NOAA Spends $15.6M on Research Support Services via Sole-Source Contract with National Academy of Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,629,497 ($15.6M)
Contractor: National Academy of Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2005-08-04
End Date: 2011-08-31
Contract Duration: 2,218 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WOODS HOLE, BARNSTABLE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02543
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $15.6 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $15.6 million over six years. 2. Sole-source award to National Academy of Sciences raises competition concerns. 3. Contract covers 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category. 4. Long duration of 2218 days suggests a potentially ongoing need.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a 'COST NO FEE' type, indicating that the government pays the actual costs incurred by the contractor without any additional fee. This pricing structure can be difficult to benchmark against similar contracts, especially without detailed cost breakdowns. The absence of a fee makes direct comparison challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to drive down prices. The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in the government paying more than it would have under a competitive bidding process, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded a significant $15.6 million for research support services. The National Academy of Sciences, a non-governmental organization, received this substantial contract. The long contract duration suggests a sustained reliance on the contractor's expertise. Lack of competition raises questions about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Long contract duration.
- Cost-plus-no-fee structure can be less transparent.
- Broad service category ('Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services').
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a reputable scientific body.
- Services likely support critical research objectives.
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector is broad and can encompass a wide range of expertise. Benchmarking spending in this area is difficult without specific details on the services provided. However, $15.6 million over six years for research support is a substantial investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants scrutiny regarding the justification for not competing the award. Oversight should ensure that the services provided were necessary and that the costs incurred were reasonable, even without a fee.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competition.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competitive bidding.
- Long contract duration may indicate a lack of flexibility or innovation.
- Broad service category makes cost and performance assessment difficult.
- Absence of a fee in a cost-reimbursement contract can obscure profit margins and value.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-commerce, ma, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $15.6 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
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 $15.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-04. End: 2011-08-31.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if competitive alternatives were adequately explored or if the sole-source decision was appropriate and in the government's best interest.
How were the costs for this 'COST NO FEE' contract determined and validated to ensure they represent fair value?
For 'COST NO FEE' contracts, the government reimburses the contractor's actual, allowable, and reasonable costs. Validation typically involves rigorous auditing and review of the contractor's financial records and cost accounting practices. The absence of a fee means the government bears the full cost risk, making detailed cost monitoring and negotiation crucial for ensuring value.
What specific research support services were rendered under this contract, and how did they contribute to NOAA's mission objectives?
The data categorizes the service as 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690), which is very broad. To assess effectiveness, specific deliverables, project outcomes, and their alignment with NOAA's scientific and environmental research goals would need to be examined. Understanding the precise nature of the support is key to evaluating its impact.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 500 FIFTH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 98
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,679,134
Exercised Options: $28,579,139
Current Obligation: $15,629,497
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-04
Current End Date: 2011-08-31
Potential End Date: 2011-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-03-02
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