NOAA Awards $11M for Environmental Consulting, Boosting Scientific Support Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,013,548 ($11.0M)
Contractor: Research Planning, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2023-12-21
End Date: 2026-12-20
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: BUSINESS & SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: EDMONDS, SNOHOMISH County, WASHINGTON, 98020
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $11.0 million to RESEARCH PLANNING, INC. for work described as: BUSINESS & SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $11.01 million awarded. 2. Research Planning, Inc. secured the contract. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract supports environmental consulting services for NOAA.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure allows flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts is recommended.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for essential environmental services.
Public Impact
Enhances NOAA's capacity for critical environmental research and analysis. Supports long-term environmental monitoring and planning initiatives. Contributes to the understanding and management of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure quality.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical scientific and environmental missions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Business & Scientific Support Services sector, specifically Environmental Consulting. Spending in this sector is crucial for government agencies to meet regulatory requirements and conduct research.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, indicating a focus on larger, established firms for this specific requirement. Further analysis could explore subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, is responsible for oversight. Regular performance reviews and financial audits will be key to ensuring accountability and effective use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model.
- Contract duration of three years.
- No specific small business set-aside.
- Potential for scope creep without strict management.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-commerce, wa, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $11.0 million to RESEARCH PLANNING, INC.. BUSINESS & SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RESEARCH PLANNING, 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 $11.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-12-21. End: 2026-12-20.
What specific environmental challenges will this contract address for NOAA?
This contract is expected to address a range of environmental challenges, including but not limited to, coastal resilience planning, marine ecosystem health assessments, climate change impact studies, and regulatory compliance support for NOAA's diverse operations and research initiatives.
How will the effectiveness of Research Planning, Inc.'s services be measured?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to project deliverables, adherence to timelines, quality of reports and analyses, and overall client satisfaction from NOAA. Regular progress reviews and final project assessments will be crucial.
What is the potential risk associated with the Time and Materials pricing model?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) model is the potential for uncontrolled cost escalation if not managed diligently. This necessitates strong oversight from NOAA to ensure labor hours and material costs are reasonable and directly tied to project scope.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305M2-23-R-NCNR0019
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1121 PARK ST, COLUMBIA, SC, 29201
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,646,837
Exercised Options: $12,593,906
Current Obligation: $11,013,548
Actual Outlays: $7,129,645
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M419DNCNA0024
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-12-21
Current End Date: 2026-12-20
Potential End Date: 2028-12-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-15
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