NOAA awards $2.8M for foreign affairs support, highlighting international engagement in scientific services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,825,497 ($2.8M)

Contractor: International Business Sales and Services Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2020-09-10

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,846 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOAA/NMFS/OIASI - FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.8 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP for work described as: NOAA/NMFS/OIASI - FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.8M over 5 years suggests a steady need for specialized international support. 2. The award to International Business Sales and Services Corp indicates a focus on established expertise. 3. A 'full and open competition' suggests a competitive process was utilized, potentially driving value. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code points to a broad range of potential activities. 5. The contract's duration of 1846 days (approx. 5 years) indicates a long-term requirement. 6. The use of 'Time and Materials' pricing may introduce cost variability depending on effort expended.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.8M over approximately five years averages to about $565,000 annually. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the competitive award process suggests that pricing was evaluated against market rates. The 'Time and Materials' contract type introduces some risk of cost escalation if not closely managed, but it can also be appropriate for services where the scope is not fully defined upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders (no: 3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While not a large number, it implies that multiple firms were interested and capable of meeting the requirements, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures a reasonable selection.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for the services required.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, receiving essential support for its international scientific and diplomatic missions. Services delivered likely encompass a range of activities supporting foreign affairs related to NOAA's scientific and environmental mandates, such as facilitating international collaborations, managing agreements, or providing technical expertise abroad. The geographic impact is global, supporting NOAA's international engagement and operations worldwide. Workforce implications may involve specialized personnel with expertise in international relations, science diplomacy, and specific scientific fields relevant to NOAA's mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing if not diligently managed.
Scope creep could increase costs if not clearly defined and controlled.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical international support functions.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance across a potentially broad range of services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
Contract duration of nearly five years provides stability for NOAA's international operations.
Contractor has secured a federal contract, indicating a level of established capability.
The contract supports critical international scientific and environmental missions for NOAA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically NAICS code 541990. This broad category includes establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized professional, scientific, or technical services not elsewhere classified. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing areas like research and development, consulting, and technical support. NOAA's spending in this area likely supports its extensive international research, environmental monitoring, and climate science initiatives, where collaboration and expertise across borders are crucial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, International Business Sales and Services Corp, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion, and there is no specific indication of small business participation mandated by this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce. As a 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract vehicle, specific oversight mechanisms would be detailed in the parent contract and the delivery order itself. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would involve performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and financial reporting. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's IG.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific and Technical Support Services
Department of Commerce International Programs
Federal Scientific Research and Development Contracts
Global Environmental Monitoring Support
International Scientific Collaboration Facilitation

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Broad NAICS code may indicate a wide range of potential services, requiring clear task order definitions.
Limited number of bidders (3) could suggest niche expertise or market concentration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.8 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP. NOAA/NMFS/OIASI - FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP.

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 $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-10. End: 2025-09-30.

What specific types of foreign affairs support services does International Business Sales and Services Corp provide under this contract?

The contract description 'FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUPPORT SERVICES' and the NAICS code '541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' suggest a broad scope. These services likely involve supporting NOAA's international engagements, which could include facilitating diplomatic relations related to scientific research, managing international agreements, coordinating cross-border environmental initiatives, providing technical expertise for foreign partners, or assisting in international scientific conferences and workshops. The exact nature of the services would be detailed in the specific task orders issued against this contract, but they are fundamentally tied to NOAA's mission in the global arena.

How does the $2.8M contract value compare to similar NOAA contracts for international support services?

Comparing the $2.8M value requires context on the duration and scope of similar NOAA international support contracts. This contract spans approximately five years, making its annual value around $565,000. NOAA engages in numerous international scientific and environmental programs, each potentially requiring different levels of support. Without a benchmark of comparable five-year contracts for similar services, it's difficult to definitively state if $2.8M is high or low. However, the value suggests a significant, ongoing need for specialized international liaison and support, rather than a short-term project.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for this foreign affairs support?

The primary risk with a T&M contract is the potential for cost overruns if the level of effort is not carefully managed and controlled. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This means that if the scope of work expands, or if the contractor is less efficient than anticipated, the total cost to NOAA could exceed initial projections. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of labor hours and expenses are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What is the track record of International Business Sales and Services Corp in providing federal foreign affairs or scientific support services?

Information on the specific track record of International Business Sales and Services Corp for federal foreign affairs or scientific support services would typically be found in their past performance evaluations within federal procurement databases. As they were awarded this contract through full and open competition, it implies they met the qualification criteria and demonstrated capability. Further analysis would involve reviewing their contract history, client feedback (if publicly available), and any documented performance metrics on previous government contracts to assess their reliability and expertise in similar service areas.

How does the level of competition (3 bidders) impact the value received by taxpayers for this contract?

Having three bidders for this contract suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders generally lead to greater price competition and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, three offers still provide a basis for comparison and negotiation. It indicates that the market has at least a few capable providers interested in this type of specialized service. This level of competition is likely sufficient to prevent excessively high pricing and encourage the selected contractor to offer competitive terms, thereby benefiting taxpayers by ensuring a reasonable price for the required services.

What are the potential implications of this contract for NOAA's ability to conduct international scientific diplomacy?

This contract is likely crucial for NOAA's ability to conduct international scientific diplomacy effectively. Foreign affairs support services can facilitate communication, collaboration, and agreement-building with international partners on critical issues like climate change, ocean conservation, and sustainable fisheries. By outsourcing or augmenting these support functions, NOAA can ensure that its scientific objectives are advanced through robust diplomatic channels, strengthening international relationships and enabling joint research and policy initiatives that benefit both the U.S. and the global community.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1110 BONIFANT ST SUITE 501, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned 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: $2,825,497

Exercised Options: $2,825,497

Current Obligation: $2,825,497

Actual Outlays: $1,555,918

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M418DNFFK0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline