NOAA's $18.7M Task Order for Systems Maintenance Awarded to Earth Resources Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,736,837 ($18.7M)
Contractor: Earth Resources Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2007-09-27
End Date: 2013-09-27
Contract Duration: 2,192 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/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 T0004 FOR OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PROGRAM MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20707
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $18.7 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER T0004 FOR OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PROGRAM MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract supports operational systems and program maintenance. 2. Earth Resources Technology, LLC secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The duration of the task order is approximately 6 years. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $18.7 million over approximately 6 years. Without specific benchmarks for similar operational systems maintenance contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its impact on price discovery and potential limitations.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for this contract. The effectiveness of the competition and the management of the Time and Materials contract will determine the ultimate value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Supports critical operational systems for NOAA, impacting data collection and dissemination. The long duration suggests a sustained need for these services. Competition ensures a degree of cost-effectiveness, but the pricing model requires scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' could limit competition.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports essential NOAA operational systems.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
Sector Analysis
Engineering services (NAICS 541330) are crucial for maintaining complex government systems. The $18.7 million spend over six years for operational systems maintenance appears within a reasonable range for such specialized support, though benchmarks vary widely by system complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is Earth Resources Technology, LLC, and that small business participation was not a stated factor (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were available to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method requires oversight to ensure it did not unduly restrict competition. Monitoring the Time and Materials contract closely is essential for accountability and preventing cost creep.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns (T&M pricing).
- Ambiguity in competition method ('exclusion of sources').
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $18.7 million to EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY, LLC. TASK ORDER T0004 FOR OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PROGRAM MAINTENANCE 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 $18.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-27. End: 2013-09-27.
What specific operational systems are being maintained under this task order, and what is the criticality of their function to NOAA's mission?
The provided data does not specify the exact operational systems. However, given NOAA's mission, these likely relate to weather forecasting, climate monitoring, oceanic research, or fisheries management. The criticality is presumed high, as system downtime could significantly disrupt data collection, analysis, and public dissemination of vital information.
What was the justification for excluding certain sources during the 'full and open competition' process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?
The justification for excluding sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions are based on specific technical requirements, prior performance, or unique capabilities. Without this information, it's impossible to definitively state the impact on the final price, though exclusions can sometimes limit competitive pressure and potentially lead to higher costs.
How effectively has Earth Resources Technology, LLC managed the Time and Materials contract to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep over its duration?
Assessing the effectiveness of contract management requires access to performance reports, cost tracking data, and potentially audits. The Time and Materials (T&M) structure inherently carries a risk of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored. Without specific performance metrics or cost variance analysis, it's difficult to evaluate the contractor's efficiency in managing this particular T&M award.
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: $18,736,837
Exercised Options: $18,736,837
Current Obligation: $18,736,837
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCDG133W07CQ0066
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-27
Current End Date: 2013-09-27
Potential End Date: 2013-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-12-08
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