NOAA's $14.4M contract for administrative and technical support awarded to Consolidated Safety Services Inc. shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,429,925 ($14.4M)

Contractor: Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2007-04-13

End Date: 2012-10-30

Contract Duration: 2,027 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIFE SCIENCE, ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE, NOAA

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20740, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $14.4 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED for work described as: LIFE SCIENCE, ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE, NOAA Key points: 1. The contract provided essential administrative and technical support services to NOAA's National Ocean Service. 2. Consolidated Safety Services Inc. has a track record of performance in government contracting. 3. The contract duration of over five years suggests a need for stable, long-term support. 4. The services rendered were critical for the operational continuity of the National Ocean Service. 5. The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for price discovery. 6. The value-for-money assessment suggests fair pricing relative to the services provided.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of approximately $14.4 million over its five-year term represents a reasonable investment for the administrative and technical support provided to the National Ocean Service. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized support services indicates that the pricing was within an acceptable range, reflecting the complexity and duration of the services. While not exceptionally low, the cost appears justified by the consistent delivery of critical functions necessary for NOAA's operations. The Time and Materials pricing structure, common for such support roles, allowed for flexibility while managing costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competitive process, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of five bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this type of service. A competitive award generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government secures services at a market-driven rate. The outcome of this competition suggests that Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated offered the most advantageous proposal based on the evaluation criteria.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The National Ocean Service benefited directly through enhanced administrative and technical capabilities, ensuring smoother operations. Essential services supporting oceanographic research, data management, and regulatory functions were maintained. The contract supported the agency's mission to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized skills that may not be readily available within the federal workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in Time and Materials contracts if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contract duration suggests stability and consistent service delivery.
The contractor has experience in government services, implying familiarity with requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative and professional services sector, a broad category encompassing support functions crucial for government agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. NOAA's spending in this area is typical for agencies requiring extensive operational support beyond core scientific or technical personnel. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar administrative and technical support contracts across federal agencies would likely show a wide range depending on scope and duration, but this contract appears aligned with typical market rates for its size and term.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated, a company that may or may not be classified as a small business, means that direct small business participation might be limited unless subcontracting plans were in place and executed. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with NOAA contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Ocean Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Administrative Support Contracts
Federal IT and Administrative Services
National Oceanic Service Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Contractor performance dependency for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $14.4 million to CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED. LIFE SCIENCE, ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE, NOAA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED SAFETY SERVICES INCORPORATED.

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 $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-13. End: 2012-10-30.

What was the specific nature of the administrative and technical support provided under this contract?

The contract provided a range of administrative and technical support services essential for the functioning of NOAA's National Ocean Service. This likely included tasks such as program management support, data entry and analysis, logistical coordination, financial administration, document preparation, and potentially technical assistance related to specific oceanographic programs. The 'Administrative and Technical Support' designation suggests a broad scope aimed at ensuring the efficient operation of the Service, freeing up scientific and policy personnel to focus on their core missions. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure indicates that the services were labor-intensive and required flexibility in staffing and effort.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar support contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

The total contract value of approximately $14.4 million over five years equates to an average annual value of roughly $2.88 million. This figure is moderate for a federal contract providing comprehensive administrative and technical support. When compared to similar contracts for agency-wide support services, this contract appears to be within a reasonable range. Many federal agencies procure similar support, and contract values can vary significantly based on the size of the agency, the scope of services, geographic distribution, and the specific technical expertise required. Without direct comparison data for identical services within NOAA or comparable agencies, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark, but the value does not appear disproportionately high or low for the duration and stated purpose.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, typical metrics for administrative and technical support contracts include timeliness of task completion, accuracy of data processing and reporting, adherence to budget, responsiveness to requests, and overall client satisfaction. For a Time and Materials contract, monitoring the hours billed against the scope of work and ensuring efficient resource utilization are critical. NOAA's program managers would have been responsible for monitoring these aspects, likely through regular progress reports, performance reviews, and direct feedback from the National Ocean Service personnel who received the support.

What is the track record of Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated in fulfilling government contracts?

Consolidated Safety Services Incorporated has a history of performing government contracts. While the provided data does not detail their specific performance history on this or other contracts, their ability to win and execute a multi-year, competitively awarded contract with NOAA suggests a demonstrated capability to meet federal requirements. Companies that consistently win government work typically possess the necessary infrastructure, expertise, and compliance mechanisms. A deeper dive into their contract performance ratings (e.g., through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would provide a more granular understanding of their past performance, including any strengths or weaknesses.

Were there any significant risks identified during the contract lifecycle, and how were they managed?

Potential risks inherent in this type of contract include scope creep, contractor performance issues, and reliance on key personnel. Given the Time and Materials (T&M) structure, effective management by NOAA contracting officers was crucial to prevent uncontrolled cost growth. This would involve diligent oversight of labor hours and direct costs, ensuring that all work performed was necessary and within the contract's scope. Performance issues would typically be addressed through contractually defined remedies, including discussions, cure notices, or termination if performance did not improve. The long duration also presents a risk of the contractor's capabilities becoming outdated, necessitating proactive contract management and potential modifications.

What was the impact of this contract on the operational efficiency of the National Ocean Service?

This contract was intended to enhance the operational efficiency of the National Ocean Service by providing dedicated administrative and technical support. By outsourcing these functions to a specialized contractor, NOAA could ensure that essential but non-core tasks were handled effectively, allowing its scientific and programmatic staff to concentrate on their primary responsibilities. This division of labor can lead to improved productivity, faster project execution, and better overall management of oceanographic programs and data. The stability provided by a multi-year contract also contributes to consistent operational support, avoiding disruptions that might occur with shorter-term or ad-hoc arrangements.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10335 DEMOCRACY LANE, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,429,925

Exercised Options: $14,429,925

Current Obligation: $14,429,925

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0126L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline