NOAA Awards $14.16M for HPC Software Development to Science Applications International Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,161,164 ($14.2M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-07-01
End Date: 2026-09-07
Contract Duration: 798 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (SDTS) IN SUPPORT OF NOAA'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HPC SERVICES (RDHPCS)
Place of Performance
Location: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08544
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $14.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (SDTS) IN SUPPORT OF NOAA'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HPC SERVICES (RDHPCS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for High Performance Computing (HPC) services. 2. The contract is for custom computer programming services, a common IT sector expenditure. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The Time and Materials contract type may pose cost control risks if not managed effectively.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $14.16M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for specialized HPC software development and technical services. Benchmarking against similar NOAA or other agency HPC contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating 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 yield fair pricing, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for these critical research and development services.
Public Impact
Supports NOAA's critical research and development efforts in High Performance Computing. Ensures continued access to advanced computing capabilities for scientific discovery. Potential for advancements in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and other scientific research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical scientific research and development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending on HPC is crucial for government agencies like NOAA to conduct advanced research and development, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Agencies should actively seek opportunities to include small businesses in contracting, especially for specialized services where they can offer innovative solutions.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call under a full and open competition framework suggests established procurement procedures. Ongoing oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials aspect and ensure performance objectives are met.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- No small business participation.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical HPC services.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, nj, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $14.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (SDTS) IN SUPPORT OF NOAA'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HPC SERVICES (RDHPCS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
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 $14.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-09-07.
What is the projected impact of this HPC software development on NOAA's research capabilities?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance NOAA's High Performance Computing capabilities, enabling more complex simulations and data analysis. This could lead to breakthroughs in areas like climate modeling, weather forecasting accuracy, and oceanographic research, ultimately improving the nation's preparedness and understanding of environmental challenges.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials contract type for this HPC service?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost escalation if labor hours and material costs are not rigorously tracked and controlled. For complex HPC services, scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges could lead to extended timelines and increased expenditures beyond initial estimates, impacting the overall value for taxpayers.
How effective is the full and open competition strategy in ensuring value for this specialized IT service?
Full and open competition is generally effective in driving value by fostering a competitive environment where multiple vendors vie for the contract. This process encourages competitive pricing and allows the government to select the offer that best meets technical requirements and cost considerations, ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical HPC services.
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 - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 145001-24-0092
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12010, SUNSET HILLS ROAD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,546,857
Exercised Options: $15,546,857
Current Obligation: $14,161,164
Actual Outlays: $8,814,594
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $302,164
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M321ANRMA0003
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-07
Potential End Date: 2026-09-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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