Climate Program Office awards $5.1M R&D contract to University Corporation for Atmospheric Research for climate research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,066,891 ($5.1M)

Contractor: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-07-14

End Date: 2026-11-20

Contract Duration: 494 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CLIMATE PROGRAM OFFICE(CPO) TASK ORDER.

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.1 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH for work described as: CLIMATE PROGRAM OFFICE(CPO) TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical climate research, aligning with national scientific priorities. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize efficient cost management by the contractor. 4. The contract duration of approximately 1.5 years allows for focused research objectives. 5. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the primary agency overseeing this research. 6. The contractor, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, has a strong background in atmospheric sciences.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.1 million for a 1.5-year research and development project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of climate science. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts within NOAA or other federal agencies for climate modeling or atmospheric research would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while common in R&D, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within projections and that the fixed fee is justified by the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific circumstances or prior exclusions led to a narrowed pool of eligible bidders. The exact number of bidders is not provided, but this approach suggests that NOAA sought competitive proposals while potentially leveraging existing relationships or specialized capabilities. The level of competition, even if narrowed, should still drive price discovery and ensure a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method aims to balance competitive pricing with the need for specialized expertise, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and policymakers who will receive data and insights from the climate research. The contract will deliver critical research outputs related to climate science, potentially informing future climate policy and mitigation strategies. The geographic impact is national, as climate change affects all regions of the United States. Workforce implications include support for researchers, scientists, and technical staff at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely managed.
The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition warrants scrutiny to ensure no qualified bidders were unfairly excluded.

Positive Signals

Award to a specialized research institution (UCAR) suggests alignment with scientific expertise.
Full and open competition, even with exclusions, indicates an effort to achieve competitive pricing.
The contract supports critical climate research, a high-priority area for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences related to climate. The market for climate research is specialized, involving academic institutions and dedicated research organizations. Spending in this area is driven by the need for scientific understanding to address environmental challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within NOAA's broader research portfolio or within other agencies like NSF or NASA that fund climate-related science.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The primary contractor is a university corporation, which may engage small businesses as subcontractors. However, without specific subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. The focus on specialized research may limit opportunities for broad small business participation unless specific expertise is required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with program managers monitoring research progress and expenditures. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency regarding research findings will depend on NOAA's policies for public dissemination of scientific results. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Climate Program Office
National Climate Assessment
Climate Change Research Initiative
Atmospheric Research Grants
Environmental Science Research

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost overruns.
Competition method ('after exclusion of sources') warrants review to ensure adequate market participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.1 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH. CLIMATE PROGRAM OFFICE(CPO) TASK ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.

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 $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-14. End: 2026-11-20.

What is the track record of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in performing similar federal research contracts?

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is a well-established consortium of universities focused on atmospheric and Earth system science. UCAR manages significant research facilities and programs, including the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Historically, UCAR has a strong track record of successfully managing large-scale, complex research grants and contracts from federal agencies like NOAA, NSF, and NASA. Their expertise in atmospheric modeling, data analysis, and scientific dissemination is widely recognized. While specific performance metrics for this exact task order are not yet available, UCAR's institutional capacity and long-standing reputation suggest a high likelihood of successful contract performance. Their involvement in previous climate research initiatives and their role in operating national research centers provide a solid foundation for undertaking this work.

How does the awarded amount of $5.1 million compare to similar climate research contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

The $5.1 million award for a 1.5-year climate research task order is within a typical range for specialized scientific research projects. NOAA and other agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) often award contracts and grants of this magnitude for specific research objectives, particularly those involving complex modeling, data analysis, or field studies. For instance, contracts for developing climate models, analyzing long-term climate data sets, or conducting specific atmospheric field campaigns can easily fall within the $1 million to $10 million range over similar timeframes. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code (541715) encompasses a broad spectrum of research, but climate science R&D often requires significant computational resources and expert personnel, justifying this investment level. Without direct comparison to identical scope projects, this amount appears proportionate to the specialized nature and duration of the work.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for climate research?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially in research and development, revolve around cost control and contractor incentive. For the government, the risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the fee is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred (within allowable limits). This can lead to cost overruns if the initial cost estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen research challenges arise. The government must implement robust oversight to ensure all costs claimed are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the effort required, which could lead to the fixed fee being insufficient compensation for the work performed. Effective risk mitigation involves detailed cost proposals, clear definition of scope, and continuous monitoring of expenditures and progress by the contracting agency.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method imply for the effectiveness of competition in this award?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method implies that while the initial solicitation was intended to be broadly advertised, certain sources were subsequently excluded from consideration. This could occur for various reasons, such as specific technical requirements, prior performance issues with certain potential bidders, or the need to leverage unique capabilities developed under previous related work. While it suggests a potentially narrowed field of competition compared to a standard 'full and open' process, it still aims to solicit proposals from all responsible sources meeting the defined criteria. The effectiveness of competition hinges on how many qualified bidders remained after exclusions and the rigor of the evaluation process. If multiple capable entities were still able to compete, it likely resulted in a fair price discovery. However, if the exclusions significantly limited the pool, the competitive pressure might be reduced.

What are the potential long-term implications of this climate research contract for federal climate policy and understanding?

This contract has the potential to significantly contribute to the federal government's understanding of climate change and inform future policy decisions. The research outputs could enhance climate models, improve predictions of climate impacts, and provide crucial data for developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies. By funding specialized research through entities like UCAR, the government ensures access to cutting-edge scientific expertise. The findings may influence national climate assessments, guide regulatory actions, and support international climate negotiations. Ultimately, the success of this contract could lead to more robust, science-based climate policies that address pressing environmental challenges and promote long-term sustainability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3090 CENTER GREEN DR, BOULDER, CO, 80301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,066,891

Exercised Options: $5,066,891

Current Obligation: $5,066,891

Actual Outlays: $860,165

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M225D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline