Interior Department awards $3.5M contract for weather threat avoidance tool to Blue Storm Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,500,075 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Blue Storm Associates Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-08-14

End Date: 2026-07-13

Contract Duration: 1,064 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: LOCATION-SPECIFIC WEATHER THREAT AVOIDANCE TOOL

Place of Performance

Location: NICEVILLE, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32578

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.5 million to BLUE STORM ASSOCIATES INC. for work described as: LOCATION-SPECIFIC WEATHER THREAT AVOIDANCE TOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a specialized weather threat avoidance tool, indicating a need for advanced meteorological support. 2. The contract value of $3.5 million over approximately 3 years suggests a significant investment in this capability. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the broad category, with a specific NAICS code of 541715. 4. The contract type is a Definitive Contract with a Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 5. Awarded to Blue Storm Associates Inc., the contractor's specific experience in this niche will be critical to success. 6. The geographic focus on Florida (ST: FL, SN: FLORIDA) highlights the region's vulnerability to severe weather. 7. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 8. No small business set-asides were involved in this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.5 million for a specialized weather threat avoidance tool appears reasonable given the R&D nature and the duration of approximately 3 years. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for meteorological or threat assessment tools would provide further context. The firm fixed price structure helps manage cost risks for the government. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the investment aligns with the potential impact of severe weather on operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, which limits the assessment of the competitive intensity. However, the 'full and open' designation suggests an effort to solicit a wide range of potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best solutions and pricing, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of the Interior operations and personnel, particularly those operating in weather-vulnerable regions like Florida. The service delivered is the development and implementation of a tool to avoid weather-related threats, enhancing operational safety and continuity. The geographic impact is specifically noted for Florida, a state prone to hurricanes and other severe weather events. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized meteorological expertise within the Department of the Interior to utilize and maintain the tool.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The exclusion of sources in a 'full and open' competition warrants further investigation to ensure no viable competitors were unfairly barred.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the ultimate effectiveness and value of the tool post-deployment.
The specialized nature of the tool may lead to vendor lock-in if not designed for interoperability or easy adaptation.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under a competitive process, even with exclusions, suggests an effort to obtain the best value.
The focus on a specific, high-impact region like Florida indicates a targeted approach to risk mitigation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. The market for meteorological research and threat avoidance tools is specialized, often involving a mix of government-funded research institutions, private R&D firms, and defense contractors. Spending in this area is driven by the need to mitigate risks associated with environmental factors, which can have significant economic and operational impacts, particularly in sectors like transportation, energy, and emergency management. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within agencies that manage large physical assets or operations in diverse environmental conditions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to all qualified offerors, regardless of size. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Blue Storm Associates Inc., may choose to engage small businesses as subcontractors if their expertise is required for specific components or services, though this is not mandated by the contract terms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified tool within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which is publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Research Programs
NOAA Climate and Weather Research
DoD Weather and Environmental Support Contracts
FEMA Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Funding

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Unclear performance metrics for tool effectiveness.
Contractor's specific experience not detailed.
Geographic focus on a high-risk area (Florida).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.5 million to BLUE STORM ASSOCIATES INC.. LOCATION-SPECIFIC WEATHER THREAT AVOIDANCE TOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE STORM ASSOCIATES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-14. End: 2026-07-13.

What is the specific nature of the 'weather threat avoidance tool' being developed, and what are its key functionalities?

The provided data does not detail the specific functionalities of the 'LOCATION-SPECIFIC WEATHER THREAT AVOIDANCE TOOL.' However, given the NAICS code (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and the contractor's likely specialization, the tool is expected to involve advanced meteorological modeling, data analysis, and predictive capabilities. It could potentially include features such as real-time weather monitoring, forecasting of severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes, thunderstorms, extreme temperatures), risk assessment for specific locations, and recommendations for operational adjustments or protective measures. The 'avoidance' aspect suggests a proactive rather than reactive system, aiming to help users plan around or mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions.

How does the $3.5 million contract value compare to similar R&D contracts for meteorological tools?

Benchmarking the $3.5 million contract value against similar R&D contracts for meteorological tools requires access to a broader database of federal contract awards. However, for a specialized R&D effort over approximately three years, this value appears within a reasonable range, particularly if it involves novel technology development or significant data integration. Contracts for advanced weather modeling or threat assessment systems can vary widely based on complexity, scope, and the maturity of the technology. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or questionable value, but it suggests a substantial investment in a critical capability.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include technical challenges in developing an effective and accurate weather threat avoidance tool, contractor performance issues, and the possibility that the tool may not meet the specific operational needs of the Department of the Interior. The firm fixed price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process, if properly managed, should help select a capable contractor. However, the exclusion of sources could introduce a risk if it inadvertently limited the pool of highly qualified bidders. Mitigation strategies would also likely involve robust government oversight, clear performance milestones, and regular progress reviews.

What is the track record of Blue Storm Associates Inc. in developing similar weather-related or R&D solutions?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Blue Storm Associates Inc. To assess their suitability for this contract, a review of their past performance, previous contracts, and any relevant project outcomes would be necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for their award history, examining past performance evaluations, and understanding their expertise in meteorological research, software development, and threat assessment technologies. A strong track record in similar R&D projects would increase confidence in their ability to deliver the required tool successfully.

How will the effectiveness of the 'weather threat avoidance tool' be measured and evaluated?

The provided data does not specify the metrics or evaluation methods for the 'weather threat avoidance tool.' Typically, the effectiveness of such a tool would be measured against predefined performance criteria outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This could include metrics related to the accuracy of forecasts, the timeliness of threat alerts, the reduction in weather-related disruptions or incidents, and user satisfaction. The Department of the Interior's program managers would be responsible for monitoring these metrics throughout the contract period and conducting a final evaluation upon completion to determine if the tool meets the government's requirements.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of the Interior on weather-related research and tools?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for the Department of the Interior on weather-related research and tools. To understand this, one would need to analyze past contract awards and budget allocations within the department related to meteorology, climate science, environmental monitoring, and risk management. This analysis would reveal trends in investment, identify key areas of focus, and provide context for the current $3.5 million award. Such information is crucial for assessing whether this contract represents a significant increase or continuation of existing efforts.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1735 BOLTON VILLAGE LN, NICEVILLE, FL, 32578

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,500,075

Exercised Options: $3,500,075

Current Obligation: $3,500,075

Actual Outlays: $3,444,436

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline