NOAA awards $10.2M for scientific services, engineering, and program management to Global Science & Technology, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,231,228 ($10.2M)

Contractor: Global Science & Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-12-21

End Date: 2026-12-20

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: LEO AND OSPO REQUIRE SCIENTIFIC SERVICES SUPPORT (5), ENGINEERING SERVICES (11.5), ANALYTICAL (2), AND PROGRAM OPERATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (4). THESE FTES WILL BE SUPPORTING NON-IT REQUIREMENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10.2 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: LEO AND OSPO REQUIRE SCIENTIFIC SERVICES SUPPORT (5), ENGINEERING SERVICES (11.5), ANALYTICAL (2), AND PROGRAM OPERATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (4). THESE FTES WILL BE SUPPORTING NON-IT REQUIREMENTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on non-IT scientific and engineering support, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. The duration of the contract (1095 days) suggests a long-term requirement for these services. 3. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying a phased or modular approach to service delivery. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. The specific NAICS code (541715) points to research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The contractor, Global Science & Technology, LLC, has secured this significant award, highlighting their role in supporting federal scientific endeavors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $10.2 million over three years. Without specific benchmarks for similar scientific support contracts or detailed breakdowns of the Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not carefully monitored for efficiency and scope creep. Benchmarking against industry standards for scientific, engineering, and program management support would be necessary for a more definitive valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the initial intent was full and open competition, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of some potential sources before the final award. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrowed field compared to a truly open competition, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in less downward pressure on pricing than a fully open process with multiple bidders, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will benefit from enhanced scientific services, engineering support, and program operation management. This contract supports critical non-IT requirements, ensuring the continuity and advancement of NOAA's scientific missions. The services provided are essential for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract is based in Maryland (MD), suggesting a concentration of workforce and operational impact in that geographic area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process may limit competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess efficiency.

Positive Signals

Award to a single contractor for a significant duration suggests a stable and reliable partnership.
The contract addresses critical scientific and engineering needs for a key federal agency.
The award is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger, potentially well-established framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for scientific and engineering support services for federal agencies is substantial, with numerous companies specializing in these areas. NOAA's work often involves complex data analysis, modeling, and operational support, requiring specialized expertise that this contract aims to procure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar scientific support services across agencies like NASA, NSF, or DOD.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from small business set-aside requirements for this contract. The focus appears to be on securing the necessary scientific and engineering expertise, regardless of the prime contractor's size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs is crucial to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potential reviews by NOAA's Inspector General, especially concerning the use of funds and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Federal Scientific Research and Development Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Program Management Support Services
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Procurement
Time and Materials Contract Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10.2 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC. LEO AND OSPO REQUIRE SCIENTIFIC SERVICES SUPPORT (5), ENGINEERING SERVICES (11.5), ANALYTICAL (2), AND PROGRAM OPERATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (4). THESE FTES WILL BE SUPPORTING NON-IT REQUIREMENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL SCIENCE & 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 $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-21. End: 2026-12-20.

What is the specific breakdown of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) and their associated labor categories (e.g., scientists, engineers, program managers) within this contract?

The provided data indicates the need for Scientific Services Support (5 FTEs), Engineering Services (11.5 FTEs), Analytical (2 FTEs), and Program Operation Management Support (4 FTEs), totaling 22.5 FTEs. However, a detailed breakdown of the specific labor categories within these broad descriptions, such as junior vs. senior scientists or specialized engineering disciplines, is not available. Understanding the precise mix of expertise and seniority levels would be crucial for a more granular assessment of labor costs and the contractor's ability to meet specialized scientific and engineering demands.

How does the $10.2 million contract value compare to historical spending by NOAA for similar scientific and engineering support services?

To compare the $10.2 million contract value to historical NOAA spending, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded for scientific services, engineering support, and program management. This would involve identifying contracts with similar scope, duration (1095 days), and labor categories. A preliminary assessment suggests that $10.2 million over three years for 22.5 FTEs is within a reasonable range for specialized scientific and engineering support in the federal sector. However, a definitive comparison requires access to historical procurement data and a detailed analysis of contract line item numbers (CLINs) and labor rates from previous awards.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to measure contractor performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for scientific services, engineering support, and program management, KPIs might include metrics related to project completion timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., reports, analyses, designs), adherence to budget, responsiveness, and innovation. SLAs would define the expected level of service, such as response times for inquiries or availability of personnel. Without these defined metrics, assessing the contractor's performance and ensuring value for money becomes more challenging.

What specific scientific disciplines or engineering fields are encompassed by the 'Scientific Services Support' and 'Engineering Services' requirements?

The contract specifies 'Scientific Services Support (5)', 'Engineering Services (11.5)', 'Analytical (2)', and 'Program Operation Management Support (4)' for non-IT requirements. While the NAICS code 541715 points to 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)', the exact scientific disciplines and engineering fields are not detailed. This could range broadly across areas like atmospheric science, oceanography, environmental science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or systems engineering, depending on NOAA's specific programmatic needs.

What is the rationale behind the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award strategy, and how many sources were initially considered?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' strategy implies that the agency initially intended to compete the requirement broadly but subsequently excluded certain sources before the final award. The specific reasons for exclusion are not provided in the data but could stem from various factors such as past performance issues, inability to meet specific technical requirements, or strategic sourcing decisions. The number of sources initially considered is also not specified. This approach suggests a deliberate process to narrow down the field based on predefined criteria, aiming for a balance between competition and efficiency.

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

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7501 GREENWAY CENTER DR, GREENBELT, MD, 20770

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,231,228

Exercised Options: $10,231,228

Current Obligation: $10,231,228

Actual Outlays: $5,682,058

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M423DNEEA0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline