Commerce Awards $70.7M Cloud Compute Task Order to L3Harris for NOAA
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $70,682,379 ($70.7M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-11-04
End Date: 2028-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,273 days
Daily Burn Rate: $55.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: GGSS TASK ORDER 05 - GEO CLOUD COMPUTE SUBSYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: MELBOURNE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32902
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $70.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: GGSS TASK ORDER 05 - GEO CLOUD COMPUTE SUBSYSTEM Key points: 1. Significant award for cloud computing services to support NOAA's mission. 2. L3Harris Technologies secures a substantial contract, indicating strong capabilities. 3. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 4. The contract spans over four years, indicating a long-term need. 5. Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) is a key sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar custom programming services contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the specific pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential cloud computing infrastructure for a critical government agency. The competitive award process aims to optimize spending, but cost control remains important.
Public Impact
Enhances NOAA's data processing and storage capabilities for critical environmental monitoring. Supports scientific research and weather forecasting through advanced computing infrastructure. Ensures continuity of essential government services reliant on cloud technology. Potential for job creation within the IT sector supporting this contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost escalation.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency upfront.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if future needs are heavily reliant on this specific solution.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Long-term contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.
- Supports a critical government function (NOAA) with essential IT infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector, a vital area for government IT modernization. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale cloud computing contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and that the awardee is not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Commerce to ensure costs remain reasonable and aligned with the fixed fee. Performance monitoring will be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for cost overruns without strict oversight.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $70.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. GGSS TASK ORDER 05 - GEO CLOUD COMPUTE SUBSYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
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 $70.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-11-04. End: 2028-04-30.
What specific cloud computing services are included in this task order, and how do they align with NOAA's strategic objectives?
This task order focuses on 'Geo Cloud Compute Subsystem' services, likely encompassing infrastructure, platform, and potentially software-as-a-service components tailored for geographic data processing and analysis. These services are expected to align with NOAA's objectives of enhancing weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and managing vast amounts of environmental data more efficiently and securely.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will L3Harris's performance be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for cloud computing services, KPIs would include uptime/availability, latency, data security compliance, response times for support, and scalability. NOAA's contracting officers will need to establish and monitor these metrics to ensure L3Harris meets the required service levels.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure mitigate risks associated with potential scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges?
The 'Fixed Fee' component of the CPFF structure provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit, incentivizing efficiency. However, the 'Cost Plus' aspect means the government bears the risk of increased costs. Mitigation relies heavily on detailed SOWs, rigorous change control processes, and proactive project management by NOAA to prevent uncontrolled cost growth due to scope creep or technical issues.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 2400 PALM BAY RD NE, PALM BAY, FL, 32905
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $107,480,086
Exercised Options: $72,365,246
Current Obligation: $70,682,379
Actual Outlays: $32,383,970
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1332KP23DNAAA0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-11-04
Current End Date: 2028-04-30
Potential End Date: 2028-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
More Contracts from L3harris Technologies, Inc.
- 200204!000024!5700!GV59 !esc/Ndk !F1962802C0010 !A!N! !N! !20020130!20020930!052819732!052819732!001216845!n!itt Industries, Inc , Systems !4410 E Fountain Blvd !colorado Sprin !co!80916!16000!041!08!colorado Springs !EL Paso !colorado !+000003175920!n!n!000519009204!j099!maint & Repair of Eq/Miscellaneous Equipment !A7 !electronics and Communication !3gwq!474l Bmews !541512!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !B! !a!n!r!2!002!b! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!d!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! — $2.2B (Department of Defense)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (Department of Commerce)
- Requisition for MOD - Incrementally Funded - This PR Provides Funding for Ads-B National Contract Support for SBS Program Office — $1.3B (Department of Transportation)
- Award of Maintenance of Space Surveillence and Integrated Capabilities Contract — $1.2B (Department of Defense)
- TAS::80 0122::TAS Development, Manufacturing and Support to Weather Observing Instrument — $1.0B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other Department of Commerce Contracts
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (L3harris Technologies, Inc.)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Jpss Common Ground System Instrument and Support — $1.6B (Raytheon Company)
- Enterprise Solutions Framework (ESF) for Multi-Tiered Acquisition Framework for Systems Engineering and Integration - Program Tier Work Order 003 - 2020 Census Technical Integrator — $1.5B (T-Rex Solutions LLC)
- THE Goal of the Decennial Response Integration System (dris) Contract IS to Obtain a Practical Solution to Providing Respondent Assistance and Data Capture for the 2010 Census — $930.7M (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance (2020 CQA) — $918.3M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)