NOAA's $15.5M contract for documentation and communications support awarded to Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,457,965 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2007-09-27

End Date: 2013-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,134 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER T0002 FOR DOCUMENTATION, PUBLICATIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: LAUREL, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20707

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $15.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER T0002 FOR DOCUMENTATION, PUBLICATIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 5-year duration and the nature of support services. 2. Competition was robust, with 5 bidders vying for this task order. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear statement of work and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within a long-standing support role for NOAA. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services supporting government scientific agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $15.5 million over approximately 5 years suggests an average annual spend of $3.1 million. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for comprehensive documentation, publication, and communication support is challenging without more granular data on specific deliverables. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, but it also offers flexibility for evolving needs. The number of bidders (5) suggests a competitive environment that likely helped to moderate pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial solicitation may have had some restrictions, it ultimately allowed for broad participation. The presence of 5 bidders demonstrates a healthy level of competition for this specific task order, suggesting that multiple firms were capable of and interested in providing the required services. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging contractors to offer their best value propositions.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from consistent and expert support in managing its vast documentation, publications, and communication needs. Services delivered include critical functions for disseminating scientific findings, public outreach materials, and internal documentation. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting NOAA's nationwide operations and public information dissemination. Workforce implications include the creation or maintenance of jobs for professionals skilled in technical writing, editing, graphic design, and communications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns if not meticulously monitored and managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services rendered.
The long duration (5 years) could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced incentive for innovation if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Award to a single contractor (Earth Resources Technology, LLC) suggests a potentially strong working relationship and established expertise.
The contract was competed, indicating a deliberate effort to ensure fair pricing and access to qualified vendors.
The task order falls under a broader contract vehicle, potentially indicating streamlined procurement processes and established oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting government agencies with communication and documentation needs. The market for these services is substantial, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal agencies' contracts for similar support services, which often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually depending on scope and duration. This contract's value is moderate within this context.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific task order, as the prime contractor is Earth Resources Technology, LLC, and there's no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Further investigation into the prime contractor's small business subcontracting plan would be necessary to understand the full impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Publications Program
NOAA Public Affairs Office Support
Federal Documentation and Records Management
Government Communications Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure efficiency.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $15.5 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. TASK ORDER T0002 FOR DOCUMENTATION, PUBLICATIONS, AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, 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 $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-27. End: 2013-07-31.

What is the track record of Earth Resources Technology, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with NOAA?

Earth Resources Technology, LLC has a history of federal contract awards, including significant work with NOAA. While specific details on past performance quality require deeper analysis of contract performance reports and CPARS data, their continued awards suggest a satisfactory performance history. Examining their portfolio reveals a focus on scientific and technical support services, aligning with the nature of this task order. Understanding their specific contributions to NOAA's mission in previous engagements would provide further context on their reliability and expertise in handling documentation, publications, and communications.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar services procured by other federal agencies?

Directly comparing the cost of this $15.5 million, 5-year contract without detailed scope of work and deliverable specifics is difficult. However, the average annual value of approximately $3.1 million falls within a common range for comprehensive support services for large federal agencies. Contracts for similar documentation, publication, and communication support can vary widely based on the complexity of the scientific or technical information, the required dissemination channels (e.g., web, print, multimedia), and the level of editorial and design expertise needed. Agencies like NASA, NSF, or NIH might have comparable contracts, but their specific needs and market conditions could lead to different pricing structures.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for NOAA?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if the government's oversight is insufficient. NOAA must actively monitor labor hours, material costs, and the overall progress to ensure that the work remains within budget and that the contractor is performing efficiently. Clear definition of 'materials' and strict approval processes for purchases are crucial mitigation strategies.

How effective has Earth Resources Technology, LLC been in delivering documentation and communication services in the past?

Assessing the past effectiveness of Earth Resources Technology, LLC requires access to performance evaluation reports (e.g., CPARS) and specific project outcomes, which are not detailed in the provided data. However, the fact that they were awarded this significant task order, and likely others, suggests a baseline level of competence and satisfaction from previous contracting officers. To gain a comprehensive understanding, one would need to review their performance history on similar NOAA or other federal contracts, looking for indicators of timely delivery, quality of work, responsiveness, and adherence to budget and schedule.

What is the historical spending trend for documentation and communication support services at NOAA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for documentation and communication support at NOAA would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This task order represents a significant investment, suggesting a consistent need for these services within the agency. Trends might show an increase or decrease in spending based on agency priorities, budget allocations, and shifts towards digital versus print media. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current award and forecast future needs and potential spending levels for similar services across NOAA.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation indicates a procurement process that initially involved some form of restriction or exclusion, but ultimately allowed for broad competition. This could mean that certain types of firms or technologies were initially considered, but the final solicitation was open to all responsible sources. The key takeaway is that despite any initial limitations, the contract was competed broadly, leading to multiple bids (5 in this case). This approach aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities with the principle of maximizing competition to achieve best value for the government.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10810 GUILFORD RD STE 105, ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, 20701

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,457,965

Exercised Options: $15,457,965

Current Obligation: $15,457,965

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCDG133W07CQ0066

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline