On May 16, 2022, NOAA awarded the Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station (FCDAS) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Support Services contract to Netcentric Technology, LLC based in Neptune, New Jersey. The value of the contract, which includes a base period of 12 months, with four 12-month option periods is $44,156,917. The period of performance begins on June 1, 2022.
NOAA maintains FCDAS in Fairbanks, Alaska for the primary purpose of acquiring meteorological and environmental data from polar-orbiting environmental satellites managed and/or operated by NOAA. This facility is NOAA’s primary data acquisition facility for its polar-orbiting operational environmental satellites. High northern latitude, elevation, and remote location are all characteristics of FCDAS that set it apart as the premier data acquisition site. FCDAS also acts as a backup in support of NOAA’s primary geostationary satellite ground station.
Historically, the FCDAS has been a government-owned, contractor-operated facility. As such, the U.S. Government requires contractor personnel with the appropriate skills to install, operate, and repair highly specialized satellite ground station equipment. The government also requires contractor personnel to carry out essential services to ensure the site’s buildings, vehicles, roads, and infrastructure are maintained in good condition in support of the satellite operations requirement.
The requirement includes administrative and other support duties, which include management; supervision; Information Technology (IT) administration and security; shipping and receiving; property management; document development and management; environmental, safety, and health management; configuration management; preparation of acquisition-related documents; performance and administrative reporting; planning assistance for future missions and site upgrades. Security guard services, facility maintenance, and janitorial services are also required. Netcentric Technology, LLC will provide these services for NOAA at FCDAS.
The FCDAS is a National Critical Asset and must remain in operation 24x7, including periods of inclement weather and emergencies such as natural and man-made disasters. Mission-essential functions must be maintained at all times, provided no serious hazards to personnel exist. Netcentric Technology, LLC will be a key partner with NOAA in disaster response and recovery plan development, exercise, and execution.