NOAA awards $30,472 contract for 3D hull computation fluid dynamics drawing to Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,472 ($30.5K)

Contractor: Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 3D HULL COMPUTATION FLUID DYNAMICS DRAWING FOR GLADYS REESE BLISTER, OR-26-01999

Place of Performance

Location: BEAUFORT, CARTERET County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28516

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $30,472 to KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, LLC for work described as: 3D HULL COMPUTATION FLUID DYNAMICS DRAWING FOR GLADYS REESE BLISTER, OR-26-01999 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized engineering services related to naval architecture. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 3. This award represents a small portion of the agency's overall spending on engineering services. 4. The specific nature of the 'Gladys Reese Blister' suggests a niche application within naval hydrodynamics. 5. Limited competition information available due to the contract type. 6. Performance is expected to be in North Carolina.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $30,472 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. Without more information on the specific deliverables and complexity of the 3D hull computation fluid dynamics drawing, it is challenging to benchmark the value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. However, the absence of competitive bidding limits the ability to assess if the price is truly market-driven.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The specific reasons for not competing the award are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards occur when only one responsible source can provide the required services. This lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple bidders to offer proposals, potentially impacting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most cost-effective solution.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of a competitive bidding process for this contract means taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that can arise from market competition. The government did not leverage multiple offers to drive down the price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which will receive specialized engineering drawings. The services delivered will support NOAA's research and development efforts in naval architecture and hydrodynamics. The geographic impact is localized to North Carolina, where the contractor is based and performance is expected. The contract is unlikely to have significant workforce implications due to its small size and specialized nature.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price benchmarking and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
The specific technical requirements are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the complexity and associated risks.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it might be part of a larger, unstated contract vehicle.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
The contractor, Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC, is a known entity in the maritime technology sector.
The contract duration is clearly defined, providing a specific timeframe for delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to naval architecture and fluid dynamics. The market for such specialized engineering services is driven by government agencies like NOAA, as well as private maritime and defense industries. While the overall market size for engineering services is substantial, contracts for highly specific applications like 3D hull computations represent a niche segment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for similar specialized design and analysis work, often awarded through competitive processes.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and does not appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses (sb: false). As a sole-source award of a relatively small value, its direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely minimal. There are no explicit requirements or indications of efforts to engage small businesses in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order, it may be subject to oversight within a larger contract vehicle. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Naval Architecture Services
Engineering Design Services
Fluid Dynamics Analysis
Maritime Research and Development
NOAA Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Limited transparency on specific technical requirements and deliverables.
Potential for non-optimal pricing due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $30,472 to KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, LLC. 3D HULL COMPUTATION FLUID DYNAMICS DRAWING FOR GLADYS REESE BLISTER, OR-26-01999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, 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 $30,472.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-04-06.

What is the specific technical purpose of the 'Gladys Reese Blister' drawing and why is Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC the sole provider?

The 'Gladys Reese Blister' likely refers to a specific component or design feature on a vessel, possibly related to hydrodynamics or sonar performance. The term 'blister' in naval architecture can denote an external fairing or housing. A 3D hull computation fluid dynamics (CFD) drawing would be used to simulate how water flows around this component and the hull, predicting performance characteristics like drag, lift, and stability. Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC may be the sole provider due to possessing unique intellectual property, specialized software, or proprietary knowledge essential for this particular design, or perhaps they developed the original design and NOAA requires modifications or updates. Without further details from NOAA's justification for other than full and open competition, the exact reason remains speculative but points towards specialized expertise or proprietary technology.

How does the $30,472 contract value compare to typical NOAA spending on similar engineering services?

The $30,472 contract value is relatively small when compared to the overall budget of NOAA for engineering and technical services. NOAA, through its various administrations like the National Ocean Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, frequently procures complex engineering studies, vessel designs, and system integrations that can run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. This specific award appears to be for a very niche, discrete task. For context, NOAA's total spending on engineering services (NAICS code 541330) likely amounts to tens or hundreds of millions annually. Therefore, this $30,472 award represents a minor expenditure within that broader category, likely addressing a specific, limited-scope technical requirement.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'not competed' contract award of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a 'not competed' contract, especially a sole-source award, is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achievable through open competition. Without multiple bids, the government lacks the leverage to negotiate the best possible price. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most innovative or technically superior option available, although this is less likely if the sole-source justification is robust (e.g., based on unique capabilities). Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the selection process can raise concerns about fairness and potential conflicts of interest, although these are not evident from the data provided. The government must ensure a strong justification exists for foregoing competition to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC in securing federal contracts, particularly with NOAA?

Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC is part of the larger Kongsberg Maritime group, a well-established global entity in maritime technology. While specific contract history for the US subsidiary requires deeper database searching, Kongsberg entities have a history of securing contracts with various US government agencies, including the Department of Defense and NOAA, often related to sonar systems, underwater vehicles, and maritime simulation technologies. Their presence in federal contracting suggests a familiarity with government procurement processes and a capacity to deliver specialized technical solutions. This particular award, though small, aligns with their known areas of expertise in marine technology and hydrodynamics.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER)?

The designation 'DELIVERY ORDER' typically indicates that this contract is a task order issued under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar contract vehicle. This means that the underlying contract structure, terms, and conditions were likely established earlier, possibly through a competitive process. The 'not competed' status here likely applies to the *issuance of this specific delivery order*, suggesting that either the IDIQ contract itself allowed for sole-source task orders under certain conditions, or a justification was made specifically for this order. This structure can streamline procurement for recurring or specialized needs but requires careful oversight to ensure the overall IDIQ contract was competitively awarded and that individual task orders are appropriately justified.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

Address: 19210 33RD AVE W STE A, LYNNWOOD, WA, 98036

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,472

Exercised Options: $30,472

Current Obligation: $30,472

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M221DNMAN0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline