NWS MDL Contract Awarded to Arch Systems LLC for $8.3M in Computer Systems Design Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,311,980 ($8.3M)
Contractor: Arch Systems LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-09-29
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (OSTI) METEOROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY (MDL) SUPPORT SERVICES - RECOMPETE CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $8.3 million to ARCH SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (OSTI) METEOROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY (MDL) SUPPORT SERVICES - RECOMPETE CONTRACT Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential meteorological development laboratory support services. 2. Arch Systems LLC is the incumbent contractor, suggesting potential for continuity. 3. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrants close monitoring for cost control. 4. This award falls under the Computer Systems Design Services NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials (T&M) type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts for IT services is recommended to ensure fair pricing.
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 have yielded the most competitive pricing possible.
Taxpayer Impact: The T&M pricing structure and limited competition raise concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds if not rigorously overseen.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and development of critical weather forecasting and research systems. Supports the National Weather Service's mission to protect life and property. Impacts the accuracy and efficiency of meteorological data analysis and modeling.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing
- Limited competition
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Incumbent contractor may provide seamless transition
- Supports critical weather services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT support contracts should be considered for evaluating cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates robust oversight to ensure efficient use of resources and prevent scope creep. Regular performance reviews and cost tracking are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to uncontrolled costs.
- Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of small business awardee requires further scrutiny.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if Arch Systems is the sole provider of specialized knowledge.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $8.3 million to ARCH SYSTEMS LLC. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION (OSTI) METEOROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY (MDL) SUPPORT SERVICES - RECOMPETE CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARCH SYSTEMS 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 $8.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.
What is the estimated total value of this contract over its full duration, and how does it compare to similar meteorological support contracts?
The current award value is $8,311,980.14 with a duration of 729 days (approximately 2 years). A comprehensive comparison would require access to a database of similar contracts, but this value appears moderate for specialized IT support services within a federal agency like NOAA, especially considering the critical nature of meteorological development.
What specific risks are associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award method, and how are they being mitigated?
This award method suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders and the resulting price competition. Mitigation strategies should include a thorough justification for the exclusion of sources and robust negotiation tactics to ensure fair pricing despite the limited competition.
How will the effectiveness of Arch Systems LLC's services be measured to ensure the National Weather Service's objectives are met?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as system uptime, response times for support requests, successful implementation of new features or updates, and overall user satisfaction from NWS personnel. Regular performance reviews and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) are key indicators.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 1305M224Q0054
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1800 WASHINGTON BLVD STE 421, BALTIMORE, MD, 21230
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,780,081
Exercised Options: $11,677,384
Current Obligation: $8,311,980
Actual Outlays: $6,496,592
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N98119D00086
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2027-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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