Commerce Department awards $6.8M for NWS science integration support, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,789,766 ($6.8M)

Contractor: International Business Sales and Services Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-12-11

End Date: 2026-04-10

Contract Duration: 1,216 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR NWS OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (STI)

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $6.8 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP for work described as: PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR NWS OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (STI) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 3-bidder competition for engineering services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a moderately contested award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a Time and Materials contract type and a multi-year duration. 4. Performance context is for project management support within NOAA's Office of Science and Technology Integration. 5. Sector positioning is within Engineering Services, supporting critical scientific endeavors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.8 million over approximately four years for project management support is within a reasonable range for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific program integration support suggests this award is competitive. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while offering flexibility, warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. The number of bidders (3) suggests a degree of competition, but further analysis of bid pricing would be needed for a definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with three bids received. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy level of interest in this requirement. However, with only three bidders, the level of competition might not be as robust as in scenarios with a larger number of offers, potentially impacting the downward pressure on pricing. The agency's approach to soliciting bids under full and open competition is a positive indicator for broad market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally provides taxpayers with a better opportunity for competitive pricing compared to sole-source or limited solicitations. This approach aims to ensure that the government receives fair market value.

Public Impact

The National Weather Service (NWS) and its Office of Science and Technology Integration (STI) will benefit from enhanced project management. Services delivered include crucial support for integrating scientific advancements into NWS operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized project management and engineering roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The multi-year duration of the contract increases exposure to potential changes in requirements or economic conditions.
Limited number of bidders (3) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, impacting future competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring broad market access.
Contract supports critical scientific integration for the National Weather Service.
Contractor has a track record, though specific performance details require further review.

Sector Analysis

The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) is a significant part of federal procurement, encompassing a wide range of technical and project management support. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting government scientific and operational needs. Comparable spending benchmarks for project management and scientific integration support within agencies like NOAA often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to International Business Sales and Services Corp, a company whose size is not specified, means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless they engage small businesses as subcontractors. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Support Services
NWS Technology Integration Projects
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Project Management Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires vigilant oversight to control costs.
Limited number of bidders could indicate potential market concentration or barriers.
Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, increasing exposure to changing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $6.8 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP. PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR NWS OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (STI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP.

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 $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-11. End: 2026-04-10.

What is the contractor's past performance record with the federal government, particularly with NOAA or NWS?

Information regarding International Business Sales and Services Corp's specific past performance record with the federal government, especially with NOAA or the NWS, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review of the contractor's performance history, including any past issues, commendations, or contract modifications, would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and capability for this project. This typically involves consulting performance evaluation reports (e.g., CPARS) and reviewing their contract history for similar projects.

How does the awarded price compare to the independent government cost estimate or other bids received?

The provided data indicates the total award amount ($6,789,765.86) and that three bids were received. However, it does not include the independent government cost estimate or the specific pricing of the other two bids. To assess value for money, a comparison of the awarded price against the government's estimate and the range of bids would be crucial. A significant variance between the bids or between the winning bid and the estimate could signal issues with pricing or the solicitation process.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement methods for this contract. Typically, a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) would outline these metrics, which could include timeliness of deliverables, quality of project management, adherence to budget, and successful integration of scientific advancements. Performance monitoring is usually conducted by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or designated program manager.

What is the historical spending trend for similar project management support services within NOAA's Office of Science and Technology Integration?

Historical spending data for similar project management support services within NOAA's Office of Science and Technology Integration is not provided. Analyzing past expenditures on comparable contracts would offer context for the current $6.8 million award, helping to determine if spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. This trend analysis is vital for understanding budget allocation and identifying potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements over time.

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

Yes, Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. 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 cost overruns if not meticulously managed, as the total cost is not predetermined. For this project, risks include potential inefficiencies in labor hours billed, scope creep that inflates the hours worked, and challenges in accurately forecasting the final project cost, necessitating robust oversight from the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

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: 1110 BONIFANT ST SUITE 501, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,805,561

Exercised Options: $6,805,561

Current Obligation: $6,789,766

Actual Outlays: $4,834,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M420DNWWA0062

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline