Noaa Awards $5.25M for IT Support to Riva Solutions Inc Under BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,253,182 ($5.3M)
Contractor: Riva Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-09-25
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,374 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IT SUPPORT FOR NOAA'S PHYSICAL SCIENCES LABS
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80305
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $5.3 million to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: IT SUPPORT FOR NOAA'S PHYSICAL SCIENCES LABS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC for IT support services. 2. The contract is valued at $5.25 million and runs until June 2026. 3. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 4. The service falls under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.25M for IT support over approximately 3 years appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the BPA Call mechanism suggests some level of pre-negotiated pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, utilizing a BPA Call. This method typically ensures a competitive process for establishing the initial BPA, with subsequent calls potentially being more streamlined but still subject to fair opportunity if multiple vendors are on the BPA.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment. The use of a BPA Call suggests an efficient procurement method.
Public Impact
Ensures continued IT support for NOAA's critical Physical Sciences Laboratories. Supports scientific research and data analysis capabilities. Potential for technological advancements within NOAA's labs. Contract duration provides stability for ongoing operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in time and materials contracts.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure.
- BPA Call mechanism may limit direct comparison of pricing for this specific task order.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Contract supports vital scientific research.
- Long-term contract provides operational stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming. IT services are crucial for modern scientific research, enabling data processing, analysis, and infrastructure management. Spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary award went to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC, it's important to assess if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this larger contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call under a full and open competition framework suggests a structured procurement process. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to contract terms, and managing the time and materials aspect to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Potential lack of direct competition for this specific task order.
- No small business participation indicated.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT functions.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, co, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $5.3 million to RIVA SOLUTIONS INC. IT SUPPORT FOR NOAA'S PHYSICAL SCIENCES LABS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RIVA SOLUTIONS INC.
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 $5.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-25. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this IT support contract, and how does it align with NOAA's current and future scientific objectives?
The contract is for IT support for NOAA's Physical Sciences Labs, falling under Custom Computer Programming Services. While the exact service breakdown isn't detailed, it likely encompasses software development, system maintenance, network support, and data management crucial for scientific research. Alignment with objectives would require reviewing NOAA's strategic IT and research plans to ensure the contracted services directly contribute to advancing scientific understanding and operational efficiency within the labs.
Given the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair value for the $5.25M award?
Mitigation strategies for Time and Materials (T&M) contracts typically include establishing clear labor categories with pre-defined hourly rates, setting a ceiling price that cannot be exceeded without modification, and implementing robust oversight to track hours worked and materials used. Regular performance reviews and detailed invoicing scrutiny by NOAA are essential to ensure the vendor's efforts are efficient and directly contribute to the contract's objectives, preventing unnecessary costs.
How effectively does the BPA Call mechanism ensure competitive pricing for this specific IT support task order, compared to a standalone competitive procurement?
A BPA Call leverages a pre-competed BPA, which can streamline the ordering process. While the initial BPA award likely involved competition, the specific call might have had limited competition among BPA holders or been awarded based on pre-negotiated rates. This can offer efficiency but may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to a dedicated, full-and-open competition for this specific requirement, depending on the BPA's terms and the number of participating vendors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,836,314
Exercised Options: $5,836,314
Current Obligation: $5,253,182
Actual Outlays: $3,366,807
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M322ANAAJ0012
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-25
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-26
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