NOAA awards $25.4M for satellite-aided search and rescue operations, extending support through March 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,386,673 ($25.4M)

Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-09-22

End Date: 2026-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE-AIDED TRACKING UNITED STATES MISSION CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $25.4 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE-AIDED TRACKING UNITED STATES MISSION CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized satellite operations and maintenance. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of over 3 years indicates a need for stable, long-term support. 4. Focus on R&D NAICS code may indicate innovation or advanced technology integration. 5. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 6. Geographic focus on Maryland for operations center.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.4 million over approximately 3.5 years for search and rescue satellite operations and maintenance appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for satellite ground station operations or emergency communication systems would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the cost overrun risk, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the government receives the most advantageous offer available.

Public Impact

Benefits mariners and aviators by ensuring the reliability of satellite-aided search and rescue systems. Delivers critical operations and maintenance support for the United States Mission Control Center. Ensures continuity of life-saving services reliant on satellite tracking technology. Supports a specialized technical workforce involved in satellite communications and emergency response.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not transferable.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical life-saving infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.
Contractor's performance history with similar systems would be a positive indicator.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on satellite operations and ground support. The market for such services is characterized by high technical barriers to entry and significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely involve contracts for satellite ground station maintenance, command and control systems, or emergency communication network operations, which often represent substantial, long-term investments.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the specialized nature of satellite operations and maintenance, it is possible that larger, established firms with specific expertise are more likely to compete. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses have opportunities within this contract's scope, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT)
NOAA Satellite Operations
Emergency Communications Systems
Satellite Ground Station Support

Risk Flags

Critical infrastructure reliance
Potential for single-source dependency if competition narrows in future
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in satellite communication systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $25.4 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE-AIDED TRACKING UNITED STATES MISSION CONTROL CENTER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, 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 $25.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-22. End: 2026-03-21.

What is the track record of Earth Resources Technology, LLC in supporting similar government satellite operations?

Earth Resources Technology, LLC (ERT) has a history of providing environmental and engineering consulting services, including support for government agencies like NOAA. While specific details on their experience with satellite mission control center operations and maintenance are not fully elaborated in the provided data, their existing relationship with NOAA suggests a level of familiarity with the agency's requirements. A deeper dive into ERT's past performance on contracts involving satellite systems, data processing, and operational support would be necessary to fully assess their capability and reliability for this specific search and rescue mission control function. Their ability to maintain critical systems and ensure uptime is paramount for life-saving operations.

How does the $25.4 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar satellite operations and maintenance services?

The $25.4 million contract value for approximately 3.5 years of operations and maintenance support for the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) United States Mission Control Center needs to be contextualized against similar government contracts. Benchmarking requires identifying contracts with comparable scope, such as those for maintaining satellite ground stations, managing command and control systems, or providing operational support for emergency communication networks. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this value is high or low. However, given the critical nature of search and rescue services and the specialized technology involved, a multi-million dollar investment over several years is not unusual for ensuring system reliability and continuity.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential technical failures of the satellite systems or ground control infrastructure, contractor performance issues, and cybersecurity threats. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract terms. The firm fixed-price structure shifts financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs effectively. NOAA's oversight, including performance monitoring and acceptance criteria, aims to ensure the contractor meets operational requirements. Cybersecurity protocols and regular system maintenance are crucial for mitigating technical and security risks. The long-term nature of the contract also implies a need for robust contingency planning and potential knowledge transfer mechanisms.

How effective is the SARSAT system in supporting search and rescue operations, and what is the role of this contract in ensuring its effectiveness?

The Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system is a globally recognized and highly effective program that uses satellites to detect and locate distress beacons (like those from aircraft and ships), significantly reducing search and rescue response times and saving lives. This contract is critical because it ensures the continuous operation and maintenance of the United States Mission Control Center, which is a vital component of the SARSAT network. Without reliable operations and maintenance, the mission control center could fail, disrupting the detection and relay of distress signals, thereby compromising the effectiveness of the entire SARSAT system and potentially endangering lives.

What are the historical spending trends for the SARSAT Mission Control Center operations and maintenance?

Historical spending data for the SARSAT Mission Control Center operations and maintenance prior to this specific $25.4 million award would provide valuable context. Analyzing previous contract values, durations, and any associated modifications over the past several years would reveal trends in funding levels and potential fluctuations in costs. Understanding these historical patterns can help assess whether the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this critical capability. It can also highlight any significant changes in operational requirements or technological advancements that may have influenced past spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14401 SWEITZER LN STE 300, LAUREL, MD, 20707

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,925,494

Exercised Options: $25,386,723

Current Obligation: $25,386,673

Actual Outlays: $15,982,036

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCST133017CQ0049

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline