NOAA awards $2.9M BPA call to AttainX Inc. for custom computer programming services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,905,283 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Attainx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-07-20

End Date: 2027-01-19

Contract Duration: 548 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MAKING A BPA CALL (FOR NESDIS) AGAINST BPA_1305M224A0009. ALL DOCUMENTATION IS LOCATED ON THE WORKSPACE.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.9 million to ATTAINX INC. for work described as: MAKING A BPA CALL (FOR NESDIS) AGAINST BPA_1305M224A0009. ALL DOCUMENTATION IS LOCATED ON THE WORKSPACE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. AttainX Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific BPA call. 4. The contract duration is approximately 1.8 years, suggesting a focused scope of work. 5. Services fall under Custom Computer Programming, a common IT service category. 6. The award is for NESDIS, a key component of NOAA focused on environmental satellites and data.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $2,905,283.19. As this is a BPA call, the underlying BPA likely underwent a competitive process. However, without details on the BPA's original competition and the specific pricing structure within this call, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and do not exceed the anticipated value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This award was made as a BPA call against a previously competed Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA_1305M224A0009). The 'full and open competition' designation applies to the underlying BPA, suggesting it was broadly competed. However, the specifics of how this particular call was awarded under the BPA are not detailed, and it's possible only a subset of BPA holders were solicited for this specific requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition for the BPA suggests a competitive environment that should have driven favorable pricing for taxpayers. The specific call mechanism under the BPA, if also competed among BPA holders, further supports taxpayer value.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will benefit from custom computer programming services. These services are likely to support NOAA's mission in environmental monitoring, data processing, and scientific research. The primary geographic impact is expected to be within Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports IT professionals and programmers within the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Limited transparency on the specific tasking and deliverables within this BPA call.
Potential for scope creep given the T&M nature of the contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded against a previously competed BPA, suggesting a streamlined and potentially cost-effective procurement.
The contractor, AttainX Inc., is providing specialized IT services.
The contract supports a critical agency (NOAA) with essential IT functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector, a significant segment of the IT services industry. This sector is characterized by a high demand for specialized skills in software development, system integration, and data management. Spending in this area often supports government modernization efforts and the development of mission-critical applications. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services procurements for federal agencies requiring similar custom software solutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this BPA call. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling the requirement through the most capable vendor under the existing BPA.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA IT Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
IT Services for Environmental Agencies
Department of Commerce IT Spending

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Scope Transparency on BPA Call

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.9 million to ATTAINX INC.. MAKING A BPA CALL (FOR NESDIS) AGAINST BPA_1305M224A0009. ALL DOCUMENTATION IS LOCATED ON THE WORKSPACE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATTAINX 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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-20. End: 2027-01-19.

What is the track record of AttainX Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in custom computer programming?

AttainX Inc. has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the IT services domain. Their awards often fall under categories such as custom computer programming, IT management, and related professional services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, adherence to budget, and client satisfaction, is crucial for assessing their capability to execute this BPA call effectively. A review of their contract history, including any past performance evaluations or contract disputes, would provide further insight into their reliability and expertise in delivering complex IT solutions for government agencies.

How does the $2.9M award compare to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

The $2.9M award for custom computer programming services over approximately 1.8 years is a moderate-sized contract within the federal IT landscape. To benchmark its value, comparisons should be made against similar Time and Materials (T&M) contracts for custom software development awarded by NOAA or agencies with comparable missions (e.g., other science or environmental agencies). Factors to consider include the complexity of the services, the labor categories and rates involved, and the specific deliverables. Without detailed pricing breakdowns and scope comparisons, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it falls within a common range for specialized IT support.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for NOAA?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This can lead to increased costs if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. For NOAA, effective risk mitigation involves robust oversight, clear task orders with defined objectives, regular progress reviews, and strict controls on labor hours and material expenditures to ensure the $2.9M ceiling is not exceeded without justification and proper authorization.

How does the competition level for the underlying BPA impact the value for taxpayers on this specific call?

The fact that this BPA call was made against a 'full and open competition' BPA is a positive indicator for taxpayer value. Full and open competition generally means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid, fostering a competitive environment that should drive down prices and encourage innovation. While this specific call might have been competed among a subset of BPA holders or awarded directly depending on the BPA's terms, the initial broad competition for the BPA itself suggests that the government likely secured favorable terms and pricing. This competitive foundation helps ensure that the subsequent calls, like this one, are likely to represent a good use of taxpayer funds.

What is the historical spending pattern for custom computer programming services at NOAA or NESDIS?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services at NOAA or specifically within NESDIS provides context for this $2.9M award. If NOAA has consistently spent similar amounts on comparable services over multi-year periods, this award might represent a continuation of established IT support. Conversely, a significant increase or decrease in spending could signal a shift in program priorities, technology adoption, or procurement strategies. Understanding these historical trends helps assess whether this contract is an anomaly or part of a predictable spending cycle, aiding in the evaluation of its long-term financial implications and resource allocation.

What are the potential performance implications for NESDIS given this contract is for custom computer programming?

The performance implications for NESDIS are potentially significant, as custom computer programming services are often critical for developing and maintaining specialized systems that support the agency's core mission. This could include software for processing satellite data, managing environmental models, enhancing data visualization tools, or improving internal operational workflows. The success of this contract directly impacts NESDIS's ability to leverage technology for its scientific and operational objectives. Effective execution by AttainX Inc. could lead to improved data analysis capabilities, enhanced system reliability, and the development of new functionalities, ultimately supporting NOAA's broader environmental monitoring and forecasting responsibilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 55N, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,201,666

Exercised Options: $2,985,297

Current Obligation: $2,905,283

Actual Outlays: $705,438

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M224A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline