Commerce awarded $22.1M for engineering services, with CSRA LLC as the prime contractor
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,174,585 ($22.2M)
Contractor: Csra LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2003-09-26
End Date: 2012-02-03
Contract Duration: 3,052 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SUITLAND ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $22.2 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: SUITLAND ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's duration of over 8 years suggests a long-term need for these engineering services. 2. A single delivery order under this contract indicates a focused scope of work. 3. The Time and Materials pricing structure can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed. 4. The contract was awarded competitively, which generally supports better pricing and value. 5. The prime contractor, CSRA LLC, has a significant presence in the federal IT and engineering services market. 6. The geographic location of performance in Maryland aligns with federal agency presence in the region.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $22.1 million over an 8-year period represents a moderate investment for engineering services. Benchmarking against similar long-term engineering support contracts within NOAA or the broader Department of Commerce would provide a clearer picture of value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered and do not escalate beyond reasonable market rates for the specialized engineering expertise provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of bids received, are not provided in the summary data. However, a full and open competition generally fosters a more robust price discovery process and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award suggests that taxpayer funds were likely used more efficiently, as the government had multiple options to choose from, driving down costs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely NOAA and other Department of Commerce agencies requiring specialized engineering and technical support. The services delivered are engineering services, crucial for the operational and developmental needs of oceanic and atmospheric programs. The geographic impact is primarily in Maryland, where the contract was performed. The contract supports a workforce of engineers and technical specialists, contributing to specialized federal employment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials pricing structure if not managed effectively.
- Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced flexibility for the agency over time.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for a significant period may limit exposure to innovative solutions from other vendors.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process suggests a fair market approach and potential for cost savings.
- The prime contractor, CSRA LLC, is an established entity with experience in federal contracting.
- The contract addresses a clear need for engineering services within a key federal agency (NOAA).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports a wide range of government functions, from defense and infrastructure to research and development. Federal spending in engineering services is substantial, reflecting the government's reliance on specialized expertise for complex projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against other NOAA or Department of Commerce contracts for similar engineering support.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, CSRA LLC, would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their own business strategy and project needs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NOAA IT Support Services
- Department of Commerce Professional Services
- Federal Engineering Consulting Contracts
- IT and Engineering Services for Scientific Agencies
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Long contract duration may limit future flexibility.
- Potential for scope creep in T&M contracts.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-commerce, noaa, competitive-delivery-order, time-and-materials, maryland, csra-llc, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, federal-contracting, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $22.2 million to CSRA LLC. SUITLAND ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-26. End: 2012-02-03.
What was the specific scope of engineering services provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541330, 'Engineering Services.' While the specific scope isn't detailed, this typically encompasses a broad range of activities including design, development, consulting, and project management related to engineering disciplines. For NOAA, these services could relate to meteorological equipment, oceanic research vessels, satellite systems, or environmental monitoring infrastructure. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure suggests that the exact hours and materials needed may have been variable or difficult to predict at the outset, requiring flexibility in the contract's execution.
How does the $22.1 million award compare to other engineering service contracts within NOAA?
Without access to a comprehensive database of NOAA's engineering service contracts, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $22.1 million over an 8-year period ($2.76 million annually on average) represents a moderate-sized contract. NOAA, as a large agency with significant scientific and operational missions, likely awards contracts ranging from smaller, specialized task orders to much larger, multi-year programs. This contract's value would be considered typical for ongoing, specialized engineering support rather than a large-scale infrastructure project or major system acquisition. Further analysis would require benchmarking against contracts with similar service descriptions and durations.
What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?
The primary risk with a T&M contract is the potential for cost escalation if not managed rigorously. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs if project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or if the contractor's labor rates are not competitive. Effective oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, material invoices, and regular progress reporting, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment. The long duration of this contract amplifies the importance of sustained oversight.
What is the track record of CSRA LLC in delivering engineering services to the federal government?
CSRA LLC (now part of General Dynamics Information Technology) has a substantial track record in providing a wide array of IT and engineering services to various federal agencies. Historically, CSRA has been involved in large-scale IT modernization, cybersecurity, and mission support contracts. While specific performance details for this particular NOAA contract (awarded in 2003) are not detailed in the summary data, the company's longevity and continued presence in the federal contracting space suggest a generally positive performance history. Federal procurement data would offer more granular insights into past performance ratings and past performance questionnaires for similar contracts.
How has federal spending on engineering services evolved over the life of this contract (2003-2012)?
The period from 2003 to 2012 saw significant fluctuations in federal spending, influenced by factors such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, economic stimulus efforts, and evolving technological needs. Spending on engineering services, particularly those supporting defense, infrastructure, and scientific research, generally remained robust. For agencies like NOAA, engineering support is often tied to long-term scientific missions and infrastructure maintenance, suggesting a relatively stable demand. However, overall federal budget constraints and shifting priorities could have impacted the availability of funds for new engineering contracts or the expansion of existing ones during this timeframe.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)
Address: 7700 HUBBLE DR, LANHAM SEABROOK, MD, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,200,000
Exercised Options: $22,174,585
Current Obligation: $22,174,585
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0092K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-26
Current End Date: 2012-02-03
Potential End Date: 2012-02-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-05-22
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