NOAA awards $10.5M for sensor science and crosscutting technology R&D to Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,537,847 ($10.5M)

Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-08-23

End Date: 2026-08-22

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/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: SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSSCUTTING TECHNOLOGY (SENSORS 2.0) - THE SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSS-CUTTING TECHNOLOGY TASK WILL EMPLOY TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE, AND RELATED SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH, PLANNING, ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMEN

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSSCUTTING TECHNOLOGY (SENSORS 2.0) - THE SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSS-CUTTING TECHNOLOGY TASK WILL EMPLOY TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE, AND RELATED SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH, PLANNING, ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMEN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research, planning, assessment, and development in sensor science. 2. The award represents a significant investment in advancing technological capabilities for Earth observation. 3. Performance period spans two years, indicating a focused effort on specific project milestones. 4. The contract type (Time and Materials) suggests flexibility is needed for evolving research requirements. 5. The small business status of the contractor is not indicated, requiring further investigation into subcontracting. 6. The geographic location of performance is Maryland, potentially impacting local economic development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.5M for a two-year R&D effort in sensor science appears within a reasonable range for specialized technical services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar sensor development contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as it allows for reimbursement of actual labor and material costs plus a fixed fee or hourly rate. Benchmarking against other government R&D contracts in physical sciences would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests an initial broad solicitation followed by a specific exclusion, or a limited competition among pre-qualified vendors. The presence of 4 offers indicates some level of competition, but the specific nature of the exclusion needs further clarification to understand the full competitive landscape. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, but can be justified for specialized R&D where a limited pool of qualified contractors exists.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from specialized expertise being brought to bear on critical sensor technology development. However, the limited competition may mean that the government did not secure the absolute lowest possible price achievable through a wider bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and potentially other federal agencies relying on advanced sensor technology for Earth observation and resource management. The contract will deliver technical, scientific, and management expertise to support research, planning, assessment, and development of sensor technologies. The geographic impact is primarily in Maryland, where the contractor is located and performance is expected. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for scientists, engineers, and technical staff within Earth Resources Technology, LLC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation requires careful review to ensure the exclusion was fully justified and did not unduly limit competition.
The Time and Materials contract type necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient use of resources.
Lack of explicit small business set-aside information requires verification of subcontracting plans to ensure small business participation.

Positive Signals

The award to Earth Resources Technology, LLC suggests they possess the specialized expertise required for advanced sensor science and crosscutting technology R&D.
The existence of 4 offers indicates a degree of market interest and capability within the relevant industry sector.
The contract's focus on R&D aligns with NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for sensor technology is highly specialized and driven by advancements in areas like remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. NOAA's investment in sensor science is crucial for its mission-critical activities, including environmental monitoring, climate modeling, and disaster prediction. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other agencies investing in similar scientific instrumentation and R&D, such as NASA or the Department of Defense, though specific figures vary widely based on the complexity and scope of the research.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means the competition was open to all eligible sources, including large businesses. While there is no explicit requirement for small business subcontracting in the provided data, government contracts of this size often include such clauses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem within the sensor technology and R&D sectors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, material costs, and progress against milestones will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns. Transparency will depend on NOAA's reporting practices and the availability of contract performance data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Satellite Operations
NASA Earth Science
NSF Directorate for Geosciences
Department of Energy - Office of Science
DoD Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Limited competition may impact optimal price discovery.
Need for clear definition and monitoring of R&D milestones.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' requires scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSSCUTTING TECHNOLOGY (SENSORS 2.0) - THE SENSOR SCIENCE AND CROSS-CUTTING TECHNOLOGY TASK WILL EMPLOY TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE, AND RELATED SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF RESEARCH, PLANNING, ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPMEN

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 $10.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-23. End: 2026-08-22.

What is the specific technical expertise Earth Resources Technology, LLC brings to sensor science and crosscutting technology development?

The provided data does not detail the specific technical expertise of Earth Resources Technology, LLC. However, the award of this contract by NOAA suggests the company possesses demonstrated capabilities in areas relevant to sensor science and crosscutting technologies. This could include expertise in areas such as optical sensing, radar technology, signal processing, data fusion, materials science for sensor components, or the integration of various sensor platforms. To fully assess their capabilities, one would need to review their past performance on similar contracts, their technical proposals submitted for this award, and potentially their corporate research and development portfolio. NOAA's selection implies a thorough vetting process based on technical merit and relevant experience.

How does the $10.5M award compare to historical NOAA spending on sensor R&D?

Without access to historical NOAA spending data specifically categorized for 'sensor science and crosscutting technology R&D,' a direct comparison is difficult. NOAA's overall budget is substantial, allocated across various scientific missions including climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Investments in sensor technology are fundamental to these missions, supporting everything from satellite instruments to in-situ monitoring devices. A $10.5 million award for a two-year R&D effort is a significant but not extraordinary sum for specialized scientific research. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze NOAA's budget justifications and contract databases for similar R&D procurements over the past several fiscal years, looking for contracts with comparable scope, duration, and technical focus.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a Research and Development (R&D) contract focused on sensor science and crosscutting technology, typical KPIs would likely revolve around the successful completion of research objectives, development of prototypes or proof-of-concept technologies, timely delivery of technical reports and assessments, and adherence to project milestones. Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, performance might also be measured by the efficient utilization of labor hours and materials relative to the progress made. NOAA's contracting officers and technical monitors would establish these KPIs in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and monitor performance against them throughout the contract's duration.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D in this field?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, while offering flexibility for R&D projects with evolving requirements, carry inherent risks. The primary risk is cost escalation, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or rate. Without stringent oversight and well-defined ceilings, costs can exceed initial estimates. For R&D, this means that unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep could significantly increase the contract's final value. Another risk is ensuring contractor efficiency; T&M contracts can sometimes incentivize longer task durations if not managed carefully. To mitigate these risks, NOAA must implement robust monitoring of labor categories, hours, material purchases, and require regular progress reports tied to deliverables.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method impact price discovery and overall value?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method implies that the solicitation was initially open to all responsible sources, but then certain sources were excluded before award, or it was a limited competition after an initial exclusion. This method can impact price discovery by potentially narrowing the field of bidders compared to a pure full and open competition. If the exclusion was based on highly specialized capabilities, it might be justified. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit the number of competitive bids received, potentially leading to higher prices than might be achieved in a broader competition. The value realized depends heavily on the justification for the exclusion and the competitiveness among the remaining bidders. The presence of 4 offers suggests some level of competition, but understanding the rationale behind the exclusion is key to assessing the impact on taxpayer value.

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

Solicitation ID: 1332KP24R0004

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,380,585

Exercised Options: $10,577,801

Current Obligation: $10,537,847

Actual Outlays: $6,668,593

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M423DNEEA0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline