NOAA's NWS Awards Raytheon $19.3M for IT Security and Communications Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,287,831 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Raytheon Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-09-01
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF CT IGF-OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) O&M IT SECURITY SUPPORT PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATIONS (NOAAS) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE P
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $19.3 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: IGF CT IGF-OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) O&M IT SECURITY SUPPORT PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATIONS (NOAAS) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE P Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical IT security and communications for weather services. 2. Raytheon Company is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and potential for higher costs due to limited competition. 4. IT sector spending is significant, but specific benchmarks for this niche are needed.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $19.3 million contract value appears reasonable for specialized IT security and communications support over two years. However, without detailed breakdowns of services and comparison to similar NOAA or NWS contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the award to a single entity, Raytheon Company, warrants further examination to ensure the pricing reflects the best possible value achieved through this competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential weather service IT infrastructure. The competitive award process aims to ensure cost-effectiveness, but ongoing monitoring is needed to confirm value.
Public Impact
Ensures the operational integrity and security of the National Weather Service's advanced systems. Supports critical communications infrastructure for weather forecasting and public warnings. Aims to improve product development and delivery for weather-related services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and deliverables.
- Potential for scope creep in IT security and product improvement services.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure support.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports essential government functions for public safety.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Awarded under full and open competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and IT security. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on complexity and security requirements.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure Raytheon meets all performance requirements and that the pricing remains competitive throughout the contract duration. The Department of Commerce and NOAA's contracting officers are responsible for monitoring this award.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
- Reliance on a single provider for critical IT functions.
- Need for detailed cost breakdown to ensure value for money.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $19.3 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. IGF CT IGF-OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) O&M IT SECURITY SUPPORT PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATIONS (NOAAS) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE P
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.
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 $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.
What specific IT security threats is this contract designed to mitigate for the NWS, and how will success be measured?
The contract likely addresses a range of cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, including potential intrusions, data breaches, and service disruptions. Success measurement would typically involve defined metrics such as incident response times, vulnerability remediation rates, and adherence to security protocols. Specific details would be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance standards.
How does the pricing for these custom computer programming and IT security services compare to industry benchmarks for similar government contracts?
Benchmarking requires detailed service descriptions and labor categories. Given the specialized nature of IT security and advanced weather systems, costs could be higher than standard IT support. A thorough analysis would compare hourly rates, project costs, and overhead against GSA schedules, other agency contracts, and commercial IT security providers.
What is the potential impact on NOAA's ability to adapt to future technological advancements if they are heavily reliant on Raytheon for product improvement?
Over-reliance on a single vendor for product improvement could limit NOAA's access to diverse technological solutions and potentially stifle innovation. It might also lead to vendor lock-in, making future transitions to new technologies more costly and complex. Maintaining flexibility and exploring open standards are key to mitigating this risk.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Rockwell Collins Australia PTY Limited
Address: 22260 PACIFIC BLVD, DULLES, VA, 20166
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,287,831
Exercised Options: $19,287,831
Current Obligation: $19,287,831
Actual Outlays: $19,287,831
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $7,434,198
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCEA133W17CQ0082
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-01
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-04
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