The Alaska Radar System’s 15 remote radar sites (primarily AN/FPS-117 SEEK IGLOO and AN/FPS-124 SEEK FROST radars), serve aviation needs, and also act as the North Warning System for the USA. Upgrades are underway to keep FPS-117s running until 2025.
Keeping them running is a job for ARCTEC, who has also handled contracts related to the USA’s more advanced BMEWS and PAVE PAWS early warning radars, one of which is located at Clear Air Force Station, AK. This article covers ARS maintenance contract orders from the FA5000-04-C-0011 contract’s beginning in 2004 to its final period in 2014.
Contracts & Key Events
Unless otherwise noted, US Pacific Air Forces at Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK issues the contracts to the ARCTEC Alaska joint venture at Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK.
ARCTEC’s partners are ASRC Federal Holding Company subsidiary World Technical Services, Inc. (WTSI), and the Canadian firm ATCO’s Structures and Logistics division. Founded in 2003, ASRC is the largest of the 13 Alaska Native regional corporations, representing the Inupiat Eskimos of Alaska’s North Slope.
Sept 16/13: A $39.3 million contract modification for the operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System, which is pegged at 15 sites. A subsequent modification will be executed to obligate FY 2014 operations and maintenance funds on Oct 1/13.
Work will be performed out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK with an expected completion of Sept 30/14. The contracting activity is the 673rd Contracting Squadron/LGCZ (FA5000-04-C-0011, PO 0366).
Sept 17/12: A $38.6 million contract modification for the operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System. The contract will run until Sept 30/14 (FA5000-04-C-0011/ PO 0319).
Sept 15/11: A $37.5 million firm-fixed-price award fee with cost-reimbursable and labor hour line items contract modification, for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 15 remote radar sites. No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed (FA5000-04-C-0011 / unspecified).
Sept 15/10: A $37.3 million contract modification for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 15 remote radar sites (FA5000-04-C-0011/ unspecified). No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed.
Sept 15/09: Down to 15. A $35.55 million contract for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 15 remote radar sites. At this time no money has been obligated. No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed. (FA5000-04-C-0011/ unspecified).
Sept 17/07: A $34 million contract option for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 17 remote radar sites. “At this time $42,538,969 has been obligated” (FA5000-04-C-0011/ unspecified).
Sept 15/06: A $33.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 17 remote radar sites. No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed (FA5000-04-C-0011/ unspecified).
Sept 15/05: A $33.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 17 remote radar sites. No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed (FA5000-04-C-0011/ PO 0025).
May 20/04: ARCTEC in Anchorage, AK receives a $35.7 million contract for 12 months operation and maintenance of the Alaska Radar System’s 18 remote radar sites. No funds have been committed; task orders will be issued as needed.
Solicitations began in September 2003, negotiations were complete in May 2004, and this contract’s base period will end in September 2005. The entire contract, however, appears to have a 10-year maximum if all option years are exercised. The 3rd Contracting Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK manages this contract (FA5000-04-C-0011).
Base contract
Additional Readings
* USAF (Jan 16/09) – Extraordinary people maintaining extraordinary locations
