NOAA's $23.1M engineering support contract awarded to AS AND D, LLC, spanning nearly 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,098,976 ($23.1M)

Contractor: AS and D, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2009-07-01

End Date: 2014-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,978 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENGINEERING AND MISSION OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $23.1 million to AS AND D, LLC for work described as: ENGINEERING AND MISSION OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of engineering and mission operations support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) can incentivize performance but requires careful oversight to manage costs. 4. This contract supported NOAA's mission-critical operations, indicating its importance to agency functions. 5. The contractor, AS AND D, LLC, has a history of performing government contracts. 6. Spending on engineering services is a significant component of NOAA's operational budget.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $23.1 million over approximately 5 years averages to about $4.6 million annually. This figure seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive engineering and mission operation support services, especially considering the specialized nature of NOAA's work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific and engineering support within federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the annual spend does not immediately raise red flags.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This process typically involves a robust solicitation and evaluation, aiming to secure the best value for the government. The presence of multiple bidders, as suggested by the 'full and open' designation, generally fosters price competition and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price through a competitive bidding process, minimizing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

This contract directly supported the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its mission-critical operations. It provided essential engineering and mission operation support services, contributing to the agency's scientific research and environmental monitoring. The services likely benefited various NOAA programs related to weather forecasting, climate research, and oceanographic studies. The contract supported a workforce of engineers and technical specialists, contributing to employment in the scientific and technical services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent monitoring to ensure that award fees are justified by performance and do not inflate overall costs beyond reasonable expectations.
The long duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) necessitates ongoing performance evaluation to ensure continued alignment with NOAA's evolving needs.
Ensuring that the engineering services provided are state-of-the-art and contribute to NOAA's long-term mission goals is crucial.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract supported critical NOAA operations, indicating its importance and likely positive impact on agency effectiveness.
The contractor, AS AND D, LLC, has experience in performing government contracts, suggesting a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing firms that provide engineering consulting and design services. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, particularly for large-scale infrastructure, research, and defense projects. NOAA's requirement for engineering and mission operations support is typical for agencies involved in scientific research, data collection, and operational systems. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need for specialized expertise that government agencies may not possess in-house.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to AS AND D, LLC and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting chain and to what extent.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, performance monitoring and justification for award fees are critical oversight functions. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of contract performance metrics and award fee determinations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Research and Development Contracts
Federal Engineering Services Procurement
Department of Commerce IT and Support Services

Risk Flags

Contract Type Risk (CPAF)
Performance Monitoring Intensity
Long-Term Service Continuity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $23.1 million to AS AND D, LLC. ENGINEERING AND MISSION OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AS AND D, LLC.

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 $23.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-01. End: 2014-11-30.

What was the specific nature of the engineering and mission operation support services provided under this contract?

The contract, awarded to AS AND D, LLC, was for 'ENGINEERING AND MISSION OPERATION SUPPORT SERVICES.' While the specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided data, this typically encompasses a range of activities such as systems engineering, technical support, operational maintenance, integration of new technologies, and ensuring the smooth functioning of NOAA's mission-critical systems. These services are vital for agencies like NOAA, which rely on complex technological infrastructure for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, oceanographic research, and other scientific endeavors. The support likely involved ensuring the reliability and efficiency of data collection platforms, communication systems, and analytical tools used by NOAA scientists and operators.

How does the total contract value of $23.1 million compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

The total contract value of $23.1 million over approximately 5 years (July 2009 to November 2014) equates to an average annual spend of roughly $4.6 million. This figure appears moderate for specialized engineering and mission support services within a federal agency like NOAA. Comparable contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and the specific technical expertise required. For instance, contracts supporting large-scale satellite operations or complex climate modeling systems might command higher annual values. Conversely, contracts for more localized or less technologically intensive support might be lower. Without direct comparisons to contracts with identical service scopes and durations, it's challenging to definitively benchmark, but the annual average does not suggest an outlier value for this type of federal support.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type for this service?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, like the one awarded to AS AND D, LLC, present specific risks. The primary risk is that the 'award fee' component, intended to incentivize superior performance, could lead to higher overall costs if not managed rigorously. There's a potential for the contractor to focus on achieving award fee criteria that may not align perfectly with the government's most critical needs or cost-saving objectives. Furthermore, the government must establish clear, objective, and measurable performance criteria to justify the award fees. Inadequate criteria or subjective evaluations can lead to disputes or overpayment. Effective oversight is paramount to ensure that award fees are earned based on genuine performance improvements and that the total cost remains reasonable and justifiable.

What was the track record of AS AND D, LLC in performing federal contracts prior to and during this award?

The data indicates that AS AND D, LLC was awarded this contract, suggesting they had a track record sufficient to be considered a viable bidder under full and open competition. While the provided snippet doesn't detail their entire contract history, the fact that they secured a definitive contract of this size implies prior experience with federal procurement processes and performance requirements. Government contractors often have a history of past performance evaluations that agencies consider during the bidding process. A deeper dive into federal contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal the extent and nature of their previous awards, performance ratings, and any potential issues encountered on prior contracts, providing a more comprehensive view of their track record.

How did the competition level (full and open) potentially impact the pricing and quality of services received by NOAA?

The 'full and open competition' designation suggests that multiple companies were likely invited to bid on this contract, fostering a competitive environment. This level of competition generally pressures bidders to offer more attractive pricing to win the contract, potentially leading to cost savings for NOAA compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. Furthermore, competition can drive higher quality service delivery as contractors strive to differentiate themselves based on technical capabilities, innovation, and past performance. NOAA likely benefited from a wider pool of potential solutions and a more rigorous evaluation process, increasing the probability of selecting a contractor that offered both competitive pricing and high-quality engineering and mission support services.

What is the significance of the contract's duration (1978 days, approx. 5.4 years) in relation to the services provided?

A contract duration of approximately 5.4 years for engineering and mission operation support services is substantial and suggests a need for continuity and long-term expertise. Such durations are common for services that require deep integration with agency operations, ongoing system maintenance, and sustained technical support. For NOAA, which operates complex environmental monitoring and research systems, a longer contract term allows the contractor to develop specialized knowledge, build efficiencies, and provide a stable support base. It also reduces the administrative burden and potential disruption associated with frequent re-competitions. However, it also necessitates robust performance management throughout the contract's life to ensure services remain relevant and effective over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (UEI: 076637073)

Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,487,836

Exercised Options: $23,487,836

Current Obligation: $23,098,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline