NOAA awards $4.97M for scientific and technical support, with Consolidated Safety Services Inc. winning the BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,973,542 ($5.0M)
Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-09-01
End Date: 2024-08-31
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SDI
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $5.0 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SDI Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope, though specific performance metrics are not detailed. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with the primary risk being the reliance on a single awardee for specialized services. 4. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or success metrics, but the contract supports critical NOAA functions. 5. This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, supporting scientific and technical needs. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not closely monitored.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.97 million over two years for scientific and technical support services seems reasonable for a government agency like NOAA. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting and technical support is difficult without more specific details on the services rendered. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent overruns. The award to Consolidated Safety Services Inc. under full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment during the bidding phase.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. The open competition suggests that NOAA sought the best value from a range of potential providers, which should theoretically lead to more favorable pricing and service offerings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for cost savings and improved service quality due to the competitive nature of the award process.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and its various scientific programs requiring specialized technical support. Services delivered include scientific and technical support crucial for environmental research and operational needs. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting NOAA's nationwide operations and research initiatives. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by Consolidated Safety Services Inc. and potential indirect support for NOAA's scientific staff.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized support could pose continuity risks if the contractor underperforms or faces issues.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
- The contract supports critical scientific and technical functions within NOAA.
- The contractor, Consolidated Safety Services Inc., has secured a significant federal contract, indicating a level of established capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Scientific and Technical Support Services category, specifically related to environmental consulting. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing numerous firms offering specialized expertise. NOAA's spending in this area is consistent with its mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific technical disciplines and scope of work required, but $4.97 million over two years for specialized support is within a typical range for federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Consolidated Safety Services Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily includes them in their subcontracting efforts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a sub-agency of the Department of Commerce. Specific oversight mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to the terms and conditions of the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General involvement would depend on specific triggers or ongoing reviews.
Related Government Programs
- Scientific Research and Development Support
- Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
- Technical Consulting Services
- NOAA Operational Support Contracts
- Federal Scientific Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials Pricing Structure
- Limited Performance Metrics Provided
- Potential for Cost Overruns
Tags
scientific-support, technical-support, environmental-consulting, department-of-commerce, noaa, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, bpa-call, consolidated-safety-services-incorporated, maryland, medium-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $5.0 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SDI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED.
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 $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2024-08-31.
What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services Inc. in performing similar scientific and technical support contracts for federal agencies?
Consolidated Safety Services Inc. (CSSI) has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily in areas related to safety, environmental services, and technical support. While specific details on their performance for NOAA's scientific and technical support services are not provided in this data, CSSI's ability to win a $4.97 million contract through full and open competition suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or commendations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record in delivering similar services. Their success in obtaining this BPA Call indicates they met the agency's requirements during the bidding process.
How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar scientific and technical support services procured by NOAA or other federal agencies?
Directly comparing the value of this $4.97 million contract is challenging without detailed service breakdowns and performance metrics. The contract is for 'Scientific and Technical Support Services' under a Time and Materials (T&M) structure, awarded to Consolidated Safety Services Inc. by NOAA. T&M contracts are inherently variable, making direct cost comparisons difficult as the final cost depends on the hours worked and materials used. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable NOAA or agency contracts with similar scopes (e.g., environmental consulting, data analysis, research support) and analyze their total value, duration, and the specific labor categories and rates involved. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests NOAA aimed for competitive pricing, but the ultimate value realization depends on efficient service delivery and cost management by the contractor.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which lacks a fixed ceiling on labor hours. Another risk is the potential for underperformance or failure to meet specific scientific and technical support needs if the contractor's expertise is not fully aligned with NOAA's requirements. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for specialized services could pose continuity risks. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust contract oversight by NOAA, including detailed monitoring of hours and expenses, regular performance reviews, clear communication channels, and potentially incorporating performance-based incentives or penalties within the contract framework, although these are not explicitly detailed here. The full and open competition aims to mitigate the risk of selecting a non-qualified vendor.
How effective is the current contract structure (BPA Call, Time and Materials) in ensuring NOAA receives optimal value for its investment in scientific and technical support?
The effectiveness of this contract structure hinges on NOAA's diligent contract management. A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call allows for streamlined ordering against pre-negotiated terms, which can enhance efficiency. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost control. Optimal value is achieved when NOAA closely monitors labor hours, material costs, and contractor performance against defined objectives. If NOAA effectively manages the T&M aspects, ensuring that hours billed are reasonable and necessary for the tasks performed, and if Consolidated Safety Services Inc. delivers high-quality, timely support, then good value can be realized. Conversely, weak oversight could lead to inflated costs without commensurate benefits, diminishing the value proposition.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar scientific and technical support services by NOAA or the Department of Commerce?
Historical spending patterns for scientific and technical support services by NOAA and the broader Department of Commerce (DOC) are substantial, reflecting the agencies' core missions. NOAA, in particular, relies heavily on external expertise for research, data analysis, environmental monitoring, and operational support across its various administrations (e.g., National Weather Service, National Marine Fisheries Service). While the specific figure of $4.97 million for this particular BPA Call is a snapshot, NOAA's overall budget allocation for scientific services and technical consulting typically runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually across numerous contracts. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in contract types (fixed-price vs. T&M), dominant service areas, key contractors, and spending fluctuations tied to specific research initiatives or operational demands. This contract represents a portion of that broader historical expenditure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting 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
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,973,542
Exercised Options: $4,973,542
Current Obligation: $4,973,542
Actual Outlays: $3,262,549
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCEA133C17BA0062
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-01
Current End Date: 2024-08-31
Potential End Date: 2025-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-28
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