UDOT- Backcountry Airstrip Weather Stations Solicitation

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is soliciting bids for Backcountry Airstrip Weather Stations through a competitive procurement process (Solicitation Number UDOT250231CN). The procurement seeks weather information systems designed for remote airstrips, capable of providing comprehensive meteorological data including wind speed, direction, temperature, dewpoint, humidity, altimeter setting, and density altitude. These weather stations must be solar or off-grid powered and capable of transmitting data via cellular or satellite communications, with the ability to generate METAR format reports and broadcast via radio frequency. The bid is structured for a five-year contract term, with bid opening on 3/19/2025 at 12:00 PM MDT and closing on 3/26/2025 at 2:00 PM MDT. Bidders are required to submit a point-by-point response to mandatory minimum requirements, provide detailed vendor information, and demonstrate technical capabilities specific to deploying weather monitoring equipment in rural, remote environments. The procurement will select the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on compliance with Utah Procurement Code and Administrative Code.

While the solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements, bidders must comply with Utah state procurement regulations. The weather stations are expected to be mounted on portable tripods to facilitate easy deployment by state forces or UDOT contractors, suggesting flexibility in vendor qualifications. The procurement falls under commodity codes for laboratory and scientific equipment, specifically measuring and observing instruments. Though no specific budget range is detailed in the available documentation, the comprehensive technical requirements suggest a sophisticated procurement targeting specialized meteorological equipment providers. The systems will be critical for providing advisory weather information to pilots in backcountry airstrip locations where traditional road weather information systems are insufficient, indicating a specialized and potentially high-value contract for advanced environmental monitoring technology.