NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OperationSILVER SPRING, MARYLAND 20910 Letter 3-89
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Operation
Date of Issue: March 30, 1989 Effective Date: March 30, 1989
In Reply Refer To: W/OSO14 File With: B-14
Subject: Use of Government Facilities and/or Equipment by SAWRS Cooperators
Reference(s) WSOM Chapter B-14, Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting Stations, TM 85-8, dated August 21, 1985.
When it is in the interest of the National Weather Service (NWS), arrangements may be made with a Supplemental Aviation Weather Reporting Station (SAWRS) Cooperator to allow the Cooperator to use NWS facilities and/or observation equipment to operate a SAWRS. An example of "in the interest of the NWS" would be where an NWS office is reducing routine hours of operation. In those cases where a SAWRS Cooperator is using NWS facilities and/or equipment to operate a SAWRS, the SAWRS observations must be made available to all users of the airport and, where appropriate, arrangements shall be made to disseminate the observations to NWS and Federal Aviation Administration facilities.
When using Government facilities, the SAWRS Cooperator shall be held reasonably accountable and responsible for the security of Government property and the personal property of NWS employees. To this end, Item 11 of Section I (Cooperator's part) of the Cooperative Agreement of Aviation Weather Observations (WS Form B-12) shall read: "Ensure the security of the National Weather Service (NWS) facility and equipment. The Cooperator shall be reasonably responsible and accountable for the damage or loss of Government property or NWS employees' personal property while the NWS office/equipment is being used in the SAWRS observation program. Access to the NWS facility/office shall be strictly controlled and limited only to persons approved by the NWS and then only for the purpose of taking and disseminating observations. The Cooperator and its employees are restricted to use of only that equipment necessary to perform and disseminate the observations. Dissemination of observations will be accomplished only through the use of specifically authorized telephones, personal computers, or other equipment as may be designated by the NWS. The Cooperator shall maintain strict control of and accountability for NWS office keys and/or lock codes; keys shall not be duplicated. The use of Government telephones is restricted to official Government business. Telephone charges to unauthorized numbers will be billed to the Cooperator. Failure to comply with these provisions will result in the immediate loss of the use of NWS facilities and equipment, and Government action to recover for any damages or losses."
To reduce the risk of Government liability with respect to SAWRS Cooperators, an Item 12 of Section I of WS Form B-12 will be added as follows: "Except as otherwise provided by law, the Government will not be responsible for the loss of or damage to the Cooperator's equipment, or death of or injury to the Cooperator's personnel."
Other local provisions, such as arrangements for dissemination, may be added when appropriate as additional items in the Agreement. Item 5, Section II, (the NWS part) of the Agreement should state what facilities and equipment the NWS is allowing the Cooperator to use and what the NWS will furnish to the Cooperator.
SAWRS agreements written after the effective date of this Operations Manual Letter shall contain the above security clause, if applicable. Existing agreements do not have to be changed, but if they are renewed, the above clauses shall be included.
When the above clauses are used in a SAWRS agreement, Items 1 and 2 of Section I (WS Form B-12) do not apply and should be stricken. Item 3 of Section I (WS Form B-12) should be amended to read: "Operate, and if necessary, protect, and maintain all instruments and equipment in accordance with National Weather Service specifications, except as listed under Government responsibility below."
Elbert W. Friday, Jr.
Assistant Administrator
for Weather Services