NOAA Awards $432K for Inmarsat SATCOM Support to Satcom Direct Government, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $432,000 ($432.0K)
Contractor: Satcom Direct Government, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-13
End Date: 2027-04-12
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OMAO/AOC HEAVY AIRCRAFT INMARSAT SATELLITE COMMUNICATION (SATCOM) SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: MELBOURNE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32940
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $432,000 to SATCOM DIRECT GOVERNMENT, LLC for work described as: OMAO/AOC HEAVY AIRCRAFT INMARSAT SATELLITE COMMUNICATION (SATCOM) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential satellite communication services for NOAA's heavy aircraft. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a focused scope. 4. Services are critical for operational effectiveness and data transmission.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $432,000 over one year appears reasonable for specialized SATCOM support. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for satellite communication services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can drive competitive pricing. The BPA Call award mechanism suggests a pre-competed framework was utilized.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value and the essential nature of the services provided for NOAA operations.
Public Impact
Ensures continuous communication for NOAA aircraft, vital for weather monitoring and research. Supports critical data transmission from aircraft to ground stations. Facilitates operational efficiency and safety for NOAA's aerial missions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Firm fixed price contract
- Essential operational support
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Satellite Telecommunications sector, specifically supporting government aviation needs. Spending in this area is driven by the requirement for reliable, high-bandwidth communication for remote operations and data transfer.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award, as the contractor is not identified as a small business and the 'sb' field is false.
Oversight & Accountability
Awarded via a BPA Call, suggesting that the underlying BPA underwent a competitive process. Further oversight would involve monitoring contract performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Satellite Telecommunications
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Vendor lock-in potential
- Service disruption risk
- Future price escalation
Tags
satellite-telecommunications, department-of-commerce, fl, bpa-call, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $432,000 to SATCOM DIRECT GOVERNMENT, LLC. OMAO/AOC HEAVY AIRCRAFT INMARSAT SATELLITE COMMUNICATION (SATCOM) SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SATCOM DIRECT GOVERNMENT, 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 $432,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-12.
What is the specific Inmarsat service being procured and how does its cost compare to industry standards for similar government aviation needs?
The specific Inmarsat service is SATCOM support for heavy aircraft. Without detailed service specifications, a precise cost comparison is difficult. However, the $432,000 annual cost for a single aircraft's communication needs seems within a reasonable range for specialized satellite services, though industry benchmarks for similar government aviation contracts would offer a more definitive assessment of value.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical SATCOM services, even under full and open competition?
Even with full and open competition, reliance on a single vendor for critical SATCOM services carries risks such as potential service disruptions if the vendor faces technical issues or financial instability. There's also a risk of price increases in future contract renewals if competition diminishes or if the vendor becomes indispensable. Ensuring robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and contingency plans can mitigate these risks.
How effectively does this SATCOM support contribute to NOAA's mission objectives, particularly in data collection and dissemination?
This SATCOM support is likely highly effective in contributing to NOAA's mission by ensuring reliable, real-time data transmission from heavy aircraft engaged in critical operations like weather research, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. Continuous communication is essential for timely data collection and dissemination, enabling informed decision-making and public safety alerts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Satellite Telecommunications › Satellite Telecommunications
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305M226Q0019
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1050 SATCOM LN, MELBOURNE, FL, 32940
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $432,000
Exercised Options: $432,000
Current Obligation: $432,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M226A0007
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-13
Current End Date: 2027-04-12
Potential End Date: 2027-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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