Centuria strengthens Weather Service radar network

Centuria Corp. will provide technical assistance to the National Weather Service under a 10-year task order that has a ceiling value of approximately $97 million.

The task order under the Veterans Technology Services governmentwide acquisition contract calls for Centuria to provide comprehensive life-cycle support for the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) network, which is operated by the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air Force.

The NEXRAD network of 167 weather radar sites is the foundation of all national weather forecasting. It collects data for extreme weather notification and safety systems, military operations, and emergency management systems.

NEXRAD data is also used by the FAA as an overlay on flight radar to enhance aircraft safety.

Under the terms of the task order, Centuria will support ongoing base operations and maintenance to the nation’s weather radar infrastructure. Specific services include systems integration, proprietary software development, systems and software testing, data management, and systems documentation.

The small business owned by service-disabled veterans also will provide engineering support for special projects, such as system improvements and possible radar relocation.

Centuria and its partner Serco Inc., have supported the center for more than 12 years.

The Radar Operations Center, at Norman, Okla., provides national and international weather radar data used by the Commerce, Defense, Transportation and of Homeland Security departments, as well as by radio and television stations across the country.

Centuria, of Dulles, Va., has 140 employees in 10 states. The company ranks No. 10 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Fast 50 list.