NOAA Awards $6.99M for Climate Adaptation Research to UCAR
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,989,541 ($7.0M)
Contractor: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-06-01
End Date: 2025-06-30
Contract Duration: 394 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: UCAR TO - CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION PROGRAM (CAMP).
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $7.0 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH for work described as: UCAR TO - CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION PROGRAM (CAMP). Key points: 1. Significant investment in climate adaptation and mitigation research. 2. Competition method suggests potential for better pricing. 3. Research and Development sector is critical for climate solutions. 4. UCAR is a specialized research institution.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of the work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical climate research, with potential long-term benefits from adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Public Impact
Supports vital climate change research. Funds advanced scientific inquiry. Potential for innovative climate solutions. Investment in national climate resilience.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact price efficiency.
- Cost-plus contracts require diligent oversight.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a high-priority national issue.
- Utilizes a specialized research institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to climate. Spending in this area is crucial for developing solutions to environmental challenges.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business participation, as UCAR is a large research institution and the contract is not set aside for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests some level of justification was required for limiting the pool of bidders. Ongoing oversight will be crucial for managing the cost-plus fixed fee structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract.
- Limited competition may reduce price competitiveness.
- Complexity of R&D projects can make oversight challenging.
- Reliance on a single entity for specialized research.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-commerce, co, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $7.0 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH. UCAR TO - CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION PROGRAM (CAMP).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
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 $7.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2025-06-30.
What is the specific methodology for ensuring cost control and value for money in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, given the specialized nature of climate research?
Effective cost control for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract relies on rigorous oversight of UCAR's expenditures, detailed review of indirect cost rates, and clear definition of project milestones. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for efficiency, but the agency must actively monitor actual costs against the estimated budget to ensure value for taxpayer money. Regular progress reports and audits are essential.
How does the limited competition impact the potential for innovation and the discovery of novel solutions compared to a broader, unrestricted competition?
Limited competition, even after excluding sources, might restrict the diversity of approaches and perspectives brought to bear on the climate research problem. While UCAR is a leading institution, a broader competition could have introduced novel methodologies or interdisciplinary collaborations from a wider range of entities, potentially accelerating innovation. However, the specialized nature of CAMP may justify focusing on known experts.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this climate adaptation and mitigation program, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure program effectiveness?
Key performance indicators for CAMP would likely include the successful development of specific climate adaptation strategies, the quantifiable impact of mitigation techniques tested, the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals, and the successful transfer of knowledge to relevant stakeholders. Effectiveness will be measured through regular progress reviews against defined research objectives and deliverables, and potentially through independent evaluations of the program's scientific and practical contributions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3090 CENTER GREEN DR, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,989,541
Exercised Options: $6,989,541
Current Obligation: $6,989,541
Actual Outlays: $6,875,554
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1305M222DNWWK0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-01
Current End Date: 2025-06-30
Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-11
More Contracts from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
- Ucar Task Order - Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program (camp) — $6.4M (Department of Commerce)
- Climate Program Office(cpo) Task Order — $5.1M (Department of Commerce)
- Gomo/Oap Scientific Performance Services — $2.9M (Department of Commerce)
- Instrument Algorithm Maintenance Team for Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (mopitt) — $2.3M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Chromospheric Magnetism Explorer (cmex) — $2.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all University Corporation for Atmospheric Research federal contracts →
Other Department of Commerce Contracts
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (L3harris Technologies, Inc.)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Jpss Common Ground System Instrument and Support — $1.6B (Raytheon Company)
- Enterprise Solutions Framework (ESF) for Multi-Tiered Acquisition Framework for Systems Engineering and Integration - Program Tier Work Order 003 - 2020 Census Technical Integrator — $1.5B (T-Rex Solutions LLC)
- THE Goal of the Decennial Response Integration System (dris) Contract IS to Obtain a Practical Solution to Providing Respondent Assistance and Data Capture for the 2010 Census — $930.7M (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance (2020 CQA) — $918.3M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)