NOAA awards $7.99M for scientific and technical support, with a significant portion allocated to environmental consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,990,352 ($8.0M)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 942 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/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: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $8.0 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MSE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential scientific and technical support, aligning with NOAA's core mission. 2. Environmental consulting services form a key component of the awarded work. 3. The contract duration spans over two years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. Awarded to Consolidated Safety Services, Inc., a single entity for comprehensive service delivery. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed diligently. 6. This award represents a modest investment within the broader context of federal environmental services spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $7.99 million for scientific and technical support, including environmental consulting, appears reasonable given the 942-day duration. Benchmarking against similar NOAA contracts for environmental consulting services suggests that the pricing structure, while Time and Materials, is within expected ranges. The value proposition hinges on the successful delivery of specialized scientific expertise and technical support critical for NOAA's operations. Further analysis would require detailed task orders to assess specific cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring that the government receives competitive offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive marketplace, potentially leading to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and its various scientific programs, which will receive crucial support. Services delivered include scientific and technical support, with a specific emphasis on environmental consulting. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting NOAA's nationwide environmental monitoring and research efforts. The contract supports specialized technical and scientific roles, potentially impacting the workforce in these niche areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific detail on performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency upfront.
Consolidated Safety Services, Inc. is a single awardee, concentrating risk with one vendor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contract supports critical scientific and technical functions for a key federal agency.
The duration of the contract allows for sustained support and project continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Environmental Consulting Services' sector, which is a subset of professional, scientific, and technical services. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and is crucial for regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, and scientific research. Spending in this area is driven by government mandates, environmental protection initiatives, and the need for scientific data. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar environmental consulting and scientific support services across agencies like EPA, DOI, and DOE.

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 or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Consolidated Safety Services, Inc., will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Research Programs
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Services
Federal Scientific and Technical Support Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Scope creep risk inherent in scientific and technical support contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $8.0 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 $8.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services, Inc. in performing similar scientific and technical support contracts for federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Consolidated Safety Services, Inc.'s track record. While this award indicates their capability in securing contracts, understanding their past performance on similar Time and Materials contracts, particularly those involving scientific and technical support or environmental consulting, is crucial. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues or disputes. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance on comparable contracts, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their reliability for this specific NOAA requirement.

How does the awarded amount of $7.99 million compare to historical spending on scientific and technical support by NOAA?

To compare the $7.99 million award, one would need to analyze NOAA's historical spending on scientific and technical support services over the past several fiscal years. This would involve examining aggregate spending data for relevant NAICS codes (like 541620 for Environmental Consulting Services) and contract types. If NOAA typically awards multi-million dollar contracts for similar support, this award might be considered standard. However, if this represents a significant increase or decrease compared to historical averages, it could warrant further investigation into the scope of work, market conditions, or changes in NOAA's programmatic needs. A detailed comparison would reveal if this award is an outlier or part of a consistent spending pattern.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for scientific and technical services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for scientific and technical services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or profit. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project management is weak, contractors may bill for excessive hours or use more expensive materials than necessary, driving up the total cost. For scientific and technical services, where tasks can be complex and evolve, robust oversight, detailed task tracking, and clear ceiling limitations are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

How does the 'Environmental Consulting Services' (NAICS 541620) category typically perform in terms of competition and pricing within the federal market?

The 'Environmental Consulting Services' (NAICS 541620) category within the federal market generally sees a mix of competition levels. While large, established firms often compete for major contracts, there is also a significant presence of small and medium-sized businesses specializing in niche environmental services. Pricing can vary widely depending on the complexity of the service, required expertise, and duration. Contracts awarded under full and open competition, like this one, tend to foster competitive pricing. However, the Time and Materials nature of this specific award introduces a variable cost component that requires diligent oversight to ensure fair pricing and prevent cost escalation compared to fixed-price alternatives or market benchmarks.

What is the significance of the BPA Call award type for this contract?

The 'BPA Call' award type signifies that this contract was issued under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). A BPA is a simplified acquisition vehicle that allows federal agencies to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. A 'BPA Call' is essentially an order placed against an existing BPA. This method streamlines the procurement process for recurring needs, often leading to faster delivery and potentially better pricing due to pre-negotiated terms within the BPA. For NOAA, using a BPA Call for scientific and technical support suggests they have an established relationship or framework with Consolidated Safety Services, Inc. for these types of services.

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: $7,990,352

Exercised Options: $7,990,352

Current Obligation: $7,990,352

Actual Outlays: $6,333,241

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCEA133C17BA0049

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline