NOAA awards $256K for bow thruster repair on research vessel Reuben Lasker

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,605 ($25.6K)

Contractor: Tees Components Limited

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $854/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE EXISTING FAULTS THAT ARE PRESENT ON NOAA SHIP REUBEN LASKERS BOW THRUSTER.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92101

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $25,605 to TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED for work described as: TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE EXISTING FAULTS THAT ARE PRESENT ON NOAA SHIP REUBEN LASKERS BOW THRUSTER. Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for specialized ship repair services. 2. Limited competition due to the specific nature of the vessel and required expertise. 3. Potential risk associated with a short performance period for complex repairs. 4. This repair is critical for the operational readiness of a key NOAA research asset. 5. The contract falls within the broader category of maritime support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $256,050 award to TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED for bow thruster repair on the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker is a firm-fixed-price purchase order. Benchmarking this specific repair is challenging without detailed scope of work and labor hours. However, for a specialized repair on a research vessel, the price seems within a reasonable range, assuming the scope covers troubleshooting, parts, and labor for a 30-day period. Further analysis would require comparing it to similar repairs on vessels of comparable size and complexity, which are not readily available in public databases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, indicating that the agency likely identified a single vendor deemed capable of performing the required specialized repair. The justification for sole-source procurement typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the unavailability of other qualified sources. The limited competition means that the agency did not benefit from a competitive bidding process, which could potentially lead to higher prices than if multiple vendors had submitted proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for this essential repair service.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is NOAA, ensuring the operational capability of the research vessel Reuben Lasker. The service delivered is critical troubleshooting and repair of the bow thruster system. The geographic impact is localized to where the vessel is docked for repairs, likely in California. The contract supports specialized maritime repair labor, potentially benefiting skilled technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Short performance window for potentially complex troubleshooting and repair.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical vessel component.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific component repair specialist.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Repair addresses a critical operational fault on a research vessel.

Sector Analysis

The maritime repair and maintenance sector is a vital component of the broader transportation and logistics industry. This contract falls under ship building and repairing services, a niche requiring specialized skills and certifications. The market size for such specialized repairs can be significant, driven by the global fleet of commercial, research, and government vessels. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific details on the type of thruster and the extent of the faults, but vessel repair costs can range widely from minor maintenance to major overhauls.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed under the Small Business Administration's programs and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, there are no explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated by this specific contract. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal, as the award was not designed to foster small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order, oversight is typically managed through NOAA's contracting officers and financial management systems. Accountability rests with TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED to perform the repair to specifications and with NOAA to ensure proper oversight and payment. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the absence of a competitive bidding process. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Vessel Operations
Maritime Maintenance and Repair Services
Ship Building and Repairing
Federal Fleet Maintenance

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Short performance period for troubleshooting and repair.
Potential for unforeseen issues in complex repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $25,605 to TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED. TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE EXISTING FAULTS THAT ARE PRESENT ON NOAA SHIP REUBEN LASKERS BOW THRUSTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED.

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 $25,605.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific nature of the faults on the Reuben Lasker's bow thruster that require troubleshooting and repair?

The provided data indicates that the contract is for 'TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE EXISTING FAULTS THAT ARE PRESENT ON NOAA SHIP REUBEN LASKERS BOW THRUSTER.' However, the specific technical details of these faults are not publicly disclosed in the contract award notice. These could range from electrical issues, mechanical wear and tear, hydraulic problems, or a combination thereof. Understanding the exact nature of the faults would be crucial for assessing the complexity of the repair, the required expertise, and the potential for unforeseen issues during the troubleshooting process. This information is typically found in the detailed statement of work or technical specifications attached to the contract, which are not always made public.

How does the $256,050 contract value compare to similar bow thruster repair contracts for NOAA or other federal research vessels?

Directly comparing the $256,050 contract value for bow thruster repair on the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker to similar contracts is challenging due to the specificity of the vessel, the nature of the faults, and the limited public data on such specialized repairs. Research vessels often have unique configurations and equipment compared to commercial or military vessels. Furthermore, the 'troubleshoot and repair' nature of this contract suggests potential for unforeseen issues, which can impact final costs. Without access to the detailed scope of work, labor rates, and parts involved, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for a specialized repair on a vessel of this type, the price appears to be within a plausible range, assuming it covers necessary parts and skilled labor for a 30-day period.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

Awarding this contract on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Primarily, it eliminates the benefit of price competition, meaning NOAA may not have secured the most cost-effective solution available in the market. There's a risk that the selected vendor, TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED, may not have faced sufficient pressure to offer their best pricing or most efficient service. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or an over-reliance on a single provider, potentially limiting future options or creating dependencies. While the agency likely justified this as necessary due to unique capabilities or urgent need, the absence of competition inherently reduces transparency and the opportunity for broader market engagement.

What is the track record of TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED in performing similar maritime repair services for the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of TEES COMPONENTS LIMITED in performing similar maritime repair services for the federal government is not detailed in the provided award data. As this was a sole-source award, the agency likely conducted some level of due diligence on the contractor's capabilities. However, without access to past performance reviews or a broader database of their federal contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess their experience with bow thruster repairs or similar complex systems on research vessels. Further investigation into federal procurement databases or contractor performance systems would be necessary to evaluate their history and reliability.

How critical is the bow thruster to the operational capabilities of the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker, and what is the impact of its malfunction?

The bow thruster is a critical component for the maneuverability of a ship, particularly in confined waters such as ports or during scientific operations requiring precise station-keeping. For a research vessel like the Reuben Lasker, which likely operates in sensitive marine environments or needs to maintain position for data collection, a malfunctioning bow thruster can significantly impair its operational capabilities. This could lead to delays in research missions, increased risks of collision or grounding, and potentially necessitate the cancellation of scientific deployments. Therefore, the timely troubleshooting and repair of this system are essential for maintaining the vessel's effectiveness and safety.

What is the historical spending pattern for ship repair and maintenance services by NOAA or the Department of Commerce?

Historical spending patterns for ship repair and maintenance by NOAA and the Department of Commerce are generally substantial, reflecting the significant operational needs of their fleets. NOAA operates a diverse array of research and survey vessels, each requiring regular maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. While specific figures for bow thruster repairs are not isolated, the overall budget allocated to vessel maintenance and operations is considerable. These expenditures are crucial for ensuring the readiness and longevity of these scientific assets. Analyzing past spending trends would reveal fluctuations based on vessel age, major refits, and specific mission requirements, often involving a mix of competitive and sole-source procurements for specialized services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Ship Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: BOLCKOW STREET, SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA

Business Categories: Category Business, International Organization, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,605

Exercised Options: $25,605

Current Obligation: $25,605

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline