National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT

DTFAWA-06-X-00002

Between the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Weather Service

and the

Federal Aviation Administration

For

Operations, Maintenance and Planned Improvement of

Automated Surface Observing System

Agreement No.

DTFWA-06-X-02002

1.0 MUTUAL INTEREST

1.1 System Description

The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is of mutual interest to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). ASOS automatically collects weather data and provides accurate, surface observations to local weather observers, weather forecasters, airport personnel, pilots, air traffic control specialists (ATCSs), and other users. ASOS functions include measurement of weather elements, data processing and display, communication, and data storage (archiving). The ASOS modular construction allows deployment in a variety of configurations for operation with or without the attendance of a weather observer. The ASOS automatically collects, processes, error checks data, formats, displays, archives, and reports the weather elements included in a surface weather observation. These data typically include temperature, pressure, wind, precipitation, visibility, and sky condition.

1.2 External Interfaces

To provide the greatest benefit to the widest user community, ASOS interfaces with numerous other systems. ASOS interfaces are established jointly by the FAA and NWS. Changes to external interfaces are submitted to the ASOS Configuration Control Board (ACCB) and are adjudicated by the ASOS Program Management Committee (APMC). All interfaces are documented in baseline interface control documents (ICDs) to ensure system compatibility and performance capability.

1.3 External Data Sources

Additional weather data sources can be integrated with ASOS. Examples include: National Lightning Detection Network/Automated Lightning Detection and Reporting System (ALDARS) data, and New Generation Runway Visual Range. Additional data sources may be implemented in the future, subject to APMC approval.

1.4 Communications

ASOS communications consist of local and long-line communications and voice lines.

1.5 Aviation Service Standards

The FAA, in coordination with the aviation industry and the NWS has assigned one of four aviation service levels to each ASOS used for aviation. The FAA calculates service levels and publishes them annually.

2.0 REFERENCES AND AUTHORITIES

This Interagency Agreement covers basic terms, conditions, responsibilities, and working relationships under which ASOS Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Facilities and Engineering (F&E) services are to be provided and funded.

This Interagency Agreement constitutes an agreement between the Department of Transportation, FAA, and the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/NWS. The NWS enters this Interagency Agreement under 49 U.S.C. 44720 and the Department of Commerce Joint Project Authority, 15 U.S.C. 1525, which provides that the Department may enter into joint projects with public organizations on matters of mutual interest, the cost of which is equitably apportioned. The FAA enters this Interagency Agreement under 49 U.S.C. 44502 and 49 USC 106(1)(6). The FAA has an interest in ensuring that aircraft weather observation standards are maintained.

3.0 PURPOSE

This program is necessary and essential to further the missions of the FAA and NWS.

The purpose of this Interagency Agreement is to define responsibilities of the NWS and FAA with regard to the O&M and F&E of ASOS. This Interagency Agreement will:

• Formalize the basic requirements necessary to support the ASOS program

• Describe the understanding and agreement between the FAA and the NWS to meet these requirements

• Define roles and responsibilities for each agency including management, operations, maintenance, communications, life cycle and planned improvements.

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCIES

The ASOS program has completed the transition from development phase to operational phase. This Interagency Agreement addresses the ASOS as a joint program in which FAA and NWS will share responsibilities for requirements definition, program management, commissioning, operations, maintenance, planned improvement and life cycle support. The NWS and FAA agree to perform the following activities and provide the following resources in support of ASOS.

4.1 Requirements Definition

Each agency is responsible for defining operational requirements for ASOS. Requirements may be generated by either agency, but implementation of specific requirements must be jointly reviewed and approved for ASOS by the APMC. Specific responsibilities for implementation of configuration changes and planned improvements are determined on a case-by-case basis.

4.2 Program Management

The NWS and FAA shall jointly manage the ASOS program.

4.2.1 Program Management Committee

The APMC shall provide high-level oversight of the ASOS program. The APMC is chaired by the NWS (non-voting) and includes voting members from NWS, FAA and DOD. The APMC shall be the mechanism for introducing and recommending policy regarding ASOS. Each agency shall be responsible for submitting recommended policy for internal coordination. The charter of the APMC, which includes specific responsibilities, is provided as Appendix 1.

4.2.2 ASOS Configuration Control Board

All changes to the ASOS baseline shall be reviewed and recommended for approval/disapproval by an interagency ACCB. The ACCB operates under the authority of the APMC. For any additional ASOS purchases, coordination and participation in configuration audits shall include both the FAA (specific roles and responsibilities are defined in Appendix 1) and NWS.

4.2.3 ASOS Software Working Group

The ASOS Software Working Group (ASWG) is the established body of NWS, FAA, and DOD representatives chartered to review all software changes and to prioritize implementation of these changes based on urgency and availability of funds. The ASWG operates under the authority of the APMC.

4.3 Commissioning

ASOS commissioning is a mutually established NWS/FAA process governed by the

ASOS Site Component Commissioning Plan dated July 1996, and its modifications and waivers.

4.4 Operations

Aviation requirements for safety and operational parameters are developed by FAA. Meteorological requirements for forecasting, generating warnings and collecting weather data for climate research are developed by NWS.

4.5 Quality Control

The quality control of ASOS observations includes identification of sensor malfunction and communication system failures, assessment of consistency between the elements of the automated observation and the operational environment, and assurance of the availability and accuracy of both weather data and human augmentation/backup (including editing format compliance). Quality control responsibility is assigned in accordance with agency requirements.

4.6 Telecommunications Responsibilities

Each agency is responsible for providing ASOS local and long-line telecommunications, and external data communications services based on specific agency requirements. As a minimum, this shall include a dedicated dial-in line for maintenance monitoring or dedicated telecommunication lines used for remote displays, and long-line communications for dissemination of Meteorological Aviation Routine (METAR) and Special (SPECI) observations.

4.7 Maintenance

The NWS shall have responsibility for logistics support and performance of site, depot, and facility maintenance for NWS and FAA ASOS. Maintenance policy, philosophy and responsibilities are jointly approved and documented in the NWS Weather Service Policy Directive 30-2111, dated August 29, 2003, “Maintenance, Logistics, and Facilities Systems/Equipment Maintenance, NWSPD 30-21 (referenced in Appendix 4). This document defines maintenance philosophy, restoration requirements, maximum outage times, and the organizational structure required to perform these functions on ASOS. The NWS directive, 30-2111 will be reviewed and approved each year by the FAA and NWS.

4.8 Performance Reporting

The NWS agrees to provide performance reports to the FAA and APMC on a quarterly basis to allow effective monitoring of ASOS operational availability, maintenance restoration times, line replaceable unit (LRU) reliability, and costs. The performance reporting will delineate the performance standards identified in NWS directives and will be provided in accordance with Appendix 2, Maintenance and Operation of ASOS.

4.9 Life Cycle Support

Life cycle support responsibilities consist of configuration management, second-level engineering (hardware/software), logistics support, and disposal. NWS shall perform configuration management of ASOS. This includes managing configuration identification, site-specific configurations, baseline functionality, site audits, system modifications, change requests, and documentation. NWS shall sustain the logistics infrastructure necessary to support all ASOS during the life cycle of the program. NWS and FAA are collectively responsible for system change implementation and ensuring all logistics elements are addressed in the change control process. NWS, in coordination with FAA, shall develop and implement disposal plans and relevant cost-share agreements as required.

4.10 Configuration Changes

Site relocations and configuration changes shall be governed by the ACCB through the change control process.

4.11 Planned Improvement Program

In order to refresh technology and prolong the system’s life, the NWS and FAA have undertaken a planned improvement program. In addition to extending the system’s life, this improvement program will enhance the overall capabilities of ASOS. To provide for consistency of data and allow for cost effective maintenance, logistics, and training, it is necessary that all ASOS sites in the National Airspace System (NAS) operate using the same hardware/software upgrades and external data sources. This Interagency Agreement provides for joint planning, management, and funding to sustain future systems. Planned improvement status and cost/schedule reporting will be provided by the NWS monthly to the FAA in a mutually agreed upon format.

4.11.1 Planned Improvement Approval

All changes to ASOS shall be under the guidance of the APMC and the ACCB. All changes to the ASOS shall be implemented as specified in approved change requests. The NWS shall perform testing of system improvements and modifications as required. The NWS shall inform the FAA of formal acceptance testing in advance, through the change control process, to allow the FAA to participate and monitor test activities. The advanced notice is necessary to provide the FAA the opportunity to review and comment on related test plans and procedures. Copies of formal test reports and test data will be distributed to the ACCB and APMC members at the next scheduled meeting.

5.0 EQUITABLE APPORTIONMENT AND COST REIMBURSEMENT

NWS and FAA shall jointly work to develop O&M and F&E budgets. The costs of this activity are equitably apportioned, i.e. the costs borne by each party are relative to the benefits received by the party. The FAA and NWS will schedule APMC agenda items as necessary to discuss proposed changes to the ASOS program costs. Based on guidance provided by the APMC, the NWS shall provide updates to the O&M and F&E budget plans (provided in Tables 1 and 2) each March covering the next fiscal year and projections for the remaining years. These budgets will be used by both agencies to support their budget submission process. FAA organizations (identified in Appendix 2) will be responsible to review and approve O&M and F&E budgets.

5.1 Limitation of Funds

The FAA’s liability to make operations and maintenance (O&M) payments to NWS for continued ASOS maintenance is limited to the amount of funds obligated hereunder. The period of allotment for this funding is through September 30, 2006.

The FAA’s liability to make facilities and equipment (F&E) payments to NWS for planned improvements is limited to the amount of funds obligated through modifications made to this agreement subject to availability of funds. Periods of allotment will be indicated in subsequent F&E obligations.

For fiscal years 2007 through 2010, the interagency agreement is subject to the availability of funds for continued performance. The period of allotment will be established for the funds obligated.

Funding with associated accounting and appropriation data is shown in the FAA Prism obligation documents.

5.2

5.2.1 Operations and Maintenance Costs

NWS operations and maintenance costs include the following: facility maintenance, system-level preventive and corrective maintenance, depot-level repair, reconditioning, shipping and stocking. Excluded from NWS O&M funding are the costs for road, landscaping and fence repairs. Facility, system-level site, and depot maintenance costs are equitably allocated to each agency in proportion to the number of systems sponsored. Central operations and maintenance services include those functions providing equal benefit to both agencies such as integrated logistics support, system monitoring and maintenance management, and regional headquarters maintenance support. These costs shall be allocated equally on a 50/50 cost share basis. FAA operations and maintenance costs are provided through FAA O&M funds.

Costs associated with O&M changes include such areas as: software/hardware second-level engineering, configuration management, and facilities management. Site specific costs address functions defined as for specific facilities and special site specific equipment requirements. Changes are approved by the ACCB and the APMC based on funding level. The infrastructure resource costs to develop the changes are shared equally on a 50/50 cost share basis between the agencies. Implementation of change requests shall be paid for by the respective agency according to the number of systems affected.

5.2.2 Planned Improvement Costs

Planned improvement costs include technology refreshment, supportability changes, sensor upgrades/improvements, and program changes necessary to meet new agency requirements. Proposed changes to the system are adjudicated by the ACCB/APMC and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis as documented in change requests. In general, costs for common requirements development activities such as prototyping, testing, software development, and documentation revision shall be shared equally on a 50/50 cost share basis between the agencies. Acquisition management and deployment costs such as initial provisioning, site preparation, retrofitting, and acceptance shall be shared in proportion to the number of systems each agency sponsors. FAA planned improvement costs are provided through FAA facilities and equipment funds.

5.3  Uncompensated Services

6.0 CONTACTS

The points of contact for the oversight of this agreement are identified in Appendix 3.

7.0 PERIOD OF AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION/TERMINATION

7.1 This Interagency Agreement will become effective when signed by all parties and will remain in effect until September 30, 2006. The instant interagency agreement will not extend beyond September 30, 2006, without prior approval of the FAA Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In the event that CFO approval is not obtained, the FAA will not be liable for expenditures incurred beyond September 30, 2006. With CFO approval, a modification authorizing continued performance will be issued by the Contracting Officer and the agreement will continue uninterrupted in accordance with the remaining terms and conditions of the agreement. This provision is for the period ending September 30, 2006. In the event that there is conflict between this and other provisions in the agency agreement, this special provision takes precedence.

7.2 This Interagency Agreement may be modified by written agreement of the parties. Changes and/or modifications to this Interagency Agreement shall be in writing and signed by FAA and NWS signatories. The modification shall cite the Interagency Agreement and shall set forth the exact nature of the change and/or modification. No oral statement by any person shall be interpreted as modifying or otherwise affecting the terms of this Interagency Agreement.