Commerce Department awards $33.9M for data stewardship, with Earth Resources Technology LLC managing CLASS sustainment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,935,008 ($33.9M)

Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: COMPREHENSIVE LARGE ARRAY-DATA STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM (CLASS) SUSTAINMENT

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28801

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $33.9 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: COMPREHENSIVE LARGE ARRAY-DATA STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM (CLASS) SUSTAINMENT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the multi-year sustainment effort for a critical data system. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, focusing on performance and schedule adherence over the contract duration. 4. This contract supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) vital data management functions. 5. Positioned within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on data management and computer services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $33.9 million over approximately four years for sustainment of a large data system is within a reasonable range for similar IT services. Benchmarking against other large-scale data management contracts would provide a clearer picture of value, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking. The Time and Materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers. The presence of multiple bidders typically leads to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of qualified contractors to vie for the work.

Public Impact

Benefits NOAA in maintaining and enhancing the CLASS system, crucial for environmental data. Ensures continued availability and integrity of vital Earth observation and climate data. Supports scientific research and policy-making reliant on accurate and accessible environmental data. Potential workforce implications for IT professionals specializing in data stewardship and system sustainment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for sustainment could pose transition risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring data security and integrity throughout the sustainment period is paramount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Contract duration of nearly four years provides stability for sustainment efforts.
Focus on sustainment of a critical data system highlights its importance to agency operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on data management and computer-related services. The market for IT sustainment and data stewardship is substantial, driven by government and commercial entities' increasing reliance on digital information. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale data system sustainment can vary widely based on complexity, data volume, and required uptime, but this award represents a significant investment in maintaining critical infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in subcontracting opportunities under this award or if there are broader implications for the small business IT ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Data Management Systems
Federal Data Stewardship Contracts
IT Infrastructure Sustainment
Cloud Computing Services
Environmental Data Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep under Time and Materials contract.
Dependence on contractor for critical system sustainment.
Ensuring data security and integrity over the contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $33.9 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. COMPREHENSIVE LARGE ARRAY-DATA STEWARDSHIP SYSTEM (CLASS) SUSTAINMENT

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 $33.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of Earth Resources Technology, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in data stewardship?

Earth Resources Technology, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the IT and scientific support domains. While specific details on their track record for the CLASS sustainment are not provided in this summary, their past performance on similar contracts would be a key factor in the award decision. A review of their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would offer insight into their reliability and capability for managing large-scale data systems. Their experience with NOAA or similar agencies would also be a relevant indicator of their suitability for this specific task.

How does the $33.9 million contract value compare to similar data stewardship or IT sustainment contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

The $33.9 million contract value for approximately four years of sustainment for the CLASS system is a significant but not extraordinary amount for large-scale federal IT infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires detailed comparison of scope, complexity, data volume, and service level agreements. For instance, contracts for managing large scientific datasets, maintaining critical IT infrastructure, or providing comprehensive data stewardship services for agencies like NASA, USGS, or EPA could offer comparable metrics. Without specific details on the CLASS system's scale and criticality, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value suggests a substantial and ongoing operational requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with the sustainment of the CLASS system, and how does this contract address them?

Key risks in sustaining a large data system like CLASS include technological obsolescence, data integrity degradation, cybersecurity threats, and potential performance bottlenecks. This contract, awarded through full and open competition, aims to mitigate risks by selecting a capable contractor. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, introduces a risk of cost escalation if not managed tightly through robust oversight, performance metrics, and regular reviews. The contract duration of nearly four years provides stability, reducing risks associated with frequent contractor transitions. Specific performance standards and reporting requirements within the contract would further define how these risks are managed and mitigated.

How effective is the CLASS system in supporting NOAA's mission, and what is the anticipated impact of this sustainment contract on its effectiveness?

The Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) is critical for NOAA's mission, serving as a central repository for vast amounts of environmental data essential for research, forecasting, and policy. Its effectiveness directly impacts NOAA's ability to monitor climate, weather, and oceans. This sustainment contract is intended to ensure the continued operational integrity, accessibility, and potentially the modernization of the CLASS system. By maintaining and enhancing the system, the contract aims to prevent data loss, improve data retrieval, and ensure the system can handle evolving data needs, thereby bolstering NOAA's overall effectiveness in its scientific and operational mandates.

What are the historical spending patterns for data stewardship and IT sustainment at NOAA, and how does this award fit within that context?

Historical spending patterns at NOAA for data stewardship and IT sustainment are likely characterized by consistent, significant investments due to the agency's data-intensive nature. Agencies like NOAA manage immense volumes of scientific data, requiring ongoing expenditure for storage, processing, maintenance, and upgrades. This $33.9 million award for CLASS sustainment represents a substantial, multi-year commitment that aligns with the agency's need to maintain critical data infrastructure. It is probable that NOAA has allocated significant budgets in previous years for similar sustainment efforts, and this contract reflects a continuation of that necessary investment to ensure data continuity and accessibility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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, Not Designated a Small 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: $61,270,446

Exercised Options: $45,830,451

Current Obligation: $33,935,008

Actual Outlays: $20,940,783

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1332KP21DNEEB0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline