NOAA's $2.66M contract for TCOON system maintenance awarded to The Woods Hole Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,665,929 ($2.7M)

Contractor: THE Woods Hole Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-04-21

End Date: 2026-05-26

Contract Duration: 1,861 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TCOON ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: CHESAPEAKE, CHESAPEAKE CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23320

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.7 million to THE WOODS HOLE GROUP, INC. for work described as: TCOON ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of specialized equipment maintenance. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar maintenance contracts for scientific equipment. 5. The contractor, The Woods Hole Group, Inc., has a history of performing similar services. 6. The contract falls within the 'Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of approximately $2.66 million over five years for TCOON system maintenance appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized scientific equipment support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for maintaining complex monitoring systems suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. Further analysis would involve comparing specific labor rates and material costs to industry standards, but the overall value proposition seems sound.

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 process may have involved some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive solicitation. The specific details of the exclusion are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple bidders were likely considered. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The TCOON (Tropical Cyclone Ocean Observation Network) system, crucial for hurricane and tropical storm monitoring, benefits from this contract. This contract ensures the continued operational readiness of vital scientific equipment used for weather forecasting and climate research. The services delivered include unscheduled maintenance and major maintenance, directly supporting the reliability of the TCOON network. The geographic impact is national, as the TCOON system supports data collection relevant to U.S. coastal regions and global weather patterns. Workforce implications include the need for specialized technicians skilled in maintaining advanced electronic and precision equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen major repairs are required beyond the scope of scheduled maintenance.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The long contract duration might limit opportunities to leverage newer technologies or more cost-effective solutions if they emerge.

Positive Signals

The contractor, The Woods Hole Group, Inc., has demonstrated experience in similar maintenance and repair services.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely resulting in a qualified contractor.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance' sector, which is a niche but critical area supporting scientific and technological infrastructure. The market for such specialized maintenance services is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms. The TCOON system represents a significant investment in meteorological and oceanographic research, and its maintenance is essential for data integrity and operational continuity. Comparable spending benchmarks would focus on contracts for maintaining other complex scientific monitoring arrays or specialized electronic systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor, The Woods Hole Group, Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a component of the Department of Commerce. Performance monitoring and quality assurance are standard oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price contract type inherently places some cost control on the contractor. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and inspection reports may not be publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce would have jurisdiction over potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

National Weather Service Operations Support
NOAA Fleet Operations
National Hurricane Center Operations
Climate Monitoring Programs
Scientific Equipment Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for extended downtime if contractor fails to respond promptly to unscheduled maintenance needs.
Risk of cost escalation if contract scope requires significant modifications due to unforeseen system issues.
Dependence on a single entity for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.7 million to THE WOODS HOLE GROUP, INC.. TCOON ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE WOODS HOLE GROUP, INC..

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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-21. End: 2026-05-26.

What is the track record of The Woods Hole Group, Inc. in performing similar maintenance and repair services for government contracts?

The Woods Hole Group, Inc. has a history of performing services related to environmental monitoring, data acquisition, and scientific instrumentation. While specific details on past TCOON-related contracts are not immediately available from the provided data, their general expertise in marine science and technology suggests they possess the necessary qualifications. A deeper dive into their contract history with NOAA and other agencies would reveal the extent and success of their prior performance in similar technical domains. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in executing complex maintenance tasks.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to the total lifecycle cost of the TCOON system?

The provided data focuses on the contract's total obligation amount ($2.66 million) and duration (over 5 years), yielding an approximate annual cost of $533,000. To compare this to the total lifecycle cost of the TCOON system, one would need data on the initial acquisition cost, the cost of any upgrades or expansions, and the projected end-of-life decommissioning expenses. Without these figures, a direct comparison is not possible. However, maintenance costs typically represent a significant portion of a system's lifecycle expenses, often ranging from 10% to 30% annually depending on the complexity and age of the asset. This contract's annual cost should be evaluated in the context of the TCOON system's overall investment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance failures leading to system downtime, cost overruns if unforeseen major repairs are needed, and contractor dependency. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance standards and service level agreements within the contract, regular progress reviews by NOAA, and the firm-fixed-price structure which caps the government's liability for the defined scope. The competitive award process also mitigates the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor. However, the long-term nature of the contract could pose a risk if technological advancements render the current maintenance approach suboptimal, necessitating contract modifications or a new procurement.

What is the historical spending pattern for TCOON system maintenance, and how does this contract align with it?

The provided data only details the current contract award. To assess historical spending patterns, one would need access to previous contract awards for TCOON maintenance, including their values, durations, and awarded contractors. Without this historical context, it's impossible to determine if the $2.66 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to prior periods. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in maintenance costs, identify any significant shifts in contractor selection, and provide a baseline for evaluating the current contract's value and necessity.

What specific performance metrics are used to evaluate the contractor's success in fulfilling this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics. However, for a contract of this nature, typical metrics would likely include response times for unscheduled maintenance, successful completion rates of scheduled maintenance tasks, system uptime percentages, and adherence to quality standards for repairs. NOAA contracting officers and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring these metrics throughout the contract period. Formal performance reviews, potentially documented in Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), would assess the contractor's adherence to these standards and overall job performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 81 TECHNOLOGY PK DR, EAST FALMOUTH, MA, 02536

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,665,929

Exercised Options: $2,665,929

Current Obligation: $2,665,929

Actual Outlays: $1,075,678

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCEA133C13CQ0028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline