Nuclear Regulatory Commission awards $527K contract for environmental consulting on radiological survey data analysis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $527,625 ($527.6K)

Contractor: S C & a Inc

Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 2024-09-20

End Date: 2026-09-23

Contract Duration: 733 days

Daily Burn Rate: $720/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT/ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON A PRIORI CALCULATION OF SCAN MDC METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY COLLECTED DATA (I.E., RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY AND LOCATION DATA COLLECTED WITHOUT SURVEYOR VIGILANCE). THE METHOD SHOULD CONSIDER INFO

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $527,624.61 to S C & A INC for work described as: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT/ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON A PRIORI CALCULATION OF SCAN MDC METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY COLLECTED DATA (I.E., RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY AND LOCATION DATA COLLECTED WITHOUT SURVEYOR VIGILANCE). THE METHOD SHOULD CONSIDER INFO Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced methods for analyzing radiological survey data, aiming for improved accuracy and efficiency. 2. The chosen method, 'a priori calculation of scan MDC', suggests a proactive approach to data quality. 3. This contract supports the NRC's mission to ensure public health and safety through effective regulation. 4. The duration of nearly two years indicates a need for sustained effort in developing and validating the methodology. 5. Environmental consulting services are critical for interpreting complex scientific data relevant to nuclear safety. 6. The contract's value is modest, suggesting a focused scope on a specific analytical challenge.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $527,624.61 for environmental consulting services appears reasonable for a specialized analytical project. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data analysis methodology development is challenging without more specific details on the scope and deliverables. However, the focus on a novel calculation method for continuously collected radiological data suggests a potentially high-value outcome if successful in improving accuracy and efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring that the government receives the best value for its investment through a transparent and fair bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which will gain improved analytical capabilities for radiological data. The services delivered will enhance the accuracy and efficiency of processing continuously collected radiological survey and location data. This work supports the NRC's regulatory oversight of nuclear facilities and materials, contributing to public safety. The development of this new calculation method could have broader implications for environmental monitoring and radiation safety practices across the nuclear industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for the new methodology to require significant training or adaptation for NRC staff.
Risk that the 'a priori' method may not fully capture all nuances of real-world radiological data collection.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise for the successful development and validation of the calculation method.

Positive Signals

Focus on developing a novel, potentially more accurate, method for data analysis.
Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a well-vetted selection process.
Clear objective to improve the handling of continuously collected radiological data.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically addressing niche requirements for data analysis in radiological safety. The market for such specialized environmental consulting is driven by regulatory compliance and the need for advanced scientific expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve contracts for environmental monitoring, data science, and regulatory support within the nuclear and broader environmental sectors.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, the primary focus was likely on technical capability and price, rather than specific small business participation goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific details of the methodology's development and validation may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Services
Data Analysis and Scientific Consulting
Radiological Safety and Compliance
Nuclear Regulatory Oversight
Environmental Data Management

Risk Flags

Methodology Validation Risk
Implementation Challenges
Data Quality Dependence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $527,624.61 to S C & A INC. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS CONTRACT/ORDER IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON A PRIORI CALCULATION OF SCAN MDC METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY COLLECTED DATA (I.E., RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY AND LOCATION DATA COLLECTED WITHOUT SURVEYOR VIGILANCE). THE METHOD SHOULD CONSIDER INFO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S C & A INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $527,624.61.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2026-09-23.

What is the specific 'a priori calculation of scan MDC method' and why is it being developed?

The 'a priori calculation of scan MDC method' refers to a technique for determining the Minimum Detectable Concentration (MDC) of radioactive materials before or during the scanning process, rather than retrospectively. MDC is the smallest amount of radioactive material that can be detected with a certain confidence level. Developing this 'a priori' method for continuously collected data (like radiological surveys without constant surveyor vigilance) aims to improve the real-time assessment of contamination levels. This proactive approach allows for quicker identification of potential issues and more efficient data interpretation, which is crucial for timely regulatory decisions and ensuring public safety in nuclear environments. The contract seeks to formalize and validate this method for practical application.

How does this contract compare to other NRC spending on environmental consulting?

The contract value of approximately $527,000 is relatively modest within the broader context of federal environmental consulting spending. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) engages in various environmental consulting activities, including site assessments, impact studies, and regulatory compliance support, which can range from smaller, specialized projects like this one to multi-million dollar engagements. This specific contract appears focused on a highly technical, data-centric analytical challenge rather than broad environmental remediation or assessment. Its value is likely commensurate with the specialized expertise required for developing and validating a novel data analysis methodology.

What are the potential risks associated with developing a new data analysis methodology?

Developing a new data analysis methodology carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of technical failure, where the proposed 'a priori' method may prove too complex, computationally intensive, or simply inaccurate when applied to real-world, varied radiological data. Secondly, there's a risk of poor adoption; even if technically sound, the method might be difficult for NRC personnel to implement or integrate into existing workflows, requiring extensive training and potentially facing resistance to change. Thirdly, the contractor's expertise is critical; if the selected firm lacks the necessary depth in both radiological science and advanced data analytics, the resulting methodology could be flawed. Finally, there's the risk of scope creep or unforeseen challenges in data acquisition and quality, which could delay the project and increase costs beyond the initial $527,624.61.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the NRC's regulatory effectiveness?

This contract is expected to enhance the NRC's regulatory effectiveness by improving the precision and timeliness of radiological data analysis. By developing a more sophisticated 'a priori' method for calculating the Minimum Detectable Concentration (MDC) from continuous survey data, the NRC can potentially identify and respond to radiological anomalies more rapidly and accurately. This improved analytical capability supports more informed decision-making regarding nuclear facility safety, material security, and environmental protection. Ultimately, it strengthens the NRC's ability to fulfill its mission of protecting public health and safety by ensuring that regulatory actions are based on the most reliable and efficiently processed scientific data available.

Has the contractor, S C & A INC, performed similar work for the NRC or other federal agencies?

Information regarding S C & A INC's specific past performance on similar data analysis methodology contracts for the NRC or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection under 'full and open competition' suggests they met the qualifications and demonstrated capability required for this specialized environmental consulting service. A comprehensive review of their contract history, past performance evaluations, and technical proposals submitted for this bid would be necessary to fully assess their track record in developing and implementing advanced analytical methods for radiological data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 31310024R0100

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $557,488

Exercised Options: $557,488

Current Obligation: $527,625

Actual Outlays: $436,582

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline