Commerce Awards $8.4M NOAA Contract to Azura Consulting for Environmental Support Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,404,442 ($8.4M)
Contractor: Azura Consulting LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-09-25
End Date: 2026-09-24
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: OSF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $8.4 million to AZURA CONSULTING LLC for work described as: OSF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.4 million over approximately 4 years. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the service nature and established agency. 4. Sector is professional, scientific, and technical services, with a focus on environmental support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a delivery order under a larger award, making direct pricing comparison difficult without knowing the base contract's terms. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, as a delivery order, the specific price discovery for this task order depends on the underlying contract's negotiation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental and program support services for NOAA, contributing to scientific and regulatory functions.
Public Impact
Supports critical environmental monitoring and research for NOAA. Ensures continuity of essential scientific and technical services. Contract duration of nearly four years provides stability for services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs if not carefully monitored.
- Potential for scope creep without clear task definitions.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition allows for broad market participation.
- Long-term contract provides service stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting environmental and program functions for a federal agency. Spending in this sector is often driven by regulatory requirements and scientific research needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific contract award or the base contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would primarily fall under NOAA's program managers responsible for environmental services. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates diligent monitoring of hours and costs to ensure value for money.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Lack of specific small business participation data.
- Delivery Order under a potentially larger contract.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $8.4 million to AZURA CONSULTING LLC. OSF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AZURA CONSULTING 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 $8.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-25. End: 2026-09-24.
What is the benchmark cost for similar environmental and program support services provided to NOAA or similar agencies?
Benchmarking similar services requires detailed analysis of contract vehicles and task orders within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990). Factors like geographic location, specific expertise required, and contract duration significantly influence pricing. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, providing a precise benchmark is challenging, but typical rates for specialized technical support can range from $100-$300 per hour depending on the skill level.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for environmental support services?
The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost escalation if labor hours and material costs are not rigorously tracked and controlled. For environmental support, this could manifest as extended project timelines or unforeseen complexities driving up labor, leading to a higher final cost than initially anticipated. Effective oversight and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effectively does this contract ensure the continuity and quality of NOAA's environmental program support?
The contract's nearly four-year duration (1460 days) is designed to ensure service continuity. Full and open competition suggests a potentially high-quality provider was selected. However, ongoing performance monitoring by NOAA, including adherence to service level agreements and quality control measures, will be critical to confirming the effectiveness and sustained quality of the support provided.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305M322QNFFK0055
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 446 TRAIL VIEW LANE, GARLAND, TX, 75043
Business Categories: Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,855,133
Exercised Options: $8,532,884
Current Obligation: $8,404,442
Actual Outlays: $4,556,505
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M418DNFFK0013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-25
Current End Date: 2026-09-24
Potential End Date: 2027-09-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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