Transportation awards $19.8M contract to Midwest Weather, Inc. for professional, scientific, and technical services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,859,208 ($19.9M)

Contractor: Midwest Weather, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2013-06-14

End Date: 2022-05-31

Contract Duration: 3,273 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CWO - MIDWEST WEATHER, INC. IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $19.9 million to MIDWEST WEATHER, INC. for work described as: CWO - MIDWEST WEATHER, INC. IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.8 million over its duration. 2. Awarded through full and open competition. 3. Contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 4. Performance period spans over 9 years. 5. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. Contractor is Midwest Weather, Inc. 7. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.8 million over a nearly 9-year period suggests an average annual value of approximately $2.2 million. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for professional, scientific, and technical services is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the scope is well-defined. The relatively long duration might indicate a need for sustained services, but also raises questions about potential price escalation over time.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand the rationale behind any exclusions and their potential impact on the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite potential source exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, which can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within the Department of Transportation is the primary beneficiary, likely receiving critical scientific and technical support. Services provided are broadly categorized as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' suggesting a wide range of potential applications. Performance is located in Washington D.C., impacting the local economy through contractor operations. The contract supports the agency's mission by ensuring the availability of specialized expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type could indicate potential limitations on the breadth of competition.
The long contract duration (over 9 years) may present risks related to price escalation and evolving technological needs.
Lack of specific service details makes it difficult to fully assess value for money and performance benchmarks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting an effort to maximize market participation.
Firm fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
The contract has a defined end date, providing a clear timeframe for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide array of specialized expertise. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' indicates a non-specific service offering within this sector. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, utilizing them for research, analysis, consulting, and technical support across various agencies. Benchmarking this contract's value requires detailed understanding of the specific services rendered, as this category is highly diverse.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Midwest Weather, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would depend on their subcontracting practices, which are not detailed in this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and agency-specific oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for the Department of Transportation would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Operations
Professional and Technical Services
Department of Transportation Contracts
Definitive Contracts
Firm Fixed Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration may lead to price escalation or obsolescence.
Lack of specific service details hinders comprehensive value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $19.9 million to MIDWEST WEATHER, INC.. CWO - MIDWEST WEATHER, INC. IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIDWEST WEATHER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-06-14. End: 2022-05-31.

What specific services does Midwest Weather, Inc. provide under this contract?

The provided data classifies the contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a broad category, and without further details, it is impossible to ascertain the exact nature of the services rendered. These could range from meteorological consulting and data analysis to scientific research, technical support, or specialized advisory services. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the awarding agency, suggesting the services might be related to aviation operations, weather forecasting for air traffic control, environmental studies, or other technical requirements within the FAA's purview. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to identify the specific deliverables and expertise provided by Midwest Weather, Inc.

How does the $19.8 million contract value compare to similar services procured by the FAA or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $19.8 million contract value is challenging without knowing the specific services provided under NAICS 541990. This code encompasses a vast array of professional, scientific, and technical services. If the services are related to specialized meteorological consulting for aviation, the value might be reasonable given the contract's duration of over 9 years. However, if the services are more general technical support, the value could be higher or lower depending on market rates and scope. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar statements of work, performance periods, and geographic locations, and then analyze their total values and annual averages. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, which aids in comparison if that scope is understood.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract lasting over 9 years?

A contract duration of over 9 years, as seen with this $19.8 million award to Midwest Weather, Inc., presents several potential risks. Firstly, there is the risk of price escalation; the firm fixed-price contract mitigates this to some extent by locking in the price, but the initial price might not reflect future market conditions or inflation accurately over such a long period. Secondly, technological advancements or changes in agency needs could render the contracted services obsolete or less effective before the contract expires. Thirdly, long-term contracts can reduce flexibility for the agency to adapt to new requirements or explore alternative solutions. Finally, maintaining consistent performance and oversight over an extended period can be challenging, potentially leading to a decline in service quality if not actively managed.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for the bidding process and taxpayer value?

The term 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential sources were identified and excluded from consideration prior to the release of the solicitation. This exclusion could be based on various factors, such as past performance, specific qualifications, or national security concerns. While it still aims for broad competition, the exclusion of potential bidders might limit the range of offers received and potentially reduce the downward pressure on pricing compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. For taxpayers, this means that while competition was sought, the specific reasons for excluding sources could have an impact on the final price and the diversity of solutions available, warranting scrutiny to ensure the exclusions were justified and did not unduly restrict competition.

What is the track record of Midwest Weather, Inc. in securing and performing federal contracts?

The provided data identifies Midwest Weather, Inc. as the contractor for this $19.8 million definitive contract with the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. However, this dataset does not include information on the company's historical contract performance, past issues, or overall track record with the federal government. To assess their track record, one would need to consult other federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their award history, contract values, types of services provided, and any reported performance evaluations or disputes. Without this additional information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in fulfilling federal obligations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 28 HARMONY CROSSING DR, SAINT PETERS, MO, 63376

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,987,711

Exercised Options: $19,859,208

Current Obligation: $19,859,208

Actual Outlays: $4,253,438

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline