NOAA Awards $2.55M for Technical Support to Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,554,832 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Technical and Engineering Support Alliance, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-06-16

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,931 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/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 THE MIAMI, FLORIDA LABORATORY FOR NOAA FISHERIES, SOUTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33101

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.6 million to TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ALLIANCE, LLC for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MIAMI, FLORIDA LABORATORY FOR NOAA FISHERIES, SOUTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Technical and Engineering Support Alliance, LLC for essential lab support. 2. Spending supports critical scientific research for NOAA Fisheries in Miami. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 4. The contract duration extends to September 2026, indicating long-term needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.55M over approximately 5 years appears reasonable for specialized technical support services. Benchmarking against similar NOAA contracts for scientific support would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows a broad range of qualified vendors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at the best possible price for essential scientific research.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and research capabilities of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Supports data collection and analysis crucial for marine resource management. Provides employment opportunities within the scientific and technical support sector in Florida.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical support services.

Positive Signals

Supports vital scientific research for NOAA.
Awarded through full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Spending benchmarks for similar NOAA support contracts would be useful for detailed comparison.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis could explore opportunities for small business subcontracting within this larger award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts should apply.

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 contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
No small business participation noted.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of support.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical scientific operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.6 million to TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ALLIANCE, LLC. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MIAMI, FLORIDA LABORATORY FOR NOAA FISHERIES, SOUTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ALLIANCE, 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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-16. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific breakdown of technical support tasks covered by this contract?

The contract covers general technical support services for the Miami laboratory. Specific tasks likely include IT support, equipment maintenance, data management, and potentially research assistance. A detailed statement of work would clarify the exact responsibilities and ensure alignment with the laboratory's scientific objectives.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of the contractor's performance?

Effectiveness is likely measured through adherence to service level agreements (SLAs), timely issue resolution, quality of technical assistance provided, and overall contribution to the smooth operation of the laboratory. Regular performance reviews by NOAA would assess these KPIs.

Are there any identified risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost escalation if not carefully monitored. NOAA must ensure robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and materials, and clear scope management to prevent budget overruns and ensure value for money.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

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: 15850 CRABBS BRANCH WAY STE 380, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20855

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,521,039

Exercised Options: $5,521,039

Current Obligation: $2,554,832

Actual Outlays: $856,441

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M418DNFFK0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline