NOAA awards $874K for web app development to T and T Consulting Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $874,060 ($874.1K)

Contractor: T and T Consulting Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-09-23

End Date: 2026-09-22

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NOAA WEB APP DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $874,060.47 to T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: NOAA WEB APP DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract is for custom computer programming services, focusing on web application development and modernization. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The duration of 729 days allows for comprehensive development and modernization efforts. 5. Awarded to T and T Consulting Services Inc., a single entity, under full and open competition. 6. The contract is a call against a larger BPA, suggesting potential for future task orders and scalability.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $874,060.47 for a 729-day period for web application development and modernization appears reasonable. While specific benchmarks for this exact service are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs. The award was made under a BPA Call, which implies that some level of pre-negotiation and competitive sourcing has already occurred, potentially leading to better pricing than a standalone contract. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and deliverables to similar NOAA or other federal agency web development projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows 4 bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and encourages competitive pricing, which is beneficial for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and its various administrations, which will receive modernized web applications to support their operations. Services delivered include the development and modernization of web applications, crucial for data dissemination, user interaction, and internal processes. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located, but the services will support NOAA's national and potentially international operations. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for software developers, project managers, and other IT professionals within T and T Consulting Services Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed throughout the development lifecycle.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical web application development could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring timely delivery of modernized applications within the fixed-price contract requires robust project management from both the contractor and the agency.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for NOAA.
Awarding under a BPA Call suggests a streamlined procurement process and potentially pre-vetted capabilities of the contractor.
The competition, with 4 bids received, indicates a market capable of supporting this requirement and provides a basis for value assessment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The market for web application development and modernization is robust and highly competitive, with numerous small, medium, and large businesses offering these services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to update legacy systems, improve user experience, and enhance data accessibility across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar custom software development projects, particularly those focused on web platforms and data visualization.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the awardee is not a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, unless T and T Consulting Services Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a firm fixed-price contract, performance monitoring and quality assurance will be key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

NOAA IT Modernization Efforts
Custom Software Development Services
Federal Web Application Development
BPA Call Procurements
Department of Commerce IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for technical debt if modernization is not comprehensive.
Risk of vendor lock-in if future development relies heavily on proprietary solutions.
Dependence on contractor's cybersecurity practices for sensitive NOAA data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $874,060.47 to T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. NOAA WEB APP DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is T AND T CONSULTING SERVICES 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 $874,060.47.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2026-09-22.

What is the track record of T and T Consulting Services Inc. in delivering similar web application development projects for federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of T and T Consulting Services Inc. requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving custom web application development and modernization. Publicly available data, such as contract award histories and performance evaluations (if accessible), can provide insights. Key areas to examine would include their ability to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the specified technical requirements. Understanding their experience with NOAA's specific mission needs or similar scientific/data-intensive applications would also be crucial. A lack of extensive, relevant past performance could indicate a higher risk for this project, while a strong history would provide greater confidence in their capabilities.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar custom computer programming services?

Benchmarking the $874,060.47 award against market rates for custom computer programming services requires detailed analysis of the contract's scope of work, labor categories, and duration. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee the best value without comparison. Factors like the complexity of the web applications, the specific technologies used, and the required expertise influence pricing. Comparing this contract's total value and estimated labor hours (if derivable) to industry reports or databases for similar federal or commercial projects would be necessary. Given it's a BPA Call, some pre-negotiated rates might be in play, potentially offering efficiencies. However, a direct comparison to prevailing market rates for equivalent services is essential for a comprehensive value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this NOAA web application development contract include potential technical challenges in modernizing existing systems, ensuring seamless integration with other NOAA platforms, and managing scope creep. The firm fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, can increase risk for the contractor if unforeseen technical hurdles arise, potentially impacting quality or schedule. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear definition of requirements and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and strong technical oversight from NOAA. The contractor's experience and the competitive bidding process also serve as risk mitigation factors, suggesting a capable vendor was selected. Continuous communication and agile development methodologies could further address evolving needs.

How effective is the chosen competition level (full and open) in ensuring value for taxpayer money for this specific IT service?

The full and open competition level is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for taxpayer money for IT services like web application development. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids. The receipt of 4 bids in this instance suggests sufficient market interest. This competitive pressure typically drives down prices and encourages offerors to propose innovative solutions and high-quality services to win the contract. While a sole-source or limited competition might be faster, full and open competition provides a stronger foundation for achieving best value and preventing potential overpricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar web application development services within NOAA or the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar web application development services within NOAA or the Department of Commerce is crucial for context. This involves examining past contract awards for custom programming, web development, and IT modernization over several fiscal years. Key metrics to track would include the average contract value, duration, number of bidders, and the types of services procured. Understanding these trends helps determine if the current $874K award is within the typical range, if spending has increased or decreased, and whether competition levels have remained consistent. Significant deviations from historical norms might warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons, such as increased demand, new technological requirements, or shifts in procurement strategies.

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 - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 431 PARK AVE SUITE 201, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22046

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $958,755

Exercised Options: $958,755

Current Obligation: $874,060

Actual Outlays: $626,443

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0073

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline