NOAA awards $791,780 for lodging in Norfolk, VA to Bluewater Management Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $79,178 ($79.2K)

Contractor: Bluewater Management Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 152 days

Daily Burn Rate: $521/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OMAO LODGING IN NORFOLK, VA

Place of Performance

Location: NORFOLK, NORFOLK CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23510

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $79,178 to BLUEWATER MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC for work described as: OMAO LODGING IN NORFOLK, VA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Short performance period (approx. 5 months) may limit long-term value assessment. 4. No small business set-aside, raising questions about broader economic impact. 5. Services fall under Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services, a common administrative function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $791,780 for approximately five months of lodging services appears reasonable for the scope. Benchmarking against similar travel arrangement contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions. However, the fixed-price nature provides cost certainty. The value proposition hinges on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the lodging secured by Bluewater Management Group.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which implies that the underlying BPA was competed on a full and open basis. The specific call order likely leveraged the pre-existing competition of the BPA. The number of bidders for the BPA itself would determine the depth of initial competition, which influences price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for the BPA ensures that taxpayers benefit from a competitive marketplace, driving down prices and improving service quality for this lodging requirement.

Public Impact

Federal employees traveling to Norfolk, VA, will benefit from arranged lodging. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the primary beneficiary. Services are geographically focused on Norfolk, Virginia. The contract supports administrative functions within NOAA, indirectly impacting scientific and operational missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on the specific services provided beyond 'lodging'.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly within the fixed price.
Dependence on a single BPA call for this specific need.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a pre-competed BPA, suggesting some level of vetting.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Short duration may indicate a pilot or specific, time-bound need.

Sector Analysis

The Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services sector (NAICS 561599) encompasses a wide range of businesses that facilitate travel for individuals and organizations. This contract represents a small portion of federal spending within this sector, which is often characterized by a mix of large travel management companies and smaller, specialized firms. Federal agencies frequently utilize such services to manage employee travel efficiently and cost-effectively.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. Future BPA calls or the overarching BPA's structure might include small business participation goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with the award details available, but specifics on service delivery and performance metrics would require further inquiry.

Related Government Programs

Federal Travel Regulations
Government Lodging Programs
Travel Management Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited performance data available
Potential for uncompetitive pricing if BPA is not actively managed
Lack of small business subcontracting requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $79,178 to BLUEWATER MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC. OMAO LODGING IN NORFOLK, VA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUEWATER MANAGEMENT GROUP 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 $79,178.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2024-09-30.

What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this BPA Call, and how does Bluewater Management Group ensure cost-effectiveness in lodging arrangements?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services' with a focus on lodging in Norfolk, VA. A detailed breakdown of services would typically be found in the BPA Call document itself or associated task orders. To ensure cost-effectiveness, Bluewater Management Group likely leverages negotiated rates with hotels, volume discounts, and potentially preferred vendor agreements established under the parent BPA. The firm fixed price structure incentivizes them to manage these arrangements efficiently to maintain profitability. Further analysis would require access to the BPA Call details and performance reports to assess if the rates secured are competitive with market benchmarks for similar federal travel needs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal lodging arrangements in the Norfolk, VA area?

Direct comparison of this contract's pricing to similar federal lodging arrangements in Norfolk, VA, is challenging without specific per-diem rates or detailed service inclusions. The total award amount of $791,780 over approximately five months suggests an average monthly expenditure of roughly $158,000. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the number of rooms, duration of stays, and specific hotel tiers secured. Government travel cards and standard per-diem rates often serve as benchmarks, but negotiated rates through a BPA can differ. A deeper dive into historical NOAA lodging costs or solicitations for comparable services in the region would provide a more robust comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Bluewater Management Group's performance being monitored?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a lodging arrangement contract typically include factors such as on-time booking, adherence to budget, traveler satisfaction, and compliance with federal travel regulations. Specific KPIs for this BPA Call would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or the parent BPA's terms. Monitoring is usually conducted by the NOAA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), who would track performance against these KPIs, review monthly reports from Bluewater Management Group, and potentially solicit feedback from traveling personnel. The firm fixed price nature implies that meeting these performance standards is crucial for the contractor's profitability.

What is the track record of Bluewater Management Group LLC in providing similar travel and lodging services to the federal government?

Bluewater Management Group LLC has a track record of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the administrative and travel support categories. Examining their contract history reveals previous awards for services such as temporary lodging, travel arrangements, and facility support. The value and duration of these past contracts would provide insight into their capacity and experience. A review of past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would offer further context on their reliability and effectiveness in delivering services comparable to this NOAA contract. Their presence in the federal contracting space suggests they possess the necessary registrations and experience.

What is the historical spending pattern for NOAA's lodging and travel arrangement services in the Norfolk, VA region?

Historical spending patterns for NOAA's lodging and travel arrangement services in the Norfolk, VA region are not detailed in the provided data. However, federal agencies like NOAA typically have recurring needs for such services, especially in areas with significant operational presence or training facilities. Annual spending can fluctuate based on mission requirements, travel policies, and the number of personnel requiring accommodation. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services to NOAA or other agencies in the same geographic area would reveal trends in spending volume, contract types (e.g., BPA, FFP), and average contract values over several fiscal years.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services › All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 820 GREENBRIER CIR, CHESAPEAKE, VA, 23320

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $79,178

Exercised Options: $79,178

Current Obligation: $79,178

Actual Outlays: $79,178

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M224A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline