NOAA awards $8.1M contract for precipitation data, with potential for significant future value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,129,640 ($8.1M)

Contractor: International Business Sales and Services Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ATLAS 15 PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY ESTIMATES

Place of Performance

Location: TUSCALOOSA, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35401

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $8.1 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP for work described as: ATLAS 15 PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY ESTIMATES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the specialized nature of meteorological data services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope of work and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is critical for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of precipitation estimates. 5. This contract positions NOAA to enhance its climate and weather modeling capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.1 million for engineering services related to precipitation frequency estimates seems appropriate for a multi-year federal award. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized scientific data analysis and engineering support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the scope suggests a significant undertaking in data processing and validation, making the price point appear competitive within the federal contracting landscape.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process typically fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of technical solutions. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a robust market for these specialized engineering and data services, which is generally beneficial for the government in securing quality services at competitive rates.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most advantageous for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a competitive bidding process, ensuring that the government receives the best possible value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies relying on accurate precipitation data for climate research, water resource management, and disaster preparedness. Services delivered include the development and refinement of precipitation frequency estimates, crucial for hydrological modeling and infrastructure planning. The geographic impact is national, as NOAA's data serves a wide range of applications across the United States. Workforce implications may include specialized roles for meteorologists, data scientists, and engineers involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if data requirements evolve significantly during the contract period.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to maintain data integrity and accuracy over the long term.

Positive Signals

Clear period of performance and defined deliverables suggest manageable project execution.
Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potential for value.
Contractor's experience in engineering services is a positive indicator for successful project completion.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically focusing on meteorological and hydrological data analysis. The market for such specialized services is driven by government needs for climate research, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure resilience. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other NOAA or USGS contracts for data acquisition, processing, and analysis related to environmental sciences.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through contract officers and technical representatives. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's deliverables and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific project details and data may be subject to agency policies.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Climate Program Office
USGS National Hydrologic Research Program
National Weather Service Forecasting Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for data integrity issues if not rigorously managed.
Scope creep risk in long-term data analysis projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $8.1 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP. ATLAS 15 PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY ESTIMATES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SALES AND SERVICES CORP.

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 $8.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the historical spending by NOAA on precipitation data analysis and engineering services?

Historical spending data for NOAA on precipitation data analysis and engineering services is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $8.1 million for ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates suggests a significant investment in this area. To provide a comprehensive historical context, one would need to analyze NOAA's budget allocations and contract awards over several fiscal years, looking specifically for contracts related to meteorological data, hydrological modeling, and climate research. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for keywords such as 'precipitation,' 'hydrology,' 'meteorology,' and 'engineering services' within NOAA's contract history. Understanding past spending patterns would help determine if this $8.1 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in these critical services.

How does the 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' project align with NOAA's broader mission objectives?

The 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' project directly aligns with NOAA's core mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Accurate precipitation frequency estimates are fundamental for various NOAA initiatives, including flood risk assessment, drought monitoring, water resource management, and the design of resilient infrastructure. This data supports NOAA's role in providing critical environmental information to the public and policymakers, enabling informed decision-making for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Furthermore, the project contributes to NOAA's efforts in climate science research by providing essential inputs for climate models and projections, thereby enhancing the nation's ability to adapt to a changing climate.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks for the 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' contract include data accuracy issues, delays in delivery, and potential cost overruns if the scope is not well-managed. Data accuracy is paramount; any inaccuracies in precipitation frequency estimates could lead to flawed hydrological models, misinformed infrastructure planning, and ineffective disaster response. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes outlined in the contract, regular progress reviews, and clear performance metrics. Delays could be mitigated through effective project management by the contractor and close monitoring by NOAA. Cost overruns might be addressed by the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, which allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight to ensure efficient use of resources. The full and open competition also helps mitigate risks by ensuring a pool of qualified bidders.

What is the typical duration and value range for similar engineering services contracts awarded by NOAA?

The typical duration and value range for similar engineering services contracts awarded by NOAA can vary significantly based on the complexity and scope of the work. Contracts for specialized scientific data analysis, modeling, and engineering support, like the 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' project, often span multiple years to allow for data collection, processing, validation, and refinement. The current contract's duration of approximately four years (April 2023 - April 2027) and value of $8.1 million are within a reasonable range for such specialized federal procurements. However, NOAA also awards smaller, shorter-term contracts for specific tasks and much larger, multi-year programs. Benchmarking against contracts for meteorological research, climate modeling software development, or hydrological survey engineering would provide a more precise comparison.

How does the 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) category typically perform in terms of competition and pricing within federal contracts?

The 'Engineering Services' category (NAICS 541330) within federal contracting generally sees a mix of competition levels, depending on the specialization required. For broad engineering services, full and open competition is common, leading to competitive pricing. However, highly specialized engineering niches, such as advanced meteorological data analysis or complex system design, may attract fewer bidders, potentially leading to higher prices or sole-source awards if unique expertise is required. The 'ATLAS 15 Precipitation Frequency Estimates' contract being awarded under full and open competition suggests that there is a sufficient market of capable firms for this specific type of engineering service. This level of competition is favorable for price discovery and achieving value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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

Solicitation ID: 1305M323QNWWM0019

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1110 BONIFANT ST SUITE 501, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,541,161

Exercised Options: $9,524,177

Current Obligation: $8,129,640

Actual Outlays: $6,947,287

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M420DNWWA0062

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline