NOAA awards $4.7M R&D contract to Data Networks, Inc. for engineering and operational support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,739,214 ($4.7M)
Contractor: Data Networks, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2029-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TRACSS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ADMINISTRATIVE
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $4.7 million to DATA NETWORKS, INC. for work described as: TRACSS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ADMINISTRATIVE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized engineering and operational support services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of five years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictability. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.7 million over five years for R&D engineering and operational support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and specific deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and expects cost certainty. The absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes a precise value-for-money assessment difficult, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' which is a standard competitive procurement method. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this designation implies that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and a wider range of technical solutions. The fact that it was competed openly suggests that multiple companies were interested and capable of providing the required services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is designed to secure the best value for government funds. Open competition helps drive down prices and encourages innovation among contractors vying for the award.
Public Impact
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will benefit from enhanced engineering and operational support. Services delivered will likely contribute to NOAA's research and development initiatives in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is geographically located in Maryland, suggesting a focus on operations or research facilities within that state. The contract may support a specialized workforce in engineering and technical support roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness and efficiency.
- The broad description of services could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
- Limited information on the specific technical challenges or innovations expected under this R&D contract.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Long contract duration (5 years) suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical support services.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. This sector is characterized by innovation, specialized expertise, and often long-term projects. Federal spending in R&D is crucial for scientific advancement and technological innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific sub-discipline of R&D and the scale of the support services required, but R&D contracts can range significantly in value.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Data Networks, Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a federal contract, it is subject to standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and audits. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like USASpending.gov. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Operations Support
- Federal Research and Development Contracts
- Engineering Services Contracts
- Information Technology Support Services (if applicable to operational support)
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Broad scope of services requires careful management.
- Limited public information on contractor's specific past performance in this domain.
Tags
research-and-development, engineering-services, operational-support, department-of-commerce, noaa, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, maryland, professional-scientific-and-technical-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $4.7 million to DATA NETWORKS, INC.. TRACSS ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ADMINISTRATIVE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DATA NETWORKS, INC..
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 $4.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2029-09-29.
What is the specific nature of the 'engineering and operational support services' to be provided?
The contract description is broad, stating the contractor shall 'provide all necessary qualified personnel, products, and services to provide technical engineering and operations support services to include, but not limited to administrative.' This suggests a wide range of potential activities, from technical consulting and system maintenance to project management and logistical support within NOAA's R&D initiatives. Without further details on specific tasks, deliverables, or performance metrics, it is difficult to ascertain the precise scope. Further clarification would be needed from NOAA's contracting documents to understand the exact nature and complexity of the support required.
How does the $4.7 million award compare to similar R&D support contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?
Direct comparison is challenging without granular data on the specific services rendered and the duration of similar contracts. However, $4.7 million over five years averages to approximately $940,000 per year. This figure is moderate for specialized R&D support services, which often require highly skilled personnel. Agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or Department of Energy (DOE) also fund R&D, and contract values can vary widely based on the project's scale and scientific domain. NOAA's specific mission needs will dictate the appropriate spending level for such support.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Data Networks, Inc.'s performance under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will be used to evaluate Data Networks, Inc.'s performance. Typically, for engineering and operational support contracts, KPIs might include timeliness of service delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget (if applicable to specific tasks), responsiveness to requests, and successful completion of defined milestones or objectives. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that meeting the defined scope and deliverables is paramount. A thorough review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to identify these evaluation criteria.
What is Data Networks, Inc.'s track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly with NOAA?
Information regarding Data Networks, Inc.'s specific track record with federal R&D contracts, especially with NOAA, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (e.g., SAM.gov, FPDS) for past awards, performance evaluations (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their past performance, especially in similar service areas, is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this new award and assessing the likelihood of successful contract execution.
What is the potential impact of this contract on NOAA's research capabilities and scientific output?
This contract is intended to bolster NOAA's research capabilities by providing essential engineering and operational support. By outsourcing these specialized services, NOAA can potentially free up its internal scientific and technical staff to focus on core research objectives, data analysis, and scientific discovery. The effectiveness of this support in enhancing research output will depend on the quality of services provided by Data Networks, Inc. and how well these services align with NOAA's strategic research goals and project timelines.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305M424R0051
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 11091 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,763,768
Exercised Options: $5,483,647
Current Obligation: $4,739,214
Actual Outlays: $2,389,856
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $307,747
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M423DNEEA0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2029-09-29
Potential End Date: 2029-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-16
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