews statewide; Electronic Sensor Station / Road Weather Information Systems (ESS/RWIS) polling for seven existing stations with network expansion capability; web portal and mobile application access for up to 300 users; eight local area forecasts and RWIS-specific road forecasts; and severe weather reports and pre-storm briefings as needed. Cost responses must itemize ad-hoc consulting (hourly rate), monthly consultation support, one-time RWIS polling setup per station, ongoing monthly polling per station, monthly web portal and mobile app services including snow maps, monthly RWIS forecasts per station, monthly local area forecasts per area, and monthly severe weather and pre-storm briefing services.

The State reserves the right to award on best value rather than lowest price and may reject the lowest bidder if documented poor performance or prior contract termination occurred within five years. All quotations must remain valid for 180 days from bid opening. Submissions are due through the AdvantageME Vendor Self Service system and must include bid cover page, debarment certification, cost response form, municipality participation certification, vendor contact information, and an audit report if documents are electronically signed.