Commerce awards $98,892 for Gravimeter Maintenance, Upgrade, and Support to Micro-g LaCoste Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $98,892 ($98.9K)
Contractor: Micro-G Lacoste Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-09-06
End Date: 2027-09-05
Contract Duration: 1,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $90/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE, UPGRADE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR GRAVIMETER TAGS7 (S/N S-224) BASE YEAR
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80305
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $98,892.36 to MICRO-G LACOSTE INC for work described as: ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE, UPGRADE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR GRAVIMETER TAGS7 (S/N S-224) BASE YEAR Key points: 1. The contract is for essential maintenance and technical support of specific gravimeter equipment. 2. Micro-g LaCoste Inc. is the sole provider of this specialized service. 3. The contract duration is three years, indicating a need for ongoing support. 4. The spending is categorized under Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The price of $98,892.36 for three years of maintenance and support for a specialized gravimeter appears reasonable given the niche nature of the equipment and the sole provider.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, likely due to the specialized nature of the equipment and the manufacturer's proprietary technology. This limits price discovery and competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential equipment maintenance, ensuring operational continuity for NOAA's scientific instruments.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical scientific measurement equipment for NOAA. Supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's data collection and research capabilities. Maintains the functionality of specialized gravimeter technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 90 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of competition may lead to higher prices over time.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical support.
Positive Signals
- Essential service for critical scientific equipment.
- Long-term support contract ensures operational continuity.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for government agencies relying on specialized scientific and technical instruments.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Micro-g LaCoste Inc., which is not identified as a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a purchase order from the Department of Commerce to NOAA. Oversight would typically involve contract management by NOAA officials to ensure service delivery and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical support
Tags
electronic-and-precision-equipment-repai, department-of-commerce, co, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $98,892.36 to MICRO-G LACOSTE INC. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE, UPGRADE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR GRAVIMETER TAGS7 (S/N S-224) BASE YEAR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MICRO-G LACOSTE INC.
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 $98,892.36.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-06. End: 2027-09-05.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has NOAA explored alternative support options?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from the unique capabilities or proprietary nature of the product or service. For specialized equipment like gravimeters, the original manufacturer often holds the exclusive rights to provide maintenance, upgrades, and technical support. NOAA would need to document that no other vendor can provide the required services, potentially through market research or technical assessments, to justify bypassing full and open competition.
What is the long-term strategy for gravimeter maintenance and potential replacement to mitigate sole-source dependency?
Given the sole-source nature of this contract, NOAA should consider a long-term strategy that addresses potential vendor lock-in and future technological advancements. This could involve exploring opportunities for technology transfer, developing in-house expertise for certain maintenance tasks, or planning for the eventual replacement of the gravimeter with equipment that offers broader vendor support or utilizes more common technologies.
How does the annual maintenance cost compare to the initial acquisition cost of the gravimeter, and what is the expected lifespan of the equipment?
Without the initial acquisition cost or the expected lifespan of the gravimeter, it is difficult to assess the value proposition of this maintenance contract. A comprehensive analysis would compare the total cost of ownership, including maintenance over the equipment's projected lifespan, against its scientific utility and the cost of potential downtime or replacement. This helps determine if the ongoing investment is economically justified.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance › Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 141011-24-0093
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1401 HORIZON AVE, LAFAYETTE, CO, 80026
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $169,010
Exercised Options: $98,892
Current Obligation: $98,892
Actual Outlays: $65,111
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-06
Current End Date: 2027-09-05
Potential End Date: 2029-09-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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