NOAA's $23.3M contract for scientific data stewardship supports Inflation Reduction Act initiatives

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,281,257 ($23.3M)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 912 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: THE NESDIS NCEI SEEKS EXPERTISE IN SCIENTIFIC DATA STEWARDSHIP, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND USER ENGAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NCEI'S SCIENCE ENTERPRISE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) AND THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28801

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $23.3 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: THE NESDIS NCEI SEEKS EXPERTISE IN SCIENTIFIC DATA STEWARDSHIP, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND USER ENGAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NCEI'S SCIENCE ENTERPRISE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) AND THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical data management for climate and infrastructure initiatives. 2. Value-for-money assessment pending detailed cost breakdown and performance metrics. 3. Competition dynamics suggest a robust market for specialized scientific data services. 4. Risk indicators include reliance on specific scientific expertise and project timeline. 5. Performance context tied to the successful implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. 6. Sector positioning within R&D highlights the growing importance of climate data. 7. Contract type is Time and Materials, requiring careful monitoring of labor hours. 8. Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ contract structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.3 million over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable for specialized scientific data stewardship services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data management and scientific support within NOAA or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of value. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure necessitates close oversight to ensure efficient use of labor hours and prevent cost overruns. Without detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the scope aligns with significant federal priorities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while full and open competition was intended, specific sources were excluded. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrowed competitive pool. This procurement approach may limit price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs if the excluded sources represented significant competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, due to the exclusion of certain sources, could mean taxpayers are not benefiting from the lowest possible price achievable through maximum market participation. This warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing was secured.

Public Impact

Benefits federal agencies and researchers by ensuring the integrity and accessibility of crucial scientific data. Delivers essential services for developing and managing data products related to climate change and infrastructure. Supports the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by providing the data backbone for its initiatives. Geographic impact is national, as NCEI data serves a wide range of users across the United States. Workforce implications include the need for highly skilled scientists, data managers, and IT professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Reliance on a limited number of bidders due to 'exclusion of sources' may impact price competitiveness.
Scope creep could occur if project requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependency on contractor's specialized scientific expertise could pose a risk if key personnel depart.

Positive Signals

Supports critical national priorities like the Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure development.
Contract awarded to Consolidated Safety Services, Inc., a known entity in government contracting.
Focus on scientific data stewardship is essential for evidence-based policy making.
Clear performance period with defined start and end dates.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on scientific data stewardship. The market for such services is driven by increasing data volumes from scientific instruments and simulations, particularly in climate science and environmental monitoring. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a significant spender in this area, with NCEI being a central hub for climate data. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal data management contracts, particularly those supporting environmental and scientific research initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that Small Business (SB) set-aside was not utilized (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, but it implies larger, established firms or those capable of competing in a broader, potentially less restricted environment are the primary awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be tied to the delivery of scientific data stewardship, product development, and user engagement services as outlined in the contract Statement of Work. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Implementation
National Climate Data Centers
NOAA Scientific Data Management
Environmental Monitoring Programs
Federal Research and Development Spending
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with T&M contract
Limited competition due to source exclusion
Data quality and standardization challenges
Scalability of data infrastructure for new initiatives
Ensuring long-term data accessibility and preservation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $23.3 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. THE NESDIS NCEI SEEKS EXPERTISE IN SCIENTIFIC DATA STEWARDSHIP, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND USER ENGAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NCEI'S SCIENCE ENTERPRISE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) AND THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED.

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 $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services, Incorporated in managing large-scale scientific data stewardship contracts?

Consolidated Safety Services, Incorporated (CSSI) has a history of providing a range of services to government agencies, often related to safety, environmental compliance, and technical support. While their primary expertise may not be exclusively in scientific data stewardship, they have experience in complex project management and technical services. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, a review of their past performance on similar-sized contracts, particularly those involving scientific data, data product development, and user engagement within agencies like NOAA or other scientific bodies, would be necessary. Examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes on prior government contracts would provide crucial context for their ability to meet NOAA's requirements.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar scientific data services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, offer flexibility by allowing the government to pay for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. This can be advantageous when the scope of work is not fully defined or is expected to evolve, as is common in R&D. However, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not meticulously monitored, as there is no pre-defined ceiling on the total cost. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, provide cost certainty for the government but require a very well-defined scope upfront and offer less flexibility for changes. For scientific data stewardship, where research and development are key, T&M can be appropriate, but it demands robust oversight mechanisms, including labor hour tracking, rate verification, and regular reviews to ensure value and prevent inefficiency. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts for scientific support would reveal if the estimated costs are in line with market rates for the labor and expertise required.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method for this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method, while allowing for competition, introduces specific risks. The primary risk is a potentially narrowed competitive landscape. By excluding certain sources, the government may forgo bids from highly qualified contractors who could have offered more competitive pricing or innovative solutions. This exclusion could stem from various reasons, such as prior performance issues, specific technical requirements, or even administrative decisions. The consequence for taxpayers is a reduced likelihood of achieving the lowest possible price, as the pool of potential bidders is smaller. It also raises questions about the justification for excluding specific sources and whether such exclusions were truly necessary for the government's best interest or could inadvertently limit market access.

How effectively does this contract align with the stated goals of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law?

This contract is directly aligned with the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by focusing on scientific data stewardship, product development, and user engagement. The IRA and infrastructure initiatives rely heavily on accurate, accessible, and well-managed scientific data to inform policy, track progress, and measure impact, particularly concerning climate change, energy, and environmental resilience. NCEI's role in providing this data infrastructure is crucial for the successful implementation and evaluation of programs funded under these landmark legislative acts. By ensuring the integrity and usability of data related to climate science, the contract supports evidence-based decision-making essential for achieving the environmental and economic objectives of the IRA and infrastructure investments.

What are the potential performance challenges for NCEI in managing the data generated or utilized by IRA-related projects?

Managing data for IRA-related projects presents several potential performance challenges for NCEI. Firstly, the sheer volume and diversity of data generated by new climate and energy initiatives could strain existing storage, processing, and archival capabilities. Secondly, ensuring data quality, standardization, and interoperability across various new projects and data sources will be complex. Thirdly, user engagement requires understanding and meeting the needs of a potentially broader and more diverse set of stakeholders, including policymakers, industry, and the public, who may have varying levels of data literacy. Finally, maintaining the long-term stewardship and accessibility of this data, especially for future research and policy evaluation, requires robust data management plans and sustained resources. The contractor's ability to address these challenges effectively will be critical to the success of the data support services.

Can the $23.3 million contract value be considered a benchmark for similar scientific data stewardship efforts?

The $23.3 million contract value for scientific data stewardship over approximately 2.5 years (912 days) serves as a data point, but its benchmark applicability depends heavily on the specifics of the services rendered. This amount supports expertise in scientific data stewardship, product development, and user engagement, specifically tied to climate initiatives like the IRA. To establish it as a reliable benchmark, comparisons should be made with contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity, particularly those awarded by NOAA or other agencies like NASA, NSF, or DOE for managing large scientific datasets, developing climate products, or supporting research infrastructure. Factors such as the number of personnel, required technical skills, data volume, and specific deliverables (e.g., software development vs. pure data archival) will significantly influence cost. Without these comparative details, it's an indicator rather than a definitive benchmark.

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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1332KP24R0001

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2750 PROSPERITY AVE, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,905,838

Exercised Options: $23,905,838

Current Obligation: $23,281,257

Actual Outlays: $15,643,210

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $7,929,744

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M423DNEEA0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline