NOAA Awards $246.5M R&D Task Order to Earth Resources Technology, LLC for Habitat Conservation Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,465,199 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-03-22

End Date: 2027-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THIS TASK ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC) WILL SUPPORT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), HABITAT PROTECTION (HP) OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DIVISION (OMI) AND THE NOAA CHESAPEAKE BAY OFFICE (NCBO). BROADLY

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: THIS TASK ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC) WILL SUPPORT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), HABITAT PROTECTION (HP) OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DIVISION (OMI) AND THE NOAA CHESAPEAKE BAY OFFICE (NCBO). BROADLY Key points: 1. This task order focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger award, indicating a specific project need. 3. The primary risk appears to be the Time and Materials pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically supporting environmental and conservation efforts within NOAA.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is inherently less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Without strong oversight and clear task definitions, this can lead to higher costs than anticipated for the government. Benchmarking T&M contracts is difficult due to variable labor hours.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated but then narrowed. The impact on price discovery depends on the rigor of the evaluation and negotiation stages following the initial competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The T&M pricing model presents a potential risk to taxpayers if not closely monitored, as costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports critical habitat conservation and protection efforts for the National Marine Fisheries Service. The funding will enable research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract duration of nearly three years suggests a sustained effort in these scientific areas. The award contributes to the broader mission of NOAA in environmental stewardship.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Competition method details unclear

Positive Signals

Full and open competition initiated
Supports critical environmental mission
Long-term project duration

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and addressing complex challenges like habitat conservation. Benchmarks for R&D contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Earth Resources Technology, LLC, and does not specify any small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates robust government oversight to manage labor hours and prevent scope creep. Regular reviews of progress reports and expenditures will be critical for accountability and ensuring the task order stays within budget and objectives.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure poses a risk of cost overruns.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the competitive landscape.
Lack of specific performance metrics and deliverables in the provided data makes value assessment challenging.
Potential for scope creep due to the T&M contract type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. THIS TASK ORDER FOR THE OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC) WILL SUPPORT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), HABITAT PROTECTION (HP) OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DIVISION (OMI) AND THE NOAA CHESAPEAKE BAY OFFICE (NCBO). BROADLY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, 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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-22. End: 2027-03-21.

What specific deliverables are expected under this task order, and how will their successful completion be measured to ensure value for money given the T&M structure?

The specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data. However, for a Time and Materials contract, value for money is typically ensured through clearly defined milestones, performance metrics, and rigorous monitoring of labor hours and resource allocation. The government contracting officer must actively manage the scope and ensure that all work performed directly contributes to the stated objectives of supporting habitat conservation and protection operations.

Given the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause, what were the initial criteria for exclusion, and how did this impact the final pricing and selection of Earth Resources Techno

The data does not specify the reasons for excluding other sources after the initial full and open competition. This exclusion clause suggests that while a broad competition was initially allowed, certain entities were subsequently disqualified based on predefined criteria (e.g., specific technical capabilities, past performance, or security requirements). The impact on pricing is uncertain; it could lead to less competition and potentially higher prices if the pool of eligible bidders was significantly reduced.

How will NOAA ensure that the R&D conducted under this task order directly translates into actionable conservation strategies and policy improvements for the National Marine Fisheries Service?

NOAA's oversight team will likely establish clear communication channels and regular progress reviews with Earth Resources Technology, LLC. Success will be measured by the quality and applicability of the research findings, their integration into NMFS's operational plans, and their contribution to evidence-based decision-making for habitat protection. The contract's effectiveness hinges on the government's ability to translate scientific outputs into tangible conservation outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 143013-24-0014

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14401 SWEITZER LN STE 300, LAUREL, MD, 20707

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,613,965

Exercised Options: $3,613,965

Current Obligation: $2,465,199

Actual Outlays: $1,413,571

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M324D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline