NOAA awards $24.3M contract to Space Sciences and Engineering LLC for critical GNSS data services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,345,500 ($24.3M)

Contractor: Space Sciences and Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-09-18

End Date: 2026-09-18

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $66.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO ACQUIRE 6500 NEAR-REAL-TIME GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) RADIO OCCULTATION (RO) DATA/PER DAY, 2500 COMPLIANT TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT (TEC) IONOSPHERIC TRACKS/PER DAY AND 500 FOR ENHANCED SNR

Place of Performance

Location: GOLDEN, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80401

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $24.3 million to SPACE SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: TO ACQUIRE 6500 NEAR-REAL-TIME GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) RADIO OCCULTATION (RO) DATA/PER DAY, 2500 COMPLIANT TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT (TEC) IONOSPHERIC TRACKS/PER DAY AND 500 FOR ENHANCED SNR Key points: 1. The contract focuses on acquiring near-real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) data and ionospheric tracks. 2. This data is crucial for improving weather forecasting and space weather monitoring. 3. The award represents a significant investment in advanced atmospheric and ionospheric data processing. 4. The contractor, Space Sciences and Engineering LLC, has a role in providing essential scientific data. 5. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for future extensions. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.3 million for one year of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of GNSS data acquisition and processing. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific data services is challenging due to the unique specifications. However, the provided data suggests a competitive procurement process, which typically leads to fair pricing. The government's obligation is for the base year, with options to extend, allowing for flexibility and cost management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered. The specific details of the bidding process, including the number of bidders, are not provided in the summary data. However, the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition that should have driven competitive pricing and ensured the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and its National Weather Service, which will utilize the data for enhanced weather forecasting and climate research. The services delivered include the acquisition and processing of critical GNSS RO and TEC data, essential for understanding atmospheric conditions. The geographic impact is global, as the data is derived from near-real-time global navigation satellite systems. The contract supports scientific and technical workforce needs within the specialized field of space sciences and engineering.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The specialized nature of the data may limit the pool of qualified alternative vendors.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration allows for a stable period of service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' sector, specifically focusing on scientific data acquisition and processing. This is a niche but critical area supporting meteorological and space weather research. The market for such specialized data services is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified providers. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific market data, but NOAA's investment reflects the value placed on high-quality atmospheric data.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) and set-asides (ss: false) were not factors in this specific award. This suggests the contract was not targeted towards small businesses, and there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus appears to be on specialized technical capabilities rather than small business engagement.

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 specified data quantities and quality standards outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Operations
Space Weather Prediction Center
Climate Research Programs
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Applications
Atmospheric Science Research

Risk Flags

Data quality and timeliness are critical; any degradation could impact downstream applications.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized data requires diligent oversight.
Potential for scope creep or changes in data requirements over the contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $24.3 million to SPACE SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING LLC. TO ACQUIRE 6500 NEAR-REAL-TIME GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) RADIO OCCULTATION (RO) DATA/PER DAY, 2500 COMPLIANT TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT (TEC) IONOSPHERIC TRACKS/PER DAY AND 500 FOR ENHANCED SNR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPACE SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING 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 $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-18. End: 2026-09-18.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar GNSS data acquisition services by NOAA?

Historical spending data for similar GNSS data acquisition services by NOAA is not directly available in the provided summary. However, understanding past investments in related scientific data processing and acquisition can provide context. NOAA has consistently invested in data sources that improve weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Contracts for satellite data, ground-based sensor networks, and data processing services represent a significant portion of NOAA's research and development budget. Analyzing trends in contract values, durations, and competition levels for these related areas would offer insights into the agency's long-term strategy and budget allocation for critical scientific data.

How does the per-unit cost of acquiring GNSS RO data compare to industry benchmarks?

A direct per-unit cost comparison for acquiring GNSS RO data is difficult without specific details on the cost breakdown per data type (e.g., per RO profile, per TEC track). The contract value of $24.3 million covers a significant volume of data (6500 RO data/day, 2500 TEC tracks/day, 500 enhanced SNR tracks/day) over 365 days. Industry benchmarks for such specialized scientific data are not readily available in public databases. However, the 'full and open competition' suggests that the pricing was vetted against market capabilities. The value of the data lies in its scientific utility for forecasting and research, which often commands a premium over standard data processing services.

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

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not explicitly detailed in the provided summary data. However, based on the contract's objective to 'ACQUIRE 6500 NEAR-REAL-TIME GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) RADIO OCCULTATION (RO) DATA/PER DAY, 2500 COMPLIANT TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT (TEC) IONOSPHERIC TRACKS/PER DAY AND 500 FOR ENHANCED SNR,' it can be inferred that KPIs would likely include data volume delivered per day, data accuracy and quality (e.g., compliance with standards), timeliness of delivery (near-real-time), and potentially system uptime or availability. Measurement would typically involve government monitoring of data feeds, quality control checks, and reporting mechanisms established within the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of Space Sciences and Engineering LLC in delivering similar scientific data services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Space Sciences and Engineering LLC in delivering similar scientific data services is not provided in the summary data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any publicly available project details related to their work with government agencies, particularly NOAA or other organizations involved in atmospheric or space science. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would typically hold such information, allowing for an evaluation of their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on previous contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on this contractor for critical near-real-time data?

Potential risks associated with relying on Space Sciences and Engineering LLC for critical near-real-time data include performance failures (e.g., inability to meet data volume or quality requirements), technical issues with data acquisition or processing systems, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and potential disruptions due to unforeseen events. Given the 'near-real-time' requirement, any lapse in service could impact downstream applications like weather forecasting. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clear performance standards, contingency planning, and potentially backup data sources or service providers, although the latter may not be feasible for highly specialized data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1332KP25R0019

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15000 W 6TH AVE STE 202, GOLDEN, CO, 80401

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,345,500

Exercised Options: $24,345,500

Current Obligation: $24,345,500

Actual Outlays: $10,205,508

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1332KP23DNEEP0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline