Commerce awards $4.9M contract for NOAA facilities project support to Golden Wolf, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,915,296 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Golden Wolf, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-08-31

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,038 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OCAO DMR AND FCA SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CONTRACTOR WILL WORK WITH NOAA PPMD LEADERSHIP, PROJECT MANAGERS AND LINE OFFICE FACILITIES PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP FACILITIES PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98170

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $4.9 million to GOLDEN WOLF, LLC for work described as: OCAO DMR AND FCA SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CONTRACTOR WILL WORK WITH NOAA PPMD LEADERSHIP, PROJECT MANAGERS AND LINE OFFICE FACILITIES PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP FACILITIES PROJECTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on supporting NOAA leadership in developing facilities projects. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, indicating clear pricing terms. 3. Awarded to Golden Wolf, LLC, a single contractor. 4. The contract duration extends over five years, suggesting a long-term need. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 for Engineering Services. 6. The contract is not competitively procured, raising questions about price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $4.9 million over approximately five years for engineering support services is difficult to benchmark without more detailed scope of work. Given the sole-source nature of the award, it is challenging to assess if the pricing represents fair market value or if competitive pressures would have yielded a lower cost. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and labor categories to similar sole-source contracts or industry benchmarks for engineering services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service, or in specific circumstances where full and open competition is not feasible. The lack of competition means that potential cost savings that could arise from a bidding process are not realized.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for federal contracts and can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive pricing pressures.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA's facilities management and project teams, who will receive expert support. Services delivered include the development of facilities projects, crucial for NOAA's infrastructure. The contract is geographically focused on Washington D.C. (WA), where NOAA's headquarters and key facilities are located. The contract supports specialized engineering services, potentially impacting a niche segment of the engineering workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for small businesses and other potential vendors.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source procurement.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services.
Focus on project development indicates support for critical NOAA infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of federal procurement, supporting a wide range of government functions from infrastructure development to research and development. This contract falls under the Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) category. The market for these services is competitive, but specific niche expertise or existing relationships can influence procurement outcomes. Federal spending in engineering services is substantial, supporting national priorities across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the contractor, Golden Wolf, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract, either as prime contractors or potentially as subcontractors, unless specifically included by the prime.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's Office of the Inspector General, with specific program oversight managed by NOAA. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, and accountability will be measured by the successful completion of the facilities project development tasks as defined in the contract.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Facilities Management
Engineering Services Procurement
Department of Commerce Contracts
Sole Source Acquisitions

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency regarding the justification for sole-source procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $4.9 million to GOLDEN WOLF, LLC. OCAO DMR AND FCA SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CONTRACTOR WILL WORK WITH NOAA PPMD LEADERSHIP, PROJECT MANAGERS AND LINE OFFICE FACILITIES PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP FACILITIES PROJECTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLDEN WOLF, 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 $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-31. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific scope of work for Golden Wolf, LLC under this contract?

The provided data indicates that Golden Wolf, LLC will work with NOAA PPMD leadership, project managers, and line office facilities personnel to develop facilities projects. This suggests a role in the planning, design, and potentially pre-construction phases of NOAA's infrastructure initiatives. A detailed scope of work would typically be outlined in the contract's statement of work (SOW), specifying deliverables, timelines, and performance standards. Without the SOW, the precise nature of the 'support services' remains general.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal regulations permit sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. A formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval, J&A) would typically be required and publicly available for sole-source contracts exceeding certain dollar thresholds, detailing the rationale behind the non-competitive award. This justification is crucial for understanding why full and open competition was not pursued.

How does the $4.9 million contract value compare to similar NOAA facilities support contracts?

Benchmarking this $4.9 million contract value against similar NOAA facilities support contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and duration. However, for a definitive contract spanning approximately five years (August 2021 to March 2027), this value suggests a moderate level of investment in specialized engineering and project development support. Larger, multi-year infrastructure projects might involve significantly higher contract values, while smaller, short-term consulting engagements would be lower. The sole-source nature also complicates direct value comparisons, as competitive bidding often drives down costs.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for engineering services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source contract for engineering services is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pricing. Without competing bids, the government may not achieve the best possible value for its money. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit innovation by excluding other qualified firms that might offer alternative or more cost-effective solutions. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially reducing leverage in future negotiations. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.

What is Golden Wolf, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with NOAA or similar agencies?

Information regarding Golden Wolf, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially with NOAA or similar agencies, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government contracting databases to identify past performance, contract types, values, and performance ratings. Understanding their history, including any prior work on facilities projects or engineering services for the government, would provide valuable context for evaluating their capability and the appropriateness of this sole-source award.

What performance metrics or oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure successful project development?

While the provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics or oversight mechanisms, typical contract management practices would involve a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) from NOAA. The COR is responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with the contract terms, and approving deliverables. Performance would likely be evaluated against milestones, quality standards, and adherence to the project development schedule outlined in the Statement of Work. Regular progress reports and review meetings would also be standard oversight tools.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11723 DOE CREEK DR, LITHIA, FL, 33547

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,915,296

Exercised Options: $4,915,296

Current Obligation: $4,915,296

Actual Outlays: $2,581,528

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline