NOAA Spends $31M on Environmental Consulting, Awarded to ABT Environmental Research Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,996,487 ($31.0M)
Contractor: ABT Environmental Research Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2006-09-07
End Date: 2011-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,849 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80306
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $31.0 million to ABT ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INC. for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $31 million for environmental consulting. 2. Sole awardee, ABT Environmental Research Inc., raises questions about competition. 3. Contract duration of nearly 5 years suggests a substantial, ongoing need. 4. NAICS code 541620 confirms the focus on environmental consulting services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $30,996,487.41. Without specific unit costs or comparison data for similar environmental consulting contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess if this pricing is excellent or concerning. Benchmarking against industry standards for similar scope and duration would be necessary.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning there was no open competition. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding the procurement rationale.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially leading to a less efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
Environmental consulting services are crucial for regulatory compliance and ecological assessment. The significant investment indicates a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship by NOAA. Potential for impact on local ecosystems and environmental policy development. Transparency in the sole-source justification is important for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing due to sole-source award
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical environmental needs
- Long-term engagement suggests sustained requirement
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services fall under professional, scientific, and technical services. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, regulatory changes, and project scope. A $31 million contract is substantial within this domain.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if this contract was specifically targeted towards small business participation. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on the justification for the sole-source award, the performance metrics of ABT Environmental Research Inc., and whether the services delivered met NOAA's environmental objectives effectively and efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
- Limited information on small business participation.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-commerce, co, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $31.0 million to ABT ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INC.. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ABT ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 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 $31.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-09-07. End: 2011-09-30.
What was the specific justification provided for awarding this contract sole-source?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where competition is not feasible. A detailed review of the contract file and associated documentation would reveal the specific rationale provided by NOAA for this particular award.
How does the cost of these environmental consulting services compare to industry benchmarks for similar contracts?
Benchmarking requires detailed cost data, including labor rates, hours, and specific deliverables. Without this granular information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the sole-source nature, there's a heightened need to ensure costs align with market rates through rigorous review of invoices and performance against contract terms to mitigate potential overspending.
What specific environmental outcomes or objectives were achieved through this $31 million investment?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the tangible environmental outcomes achieved. This would include successful completion of environmental impact assessments, adherence to regulatory standards, contributions to conservation efforts, or improvements in environmental monitoring and data collection. Evaluating the final reports, project success metrics, and NOAA's own assessment of the services rendered is crucial.
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
Contractor Details
Address: 1881 9TH ST STE 201, BOULDER, CO, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,028,639
Exercised Options: $31,257,054
Current Obligation: $30,996,487
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0299K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-09-07
Current End Date: 2011-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-04-11
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