Commerce's NOAA Spends $14.3M on Environmental Consulting Services via Competitive Delivery Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,271,024 ($14.3M)
Contractor: I. M. Systems Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2006-02-22
End Date: 2013-04-30
Contract Duration: 2,624 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $14.3 million to I. M. SYSTEMS GROUP, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $14.3M over 7 years. 2. Awarded competitively, suggesting potential for good pricing. 3. Environmental consulting is a critical service for NOAA's mission. 4. Long duration (2006-2013) may indicate stable, ongoing needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract was awarded competitively, which generally leads to better pricing. The Time and Materials pricing structure, however, requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness over its long duration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely competed. This method is generally effective for price discovery and achieving fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefited from a competitive bidding process, which should have driven down costs compared to a sole-source award.
Public Impact
Supports NOAA's environmental monitoring and research efforts. Ensures compliance with environmental regulations. Provides specialized expertise not always available in-house.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if not managed.
- Time and Materials contract type can be prone to scope creep.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Essential service for agency mission.
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services are crucial for government agencies like NOAA to manage and understand environmental impacts. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on the specific services required and agency size.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business inclusion.
Oversight & Accountability
The competitive delivery order structure implies some level of oversight during the bidding process. Ongoing monitoring of performance and costs would be essential throughout the contract's life.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration.
- Time and Materials pricing.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Lack of specific service details.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-commerce, md, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $14.3 million to I. M. SYSTEMS GROUP, INC.. TECHNICAL AND CONSULTING SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is I. M. SYSTEMS GROUP, 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 $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-02-22. End: 2013-04-30.
What specific environmental consulting services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with NOAA's strategic goals?
The contract was for Environmental Consulting Services (NAICS 541620). These services likely supported NOAA's mission in areas such as climate monitoring, marine resource management, and environmental compliance. Understanding the precise deliverables would clarify their strategic alignment and overall value.
Were there any identified risks or challenges during the contract's execution, and how were they mitigated?
Given the Time and Materials structure and long duration, risks could include cost overruns or scope creep. Mitigation would involve robust contract management, regular performance reviews, and clear task orders to ensure services remained within budget and aligned with evolving needs.
How effective was the competitive process in securing the best value for these environmental consulting services over the contract's lifespan?
The competitive award suggests initial value. However, the effectiveness of Time and Materials contracts over extended periods depends heavily on diligent oversight. Regular benchmarking against market rates and performance metrics would be necessary to confirm sustained value realization.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3206 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 300, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,271,024
Exercised Options: $14,271,024
Current Obligation: $14,271,024
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0037R
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-02-22
Current End Date: 2013-04-30
Potential End Date: 2013-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-01-29
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