NOAA's National Geodetic Survey awards $6.5M IT support contract to Spatial Front Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,516,479 ($6.5M)
Contractor: Spatial Front Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2020-08-25
End Date: 2025-09-14
Contract Duration: 1,846 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY.
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $6.5 million to SPATIAL FRONT INC for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Spatial Front Inc. for IT support services. 2. The contract is for the National Ocean Service's National Geodetic Survey. 3. The total value is $6,516,478.97 over 1846 days. 4. This falls under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.5M over nearly 5 years for IT support services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions, but the per-year cost is approximately $1.3M.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it allows multiple vendors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices.
Public Impact
Ensures continued IT support for critical geospatial data and services. Supports the National Geodetic Survey's mission to define and maintain the U.S. spatial reference system. Potential for innovation in IT solutions for oceanographic and atmospheric research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type.
- Limited insight into vendor's specific technical capabilities.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.
- Supports a critical scientific agency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this sector is substantial across government agencies, supporting a wide range of functions from administrative to scientific research. Benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on complexity and scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, Spatial Front Inc., is not listed as a small business. Therefore, there is no direct small business participation evident in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and material costs to ensure adherence to the ceiling price and prevent overspending.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type increases cost risk.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep without clear definitions.
- Limited information on specific IT services provided.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $6.5 million to SPATIAL FRONT INC. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SPATIAL FRONT INC.
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 $6.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-25. End: 2025-09-14.
What specific IT support services are included in this contract, and how do they align with the National Geodetic Survey's current and future needs?
The provided data categorizes this as 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511). However, the specifics of the IT support are not detailed. Understanding whether this includes network management, software development, cybersecurity, data analysis support, or cloud services is crucial for assessing its alignment with the National Geodetic Survey's mission and technological roadmap.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured to ensure effective service delivery and value for money?
The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). For a Time and Materials contract, effective oversight requires clearly defined metrics related to response times, issue resolution rates, system uptime, and project completion milestones. Without these, it is challenging to objectively assess the contractor's performance and ensure taxpayer funds are being used efficiently.
How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to fixed-price or other contract types for similar IT support services, and what are the associated risks?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not closely managed, as the government pays for actual labor hours and materials. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M can be less predictable in terms of final cost. For IT support, fixed-price might be suitable for well-defined projects, while T&M is often used when the scope is less certain, requiring robust government oversight to control costs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305L220QNCNL0120
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6550 ROCK SPRING DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20817
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,999,807
Exercised Options: $9,999,807
Current Obligation: $6,516,479
Actual Outlays: $2,866,098
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0648Y
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-25
Current End Date: 2025-09-14
Potential End Date: 2025-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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