NOAA Awards $99K for Environmental Consulting, Completing Block 59 Loop

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $99,348 ($99.3K)

Contractor: Research Planning, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-03-05

End Date: 2026-04-03

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01596

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $99,347.94 to RESEARCH PLANNING, INC. for work described as: BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01596 Key points: 1. Spending is relatively low at $99K, suggesting a focused scope. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a competitive process. 3. The contract is short-term (29 days), potentially for immediate needs. 4. Environmental consulting services are crucial for NOAA's mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $99,347.94 for a 29-day period seems reasonable for specialized environmental consulting. Benchmarking against similar short-term, open-competition contracts for environmental services would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value and competitive award process.

Public Impact

Ensures critical environmental data collection and analysis for NOAA. Supports regulatory compliance and environmental protection efforts. Provides specialized expertise for urgent or short-term environmental needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short duration may indicate a reactive need rather than planned procurement.
Lack of detailed scope limits understanding of true value.
Time and Materials pricing can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Relatively low dollar value.
Supports NOAA's environmental mission.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services are essential for government agencies like NOAA to manage natural resources, conduct research, and ensure compliance. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or were awarded this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call suggests a pre-negotiated framework, which can streamline oversight. However, the short duration and specific nature of the task require diligent monitoring to ensure performance and cost control.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials.
Short duration may limit thoroughness of assessment.
Emergency designation could indicate reactive rather than proactive planning.
Lack of detail on specific environmental issue addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $99,347.94 to RESEARCH PLANNING, INC.. BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01596

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH PLANNING, 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 $99,347.94.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-05. End: 2026-04-03.

What specific environmental issues or projects necessitated this emergency order, and how does the awarded scope address them effectively?

The 'emergency order' designation suggests an urgent need related to the 'BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL'. The scope likely involves immediate assessment, containment, or remediation consulting services to address the environmental impact of this spill. Effectiveness will depend on the consultant's ability to provide timely, accurate, and actionable recommendations to mitigate damage and comply with regulations.

Given the 'emergency' nature and short timeframe, what risks exist regarding the thoroughness of the environmental assessment and the potential for unforeseen costs?

The primary risk is that the urgency may compromise the depth of the environmental assessment, potentially leading to incomplete data or missed critical factors. Time and Materials pricing, combined with a compressed schedule, increases the risk of cost overruns if the scope expands or unforeseen complexities arise during the spill response. Robust oversight is crucial.

How does this contract contribute to NOAA's long-term environmental monitoring or research goals, beyond addressing the immediate spill event?

This specific contract appears primarily focused on addressing an immediate environmental incident (the spill). While the data collected or recommendations made might inform future NOAA actions, it's unlikely to directly contribute to long-term monitoring or research programs unless explicitly designed to do so. Its value lies in immediate response and mitigation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

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: 1121 PARK ST, COLUMBIA, SC, 29201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,348

Exercised Options: $99,348

Current Obligation: $99,348

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M223ANCNR0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline