NOAA Awards $30.4M Contract for IT Services to T and T Consulting, Focusing on Application Development and Data Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,432,042 ($30.4M)

Contractor: T and T Consulting Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-09-15

End Date: 2026-09-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH A FOCUS IN APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND DATA MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $30.4 million to T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH A FOCUS IN APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND DATA MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical IT functions for NOAA, including application development and data management. 2. T and T Consulting Services Inc. is the awardee, with the contract valued at $30.4 million. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The duration of the contract is 1095 days, ending in September 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.4 million for a 3-year period appears reasonable for custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar NOAA IT contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to result in fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on essential NOAA IT services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued development and maintenance of NOAA's critical information systems. Supports data management crucial for weather forecasting, climate research, and oceanographic studies. Provides specialized application development expertise to meet evolving NOAA needs. Contributes to the operational efficiency of a key federal agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in application development.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT functions.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure quality.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Focus on essential IT services for a vital agency.
Clear performance period and contract value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, supporting a wide range of mission-critical functions. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, T and T Consulting Services Inc., is not indicated as a small business. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which does not preclude small business participation, but the prime awardee is not identified as such.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, is responsible for oversight. Standard contract management practices, including performance reviews and financial oversight, should be in place to ensure accountability and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Potential for vendor lock-in if knowledge transfer is not managed effectively.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT functions.
Need for robust quality assurance processes to ensure application reliability and data integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $30.4 million to T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH A FOCUS IN APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND DATA MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES 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 $30.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-15. End: 2026-09-14.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of application development and data management services under this contract?

Success metrics should align with NOAA's strategic goals for its information systems. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) could include application uptime, data accuracy rates, development cycle times, user satisfaction scores, and successful integration with existing NOAA platforms. Regular performance reviews should track progress against these defined metrics.

How will NOAA ensure that the pricing remains competitive throughout the contract's duration, especially given the time and materials (T&M) pricing structure?

NOAA can mitigate T&M pricing risks through rigorous oversight, including detailed review of labor hours and material costs, and by establishing clear ceilings and task order limits. Regular market research and comparison with industry rates for similar services will help ensure fair pricing. Strong contract management and negotiation skills are essential.

What is the potential impact on NOAA's operations if T and T Consulting Services Inc. experiences significant performance issues or financial instability?

Significant performance issues or instability could disrupt NOAA's critical operations, impacting weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and research. Mitigation strategies include clear contract clauses for performance deficiencies, contingency planning for service continuity, and potentially identifying alternative vendors or in-house capabilities as a backup.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1305M323QNFFK0059

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 431 PARK AVE SUITE 201, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22046

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,894,624

Exercised Options: $31,098,274

Current Obligation: $30,432,042

Actual Outlays: $19,570,222

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0073

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline