NOAA Spends $2.5M on Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Data from Vaisala Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,494,391 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Vaisala Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-02-04

End Date: 2027-02-17

Contract Duration: 1,839 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING DATA

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.5 million to VAISALA INC. for work described as: CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING DATA Key points: 1. The contract value is $2,494,391.04 for cloud-to-ground lightning data. 2. Vaisala Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating potential market concentration. 3. The contract duration is 1839 days, spanning over 5 years. 4. The sector is 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing', suggesting specialized equipment. 5. The award type is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.5M over 5 years for specialized lightning data appears reasonable given the niche nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar specialized data acquisition contracts is difficult without more specific information on data resolution and coverage.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the specific awardee, Vaisala Inc., suggests they may be a dominant player in this niche market, potentially limiting future competitive pressure.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from competitive bidding, but the long-term cost-effectiveness depends on sustained competition and market dynamics for this specialized data.

Public Impact

Provides critical data for weather forecasting and severe storm warnings, enhancing public safety. Supports scientific research into atmospheric phenomena and climate change. Enables industries reliant on accurate weather data, such as aviation and agriculture, to make informed decisions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if Vaisala is the only provider of this specific data quality.
Long contract duration may not adapt to rapidly evolving data technologies.
Limited transparency on specific data metrics and performance standards.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Contract supports critical weather monitoring and public safety initiatives.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing' sector encompasses a wide range of specialized equipment. Spending in this area can vary significantly based on technological advancements and specific agency needs, with lightning detection systems being a niche but vital component.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were explored or if the nature of the service inherently favors larger, specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting some level of pre-existing oversight. However, the specific performance metrics and ongoing monitoring of data quality and vendor performance require detailed review.

Related Government Programs

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Sole awardee suggests potential market dominance.
Long contract duration may limit adaptability to new technologies.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.5 million to VAISALA INC.. CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING DATA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VAISALA 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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-04. End: 2027-02-17.

What is the specific resolution and coverage area of the cloud-to-ground lightning data provided by Vaisala Inc. under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact resolution (e.g., geographic precision, temporal frequency) or the coverage area of the lightning data. This information is crucial for assessing the true value and utility of the data for NOAA's operational and research needs. Without these details, it's difficult to benchmark against alternative data sources or determine if the $2.5M investment is optimized for the intended purpose.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the lightning data, and how is Vaisala Inc.'s performance being measured against them?

The contract details do not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the cloud-to-ground lightning data. Understanding these metrics, such as detection efficiency, location accuracy, and data latency, is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the contract. The government's ability to ensure Vaisala Inc. is meeting these standards directly impacts the reliability of the data for weather forecasting and public safety applications.

Are there alternative vendors capable of providing similar or superior cloud-to-ground lightning data, and what was the rationale for selecting Vaisala Inc. despite the full and open competition?

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, the specific award to Vaisala Inc. raises questions about the competitive landscape. It's important to understand if other vendors submitted bids and why Vaisala's offering was deemed the most advantageous. Further investigation into the market for lightning detection technology could reveal if competition is truly robust or if Vaisala holds a dominant position, potentially impacting long-term pricing and innovation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 194 S TAYLOR AVE, LOUISVILLE, CO, 80027

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,494,391

Exercised Options: $2,494,391

Current Obligation: $2,494,391

Actual Outlays: $1,249,591

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F030DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline