NOAA awards $7.55M for scientific and technical support, with Consolidated Safety Services Inc. winning a Time and Materials BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,551,922 ($7.6M)

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: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MSE

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $7.6 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MSE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Time and Materials contract type can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 3. The duration of 730 days indicates a medium-term need for these services. 4. The contract is a BPA Call, implying it's part of a larger Basic Purchasing Agreement. 5. The specific NAICS code (541620) points to environmental consulting services. 6. The awardee, Consolidated Safety Services Inc., has secured this contract through a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $7.55 million contract for scientific and technical support is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for services where the scope may evolve, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not exceed initial estimates. The award to Consolidated Safety Services Inc. through full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive price was achieved, but a detailed cost analysis would be needed to confirm value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The use of a BPA Call suggests this award is a task order under a pre-existing Basic Purchasing Agreement, which itself was likely competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from specialized scientific and technical support. Services provided likely contribute to environmental research, monitoring, and consulting efforts. The contract supports operations within Maryland, where the awardee is located. The contract may indirectly support a workforce skilled in environmental consulting and scientific analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the efficiency of the awarded services.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Consolidated Safety Services Inc. is a known entity, suggesting a degree of established capability.
The BPA Call mechanism can streamline future procurements for similar services.

Sector Analysis

The scientific and technical support services sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. This contract, falling under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services), is part of the larger professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This industry is characterized by a mix of large established firms and smaller specialized consultancies. Government spending in this area is crucial for agencies like NOAA to conduct research, environmental assessments, and provide expert advice. Benchmarks for similar environmental consulting contracts vary widely based on scope, duration, and required expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this particular BPA Call. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary focus appears to be on securing the necessary scientific and technical expertise through a competitive process, rather than specifically targeting small business prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency regarding performance metrics and expenditures would be key to assessing the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Basic Purchasing Agreements (BPAs)
Department of Commerce Contracts
NOAA Procurement

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to control costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Number of bidders not specified, limiting full understanding of competition intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $7.6 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MSE

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 $7.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-01. End: 2024-08-31.

What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated with federal contracts, particularly with NOAA?

Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated (CSSI) has a history of federal contracting, though specific details on their performance with NOAA require deeper investigation. A review of federal procurement databases would reveal the number and value of contracts CSSI has held with NOAA and other agencies. Analyzing past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would provide insights into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. Understanding their experience with similar Time and Materials BPA Calls is also crucial for assessing their suitability for this specific award. Without access to detailed performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond their existence as a federal contractor.

How does the $7.55 million award compare to typical spending for similar scientific and technical support services at NOAA?

Comparing the $7.55 million award to typical spending for similar services at NOAA requires access to historical spending data and contract databases. NOAA procures a wide range of scientific and technical support, from large-scale research initiatives to specialized consulting. The value of this contract, spread over two years (730 days), suggests a significant but not exceptionally large engagement. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies for environmental consulting or scientific support services with similar durations and scopes. Factors like the specific expertise required, the complexity of the tasks, and the prevailing market rates for such services would influence what constitutes 'typical' spending.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this $7.55 million award, is the potential for cost escalation if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to higher overall costs for the government if the scope of work is not well-defined, if the contractor's efficiency is low, or if there is insufficient oversight. Without clear performance metrics and robust monitoring of labor hours and expenses, the government may end up paying more than anticipated. The risk is amplified when the contract duration is extended, as seen with the 730-day term here.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for money for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal procurement. By allowing all responsible sources to submit offers, it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages contractors to provide their best value proposition. For this $7.55 million contract, this approach increases the likelihood that Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated was selected based on a combination of technical merit and cost-effectiveness. However, the actual value for money achieved also depends on the clarity of the government's requirements, the effectiveness of the evaluation process, and ongoing contract administration to ensure performance aligns with expectations and costs remain controlled, especially given the T&M nature of the award.

What are the potential implications of this contract award on the broader environmental consulting market?

This $7.55 million contract award to Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated by NOAA has several implications for the broader environmental consulting market. Firstly, it signifies a significant government investment in scientific and technical support, potentially indicating increased demand or ongoing needs within NOAA. Secondly, the award through full and open competition suggests that the market is competitive, with multiple firms capable of meeting NOAA's requirements. This can encourage other firms to pursue similar government contracts. Lastly, the success of CSSI in winning this contract may enhance their reputation and market position, potentially influencing future bidding strategies and market dynamics within the environmental consulting sector.

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: $7,551,922

Exercised Options: $7,551,922

Current Obligation: $7,551,922

Actual Outlays: $4,444,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCEA133C17BA0062

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline