NOAA awards $2.87M for custom computer programming to EMPRISE CORPORATION, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $287,152 ($287.2K)

Contractor: Emprise Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-02-05

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,119 days

Daily Burn Rate: $257/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SAMM DATABASE FOR THE NOAA RONALD H.BROWN

Place of Performance

Location: LEDYARD, NEW LONDON County, CONNECTICUT, 06339

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $287,152.06 to EMPRISE CORPORATION for work described as: SAMM DATABASE FOR THE NOAA RONALD H.BROWN Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The contract duration of 1119 days suggests a need for sustained support. 3. Awarded to EMPRISE CORPORATION, a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 4. The NAICS code 541511 points to a focus on custom software development. 5. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal IT spending. 6. The contract is a delivery order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $2.87 million contract for custom computer programming is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has defined the scope and expects the contractor to deliver within the agreed-upon cost. Comparing this to similar contracts for custom programming services would require access to a broader dataset of federal procurements with comparable scope and complexity. The absence of competition in this specific award warrants closer scrutiny of the pricing to ensure it aligns with market rates for similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. The data indicates a sole-source award, meaning only one vendor, EMPRISE CORPORATION, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves soliciting proposals from multiple vendors. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery and innovation that usually arises from a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no pressure from competing bids to drive down prices. It also limits opportunities for other businesses to secure federal contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which will receive custom computer programming services. These services are expected to support NOAA's operational needs and potentially its scientific research and data management efforts. The contract is geographically located in Connecticut, suggesting potential local economic impact. The workforce implications are tied to the IT sector, specifically custom software development professionals employed by EMPRISE CORPORATION.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential issues with market research or vendor lock-in.
The specific nature of 'custom computer programming' requires careful oversight to ensure deliverables meet NOAA's evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is awarded to a specific entity, EMPRISE CORPORATION, suggesting they possess the required expertise.
The contract duration indicates a commitment to a stable, long-term solution.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511), is a significant area of federal spending. Agencies like NOAA rely heavily on specialized software to manage vast datasets, run complex simulations, and support operational missions. Federal spending in this area often involves bespoke solutions tailored to unique agency requirements, making direct comparisons difficult. However, the overall IT services market is highly competitive, and sole-source awards in this space warrant scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and value.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus is on a prime contractor, EMPRISE CORPORATION. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this particular contract are limited unless they are part of EMPRISE CORPORATION's supply chain or are awarded separate contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a sole-source award, there is a greater emphasis on the contracting officer's responsibility to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and that the scope of work is clearly defined and met. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, but the lack of competitive proposals limits public insight into the justification for the sole-source award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Services
Software Development
NOAA IT Contracts
Department of Commerce IT Spending

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential for unbenchmarked pricing.
Need for clear performance metrics for custom programming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $287,152.06 to EMPRISE CORPORATION. SAMM DATABASE FOR THE NOAA RONALD H.BROWN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMPRISE CORPORATION.

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 $287,152.06.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-05. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of EMPRISE CORPORATION in delivering custom computer programming services to the federal government?

Information regarding EMPRISE CORPORATION's specific track record with federal custom computer programming services is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to examine past federal contract awards to EMPRISE CORPORATION, including contract values, performance reviews (if publicly available), and any past performance evaluations. A review of the SAM.gov database or other federal procurement data sources would be necessary to identify previous contracts, their duration, and whether they were completed successfully and on time. Understanding their history with similar projects, especially those involving NOAA or other scientific agencies, would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability to fulfill this current $2.87 million contract.

How does the $2.87 million contract value compare to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

Without specific details on the scope and complexity of the custom computer programming services required by NOAA for this $2.87 million contract, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. Federal IT contracts vary widely in price based on factors such as the technology stack, development methodology, duration, number of users, data complexity, and required security clearances. However, $2.87 million for a contract spanning over three years (February 2024 to February 2027) suggests a moderately sized project. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (541511) awarded by agencies with comparable missions to NOAA, looking at the total contract value, period of performance, and the nature of the services rendered. A review of historical spending patterns within NOAA for custom software development could also provide relevant context.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for custom computer programming?

The primary risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for custom computer programming include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive pressure, reduced innovation as there's no incentive for vendors to offer novel solutions, and a risk of vendor lock-in where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most capable or cost-effective option available in the market. Furthermore, sole-source awards can create a perception of unfairness and may limit opportunities for other qualified businesses. Effective risk mitigation requires robust justification for the sole-source award, thorough negotiation of terms and pricing, and stringent performance monitoring to ensure value for taxpayer money.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for custom computer programming?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in managing costs for custom computer programming when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns, providing the government with cost certainty. This is beneficial for budgeting and financial planning. However, for highly complex or rapidly evolving custom programming projects, an FFP contract can be less suitable if unforeseen technical challenges or scope changes are likely. In such cases, the contractor might build in a higher contingency into the price to cover potential risks, or the government might need to issue change orders, which can increase administrative burden and potentially costs. For this NOAA contract, the FFP structure suggests a clear understanding of the requirements.

What are the historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services at NOAA?

Historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services at NOAA are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and filter for NOAA contracts under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the total amount spent, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured, and the primary contractors. Understanding these patterns can help identify trends, assess whether spending has increased or decreased, and determine if NOAA typically uses competitive or sole-source strategies for these types of services. Such historical data is crucial for contextualizing the current $2.87 million award and evaluating its alignment with past procurement practices.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7 LORENZ INDUSTRIAL PKWY, LEDYARD, CT, 06339

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $287,152

Exercised Options: $287,152

Current Obligation: $287,152

Actual Outlays: $209,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M221DNMAN0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline