Post by TCU 2U2 on Dec 3, 2014 9:51:31 GMT -5
As of December 3, 2014
Timeline of Events
Timeline since discovery of FAA plan to close CWO program
Federal Aviation Administration Contract Weather Observation Program
Timeline of Events
Timeline since discovery of FAA plan to close CWO program
Federal Aviation Administration Contract Weather Observation Program
January 24, 2013 – Revision of Standard Operating Procedures (version 2.4)
February 2, 2013 - Letter from Contracting Officer announcing 14 sites to go LAWRS on May 1, 2013. Direct result of 2.4 revision in SOP
March 5, 2013 – Power point file (FAA Western Region)
March 22, 2013 – 2 week CTWG schedule – rewrite of 7900.5c
March 26, 2013 – 107 Federal towers (June 1, 2013 - LAWRS training to begin) – hard drive replacement for CBI
March 28, 2013 – Screen shot from NWS brief
April 5, 2013 - List from NATCA of CWO transfer dates to LAWRS
April 11, 2013 - MOU between NATCA & FAA on LAWRS. Also DOT releases FY14 Budget Estimate, which indicates CWO program cut back, moved to LAWRS
April 18, 2013 - CWO Program Transition Plan discovered - dated March 15, 2013
April 30, 2013 - Initial Group of 14 airports go to tower (LAWRS) at midnight
May 1, 2013 - FAA reinstates 14 airports to CWO operations & extended all contracts to Sep 30, 2013 to allow for more input from stakeholders - current extension only to May 31, 2013
May 2, 2013 - The National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA) said Thursday that its members could be capable of monitoring the weather and flights at airports that do not have heavy airline traffic.
“With adequate training and staffing, air traffic controllers can take over Contract Weather Observer (CWO) functions at some of the medium to lower level air traffic facilities,” NATCA said.
“Safety is always the number one priority for air traffic controllers, whether the responsibility is separating planes or giving weather advisories,” the group continued. “We are not actively pursuing taking on the CWO duties, but we do understand that budgets are tight and shrinking, and that the FAA is looking for ways to do more with less.”
May 22, 2013 - Contracting officer announces that current contract extended to June 15, 2013 followed by performance of new contract to begin June 16, 2013
May 31, 2013 - FAA delays release of 2013 Industry Report, which is due no later than May 31. FAA discussing with CTWG as to a future release date. No reason given for delay
June 16, 2013 – 10 groups begin new contract, 7 groups remain on old contract, due in part to protests. Base year on new contract is 3.5 months, while protested groups are on another extension. Base year & extension all end on September 30, 2013.
July 5, 2013 – CWO SIR Enhanced Requirements (pdf presentation from headquarters)
July 22, 2013 – CWO SIR Enhanced Requirements for Facility Level Service Agreements (FLSA) is suspended until further notice
July 25, 2013 – Updated CWO SIR Enhanced Requirements for Facility Level Service Agreements (FLSA) to begin in early August
August 2, 2013 – Gulkana, AK CWO closed due to numerous OSHA violations. While violations were cited almost 1 year earlier by FAA, the employees were given 1 hour notice to vacate office
August 13, 2013 – NATCA announces on website that FAA ATO COO David Grizzle to leave position by end of year
August 15, 2013 – FAA Administrator Huerta hosts meeting with a dozen aviation stakeholders to discuss sequester issues in FY14. In outlining possible additional cuts to meet the required $697 million, a series of “bad choices” were discussed by the Administrator, including furloughs, deferring controller hiring, reductions in the efficiency of the system and shrinkage of services.
Specific examples of shrinking services identified by the Administrator included phased out funding for contract towers, flight service stations, and contract weather observers, with the explanation that "this allows FAA to target remaining resources to serve the largest number of passengers at the most utilized locations."
September 20, 2013 – Groups not awarded on June 16, 2013 (1,4,5,7,10,14,18) to receive at least a 1 month extension (to October 31, 2013).
Groups awarded on June 16, 2013 (2,3,8,9,11,12,13,15,16,17) to have 1st option year picked up (to September 30, 2014)
October 21, 2013 – Groups not awarded on June 16, 2013 (1,4,5,7,10,14,18) to receive at least a 1 month extension (to November 30, 2013).
Letter from Contracting Officer to vendors affected:
Due to the government shutdown, the FAA has not had sufficient time to determine who the next in line successive contractor will be for the remainder of the CWO contracts not yet awarded.
As you have been previously notified, the award of the CWO follow-on contracts has been delayed due to pending bid protests filed before the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA). ODRA has thus far sustained two of the protests.
The product team must determine that the new awards are consistent with and in accordance with the Findings and Recommendations in the ODRA decisions. This cannot be accomplished before the contract expires and has created the need for an interim provision of services. Therefore, the FAA wishes to extend your '08 CWO contract(s) through November 30, 2013
October 22, 2013 – As of October 1, FAA Contract Weather Observer program assumed responsibility for weather certification. Previously this was a National Weather Service responsibility.
December 1, 2013 – Groups 1,4,5,7,10,14,18 start up with new contractors
July 1, 2014 – Program office sends following notice to vendors:
Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP) for Contract Operations Group (AJT-21) Contract Weather Observer (CWO) Service Standard Change. AJT-21 plans to hold meetings at FAA Headquarters (FOB-10A) 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., in conference room 8A on July 8 and 9, 2014. Time is 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for both days.
The panel will consider the following topics that are part of the ASOS Service Standards Policy change.
• To provide weather data services in a more cost effective manner without compromising the
safety, capacity, or efficiency to the National Airspace (NAS).
• To provide human weather observation services at locations where the service will provide the most benefit to the NAS.
November 13, 2014 - JO 7900.5D released, and then rescinded several days later. JO 7900.5C remains in effect.
December 2, 2014 - Kim Curry, former Air Traffic Services, Executive Advisor, is now manager of the Contract Operations Group – COG (AJT-21), in Headquarters & plans to hold an introductory teleconference in the near future with topics of discussion to include expectations, conference scheduling and program improvements.