NOAA awards $10.7M contract for specialized IT consulting, technical, and engineering support services to Raye IT Consulting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,720,635 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Raye IT Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: OMAO/MARINE AND AVIATION CYBER CENTER (MACC),SPECIALIZED CONSULTING, TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10.7 million to RAYE IT CONSULTING LLC for work described as: OMAO/MARINE AND AVIATION CYBER CENTER (MACC),SPECIALIZED CONSULTING, TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential cyber support to the Marine and Aviation Cyber Center (MACC). 2. Specialized consulting and engineering services are critical for maintaining operational security. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Delivery order under a larger contract suggests potential for future task orders. 5. The award to a single entity highlights the specialized nature of the required services. 6. Focus on administrative management and general management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.7 million over three years for specialized IT, technical, and engineering support appears reasonable given the critical nature of cybersecurity for aviation and marine operations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized consulting services in the federal space suggests this is within expected ranges. The pricing structure, likely based on time and materials, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to a single, specialized firm implies a perceived fit for the required expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it resulted in a single delivery order suggests that Raye IT Consulting LLC was selected as the most advantageous offer based on the evaluation criteria. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed in terms of the number of bidders, implies a robust process that should have driven competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services. It ensures that the government explores a wide range of capabilities and avoids potential price gouging associated with less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically its Marine and Aviation Cyber Center (MACC). The services delivered will enhance cybersecurity posture and operational resilience for critical aviation and marine functions. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around NOAA facilities and operational areas, with potential for broader implications for data security. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of specialized IT and engineering professionals by the contractor, Raye IT Consulting LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if time and materials basis is not closely monitored.
Ensuring continued relevance of services as cyber threats evolve.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical cyber support functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these specialized services.
Focus on cybersecurity aligns with critical national infrastructure protection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management and technical consulting. The federal IT consulting market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in cybersecurity, cloud migration, and data analytics. NOAA's need for specialized cyber support is consistent with broader government-wide efforts to modernize and secure IT infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar specialized consulting services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but this $10.7 million award over three years represents a significant investment in a critical niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order under a larger contract, it's possible that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the task order. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NOAA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Marine and Aviation Cyber Center. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Cybersecurity Services
IT Consulting
Technical Support Services
Engineering Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs
NOAA IT Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Cybersecurity Criticality
Single Contractor Dependence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10.7 million to RAYE IT CONSULTING LLC. OMAO/MARINE AND AVIATION CYBER CENTER (MACC),SPECIALIZED CONSULTING, TECHNICAL AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYE IT CONSULTING 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 $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Raye IT Consulting LLC in delivering similar specialized IT and cybersecurity services to federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of Raye IT Consulting LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Given this is a delivery order, it's possible Raye IT Consulting LLC was a pre-qualified vendor on a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Understanding their experience with similar scopes of work, particularly in cybersecurity for aviation or marine sectors, is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this award. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget delivery of complex technical services would be a positive indicator.

How does the awarded amount of $10.7 million compare to similar specialized consulting contracts for cybersecurity support within NOAA or other federal agencies?

The $10.7 million award over three years (approximately $3.57 million annually) for specialized IT, technical, and engineering support, particularly for cybersecurity, needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal contracts. Factors influencing this comparison include the specific services required (e.g., threat analysis, system hardening, incident response), the level of expertise needed, and the duration. Contracts for highly specialized cybersecurity roles, especially those requiring deep technical knowledge and security clearances, can command significant price points. Reviewing data from similar NOAA or Department of Transportation (which oversees aviation) contracts for cyber support, or even broader Department of Defense cyber contracts (adjusted for complexity), would provide context. If this rate is significantly higher or lower than comparable contracts, it warrants further investigation into the underlying cost drivers or potential value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the time and materials (T&M) pricing structure, which requires diligent monitoring to ensure efficient labor utilization. There's also a risk related to the contractor's ability to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber threats and technologies, necessitating continuous adaptation and skill development. Dependence on a single contractor for critical cyber functions presents a risk if performance falters or if the contractor faces financial instability. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight, regular performance reviews, clearly defined deliverables, strict invoicing controls, and potentially requiring the contractor to demonstrate ongoing training and R&D investment. NOAA may also maintain contingency plans or alternative support options.

How effective is the current cybersecurity posture of NOAA's Marine and Aviation Cyber Center (MACC), and how will this contract contribute to its improvement?

The effectiveness of NOAA's MACC cybersecurity posture is not directly detailed in the provided data. However, the issuance of this contract signifies a recognized need for enhanced support. This contract is intended to provide specialized consulting, technical, and engineering services that will likely bolster the MACC's capabilities in areas such as threat detection, vulnerability management, incident response, and system security architecture. The contractor's expertise is expected to complement internal NOAA resources, addressing specific cyber challenges and contributing to a more resilient and secure operational environment for marine and aviation activities. The success will be measured by the contractor's ability to deliver tangible improvements in security metrics and operational continuity.

What has been the historical spending pattern for similar IT and cybersecurity consulting services by NOAA's Marine and Aviation Cyber Center (MACC) or related divisions?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for MACC or related NOAA divisions on IT and cybersecurity consulting is essential for context. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate shifts in priorities, emerging threats, or changes in internal capabilities. Understanding the typical contract vehicles used (e.g., IDIQ, task orders) and the average duration and value of these contracts would help determine if the current $10.7 million award is an anomaly or part of a consistent investment strategy. This historical data also aids in validating the reasonableness of the current contract's pricing and scope.

What are the specific technical and engineering challenges that Raye IT Consulting LLC is expected to address under this contract?

The contract specifies 'specialized consulting, technical and engineering support services' for the MACC. This implies a need for expertise beyond standard IT support. Potential technical challenges could include securing complex aviation and marine operational systems, integrating new cybersecurity technologies, developing custom security solutions, analyzing large datasets for threat intelligence, and providing engineering support for the design and implementation of secure network infrastructures. Engineering support might involve ensuring the reliability and resilience of cyber systems under demanding operational conditions. The exact nature of these challenges would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the delivery order.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 108 PAINTED ROCK CT, GARNER, NC, 27529

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,652,526

Exercised Options: $13,652,526

Current Obligation: $10,720,635

Actual Outlays: $9,417,161

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA21D006Q

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline