NOAA Awards $4.2M for Fisheries Technical Support, Competition Limited by Delivery Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,241,228 ($4.2M)
Contractor: A.I.S., Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2020-06-10
End Date: 2025-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,937 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA FISHERIES/NEFSC, AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY BRANCH (ASB) AND AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS&ECOLOGY BRANCH (ASEB)
Place of Performance
Location: NORTH DARTMOUTH, BRISTOL County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02747
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $4.2 million to A.I.S., INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA FISHERIES/NEFSC, AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY BRANCH (ASB) AND AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS&ECOLOGY BRANCH (ASEB) Key points: 1. Spending focuses on technical support for NOAA Fisheries' Aquaculture branches. 2. The contract was awarded via full and open competition. 3. Potential risks include the time and materials pricing structure. 4. The sector is professional, scientific, and technical services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $4.2M award for technical support services appears reasonable given the 5-year duration. However, the time and materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny for potential cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts for similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified vendors. The use of a delivery order under an existing contract mechanism may influence price discovery, but the initial competition is positive.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential technical support to NOAA Fisheries, contributing to scientific research and sustainability efforts.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational support for critical NOAA Fisheries research and sustainability programs. Supports scientific endeavors in aquaculture, potentially leading to advancements in sustainable practices. The contract duration of nearly 5 years provides stability for NOAA's programmatic needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns.
- Potential for scope creep given the nature of technical support services.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Long-term contract provides stability for NOAA's operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically supporting scientific research and technical operations for NOAA's fisheries and aquaculture programs. Benchmarks for similar technical support contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Oversight would focus on ensuring the technical support meets NOAA's requirements and that costs remain within allocated budgets.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Potential for scope creep
- Lack of small business participation data
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, ma, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $4.2 million to A.I.S., INC.. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA FISHERIES/NEFSC, AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY BRANCH (ASB) AND AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS&ECOLOGY BRANCH (ASEB)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A.I.S., 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 $4.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-10. End: 2025-09-29.
What specific technical support tasks are included in this contract?
The contract covers technical support for NOAA Fisheries' Aquaculture Sustainability Branch (ASB) and Aquaculture Systems & Ecology Branch (ASEB). Specific tasks likely include data analysis, system maintenance, research support, and potentially specialized scientific or IT assistance relevant to aquaculture research and operations.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure?
The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not closely monitored. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, which can escalate if tasks take longer than anticipated or if material costs increase.
How does this spending contribute to NOAA's overall mission effectiveness?
This spending directly supports NOAA's mission by ensuring the operational continuity and effectiveness of its aquaculture research and sustainability programs. The technical expertise provided under this contract is crucial for data management, scientific analysis, and the maintenance of essential systems, all of which are vital for informed decision-making and policy development in fisheries management.
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) › PROFESSIONAL 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: 14 BARNABAS ROAD, MARION, MA, 02738
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,635,099
Exercised Options: $8,635,099
Current Obligation: $4,241,228
Actual Outlays: $2,481,787
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M418DNFFK0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-10
Current End Date: 2025-09-29
Potential End Date: 2025-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-26
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