NOAA awards $1.2M to MITRE for extreme weather preparedness tool
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,209,227 ($1.2M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2025-09-30
End Date: 2027-01-07
Contract Duration: 464 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENGAGE MITRE TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, ASSESSMENT, AND GUIDANCE IN DEVELOPING A TOOL TO STRENGTHEN STATE AND LOCAL PREPAREDNESS FOR EXTREME WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $1.2 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: ENGAGE MITRE TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, ASSESSMENT, AND GUIDANCE IN DEVELOPING A TOOL TO STRENGTHEN STATE AND LOCAL PREPAREDNESS FOR EXTREME WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on scientific and technical expertise for state and local preparedness. 2. MITRE Corporation is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and limited competition due to FFRDC status. 4. Spending falls under Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task details, but FFRDCs often have higher overhead.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, likely due to MITRE's FFRDC status, which limits competition. This approach may not yield the best price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for a specialized service, with potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Public Impact
Enhances state and local capacity to respond to extreme weather events. Supports critical infrastructure resilience against climate change impacts. Leverages MITRE's expertise in scientific and technical assessment. Aims to improve public safety and reduce economic losses from disasters.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost risk.
- Reliance on a single FFRDC limits alternative solutions.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national need for climate resilience.
- Utilizes a trusted FFRDC with relevant expertise.
- Clear objective to strengthen preparedness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, specifically focusing on scientific and technical consulting. Benchmarks for similar FFRDC engagements vary widely based on scope.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to The MITRE Corporation, a large FFRDC, and does not appear to include provisions for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, is responsible for oversight. The FFRDC structure implies a level of inherent oversight, but specific task order management is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type has inherent cost overrun risks.
- Dependence on a single FFRDC may limit innovation and alternative solutions.
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, va, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $1.2 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. ENGAGE MITRE TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, ASSESSMENT, AND GUIDANCE IN DEVELOPING A TOOL TO STRENGTHEN STATE AND LOCAL PREPAREDNESS FOR EXTREME WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
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 $1.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2027-01-07.
What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the developed tool in strengthening state and local preparedness?
Success metrics should focus on the tool's adoption rate by state and local agencies, its demonstrated utility in planning or response exercises, and quantifiable improvements in preparedness indicators. NOAA should establish clear, measurable outcomes tied to the tool's development and implementation to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
How will NOAA ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential cost overruns with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded to an FFRDC?
NOAA must implement rigorous oversight of MITRE's expenditures, conduct regular reviews of progress against milestones, and ensure detailed justification for all costs incurred. Establishing clear ceilings and performance incentives within the contract can also mitigate cost risks associated with the CPFF structure.
What is the long-term strategy for maintaining and updating the preparedness tool developed by MITRE beyond the contract period?
A long-term sustainment plan is essential. This should outline funding sources, responsible parties for updates and maintenance, and a strategy for incorporating evolving scientific data and user feedback. NOAA should consider options like knowledge transfer to other entities or future contract vehicles for ongoing support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,024,865
Exercised Options: $1,231,907
Current Obligation: $1,209,227
Actual Outlays: $244,890
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1331L523D13OS0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-30
Current End Date: 2027-01-07
Potential End Date: 2027-09-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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