NOAA awards $3.65M for midlife ship repair, highlighting engineering services for vessel sustainment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,651,924 ($3.7M)

Contractor: ECS Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MIDLIFE SHIP REPAIR PERIOD FOR NOAA SHIP OSCAR DYSON

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, LINCOLN County, OREGON, 97365

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: MIDLIFE SHIP REPAIR PERIOD FOR NOAA SHIP OSCAR DYSON Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential engineering services for the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson's midlife repair. 2. The award represents a significant investment in maintaining critical maritime research infrastructure. 3. Competition dynamics for specialized engineering services can influence pricing and contractor selection. 4. Performance risk is tied to the complexity of ship repair and the contractor's technical expertise. 5. This contract positions ECS Federal, LLC within the government's maritime engineering services sector. 6. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for this multi-year repair project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.65 million for a 1368-day period (approximately 3.75 years) for midlife ship repair appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale vessel repair contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the firm-fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling, which is a positive indicator for value. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investing in the longevity of its research fleet.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging fair pricing and a wider selection of capable contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition process was intended and likely achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs through market forces and ensures that the government secures the best value for its investment in critical infrastructure maintenance.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and the scientific community, who rely on the operational readiness of the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson for vital research missions. The services delivered will ensure the structural integrity, operational capability, and safety of a key asset in NOAA's fleet. The geographic impact is primarily focused on the operational areas of the ship, likely involving oceanic research, but the repair work itself will occur at a specific shipyard location. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled engineers, technicians, and maritime personnel involved in the repair and maintenance process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in complex ship repair projects, which could impact final costs if not managed tightly.
Ensuring the long-term availability of specialized parts and expertise for aging vessel components can be a challenge.
Coordination between multiple subcontractors and the prime contractor is critical for seamless project execution.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting of potential contractors.
The multi-year duration allows for planned, phased execution of complex repair tasks.
ECS Federal, LLC's selection indicates they possess the necessary engineering qualifications for this specialized work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) sector, specifically focusing on maritime engineering and vessel maintenance. The market for specialized ship repair and midlife upgrades is competitive, involving a mix of large defense contractors and specialized maritime service providers. NOAA's investment in the Oscar Dyson is part of a broader federal effort to maintain and modernize its research and operational fleets, which are critical for scientific discovery, environmental monitoring, and national security. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts for similar naval or research vessel overhauls.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of a small business subcontracting plan requirement based on the provided data. The prime contractor, ECS Federal, LLC, is listed as a small business itself, which is a positive signal for small business participation. However, the overall contract value and scope may necessitate the use of larger subcontractors for certain specialized tasks, the details of which are not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract execution.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Fleet Modernization Programs
U.S. Navy Ship Repair Contracts
Maritime Engineering Services
Federal Vessel Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of unforeseen repair requirements
Supply chain disruptions for specialized parts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.7 million to ECS FEDERAL, LLC. MIDLIFE SHIP REPAIR PERIOD FOR NOAA SHIP OSCAR DYSON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECS FEDERAL, 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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the specific scope of 'midlife ship repair' for the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'MIDLIFE SHIP REPAIR PERIOD FOR NOAA SHIP OSCAR DYSON' and falls under 'Engineering Services'. While the exact scope isn't detailed, midlife repairs typically involve extensive overhauls to extend a vessel's operational life by another 10-15 years. This can include hull integrity checks and repairs, propulsion system overhauls, electrical system upgrades, navigation and communication system modernizations, habitability improvements, and compliance with updated safety and environmental regulations. The $3.65 million value suggests a comprehensive package of services aimed at ensuring the ship's continued functionality for its scientific missions.

How does the $3.65 million award compare to typical midlife repair costs for similar research vessels?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the specific size, age, and complexity of the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, as well as the exact scope of work. However, midlife repairs for research vessels can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. Factors influencing cost include the extent of structural work needed, the sophistication of scientific equipment requiring integration or upgrades, and the shipyard's labor rates. The $3.65 million for a 1368-day period suggests a significant but potentially contained scope, possibly focusing on critical systems rather than a complete gut renovation, or benefiting from competitive bidding.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones NOAA will use to assess ECS Federal, LLC's performance?

Specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided summary. However, for a contract of this nature, NOAA would likely track milestones related to the timely completion of major repair phases (e.g., hull work, systems integration, sea trials), adherence to quality standards for materials and workmanship, budget management, and compliance with safety protocols. Performance assessments would also consider the successful restoration of the ship's operational capabilities and readiness for its scientific mission post-repair. Regular progress reports and inspections would be standard oversight mechanisms.

What is ECS Federal, LLC's track record with large-scale maritime engineering or ship repair contracts?

ECS Federal, LLC is identified as the contractor. While the summary notes they are performing this $3.65 million contract, further investigation into their specific experience with large-scale maritime engineering and ship repair is needed for a full assessment. As a small business, their capacity for such extensive projects might involve strategic partnerships or a focus on specific engineering disciplines within the repair process. Reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts, particularly with NOAA or other maritime agencies, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include unforeseen structural issues discovered during the repair, delays in parts procurement, integration challenges with existing systems, and potential cost overruns despite the firm-fixed-price structure (if scope changes are necessary). Mitigation strategies likely involve thorough pre-repair inspections, robust project management by both NOAA and ECS Federal, contingency planning, and clear communication channels. The firm-fixed-price contract itself acts as a primary risk mitigation tool for the government by capping the potential cost.

How has NOAA's spending on ship repair and maintenance evolved over the past five years?

The provided data is specific to a single contract award. To understand NOAA's spending evolution on ship repair and maintenance, a broader analysis of their historical budgets and contract awards across the entire fleet would be necessary. This would involve examining trends in spending on new vessel construction, major overhauls, routine maintenance, and associated engineering services. Such an analysis would reveal patterns of investment, potential funding fluctuations, and the overall strategy for fleet sustainment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Asgn Incorporated

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE STE 600, 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: $4,017,814

Exercised Options: $4,017,814

Current Obligation: $3,651,924

Actual Outlays: $1,578,465

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M222ANMAN0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline