NOAA spends $24,222 on a two-day damage control training course for 35 students

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,222 ($24.2K)

Contractor: Training Resources Limited, a Nevada Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-06-16

End Date: 2026-06-17

Contract Duration: 1 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OMAO SPECIFIC DAMAGE CONTROL COURSE FOR NOAA SHIP RAINER IN NEWPORT, OR ON 16-17 JUNE, 2026 FOR 35 STUDENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92110

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $24,222 to TRAINING RESOURCES LIMITED, A NEVADA CORPORATION for work described as: OMAO SPECIFIC DAMAGE CONTROL COURSE FOR NOAA SHIP RAINER IN NEWPORT, OR ON 16-17 JUNE, 2026 FOR 35 STUDENTS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $24,222 for a two-day training course appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the subject matter. 2. The training is for NOAA Ship Rainer, indicating a specific operational need within the agency. 3. The course focuses on damage control, a critical safety and operational skill for maritime personnel. 4. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting potential limitations in the procurement process. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for this training event.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The cost of $24,222 for a two-day training for 35 students equates to approximately $692 per student per day. This price point is within a reasonable range for specialized technical training, especially considering the niche subject of maritime damage control. Without specific benchmarks for similar NOAA or Coast Guard damage control courses, a direct comparison is difficult, but the cost does not appear excessively high for a targeted, short-duration program.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $692 per student per day.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was noted as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP.' This indicates that the procurement did not follow the standard competitive procedures for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. It is unclear if this was a sole-source award, a limited competition, or if it falls under an exception to full and open competition. The lack of explicit competition details raises questions about whether the government received the best possible pricing and value.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of clear competition details means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing that could have been achieved through a broader solicitation process.

Public Impact

Personnel aboard NOAA Ship Rainer will receive critical damage control training, enhancing operational safety and readiness. The training directly supports NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. The 35 students trained will be better equipped to handle emergencies at sea, protecting both personnel and valuable assets. This investment in training contributes to the overall effectiveness and safety of NOAA's maritime operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of documented full and open competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and missed opportunities for better value.
The specific details of the procurement process are not fully transparent, making it difficult to assess fairness and efficiency.

Positive Signals

The training addresses a critical operational need for maritime safety and damage control.
The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific training event.
The training is targeted to a specific vessel and crew, ensuring relevant skill development.

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector encompasses a wide range of services, from general business skills to highly specialized technical instruction. This contract falls into the latter category, focusing on maritime safety and operational readiness. The market for such specialized training is often limited to a few providers with the requisite expertise and certifications. Benchmarking this specific course against broader training market data is challenging due to its niche focus.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The nature of specialized technical training often limits the pool of eligible contractors, and it is not uncommon for such contracts to be awarded to firms that may not be small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation was mandated or occurred.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General, which is responsible for auditing and investigating programs and operations within the department, including NOAA. Transparency regarding the procurement process, especially the justification for not competing under SAP, would be key to assessing accountability. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies financial oversight.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Maritime Operations
Federal Maritime Training Programs
Emergency Response Training
Shipboard Safety Courses

Risk Flags

Procurement Process Lacks Transparency
Potential for Non-Competitive Award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $24,222 to TRAINING RESOURCES LIMITED, A NEVADA CORPORATION. OMAO SPECIFIC DAMAGE CONTROL COURSE FOR NOAA SHIP RAINER IN NEWPORT, OR ON 16-17 JUNE, 2026 FOR 35 STUDENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRAINING RESOURCES LIMITED, A NEVADA CORPORATION.

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 $24,222.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-16. End: 2026-06-17.

What is the track record of Training Resources Limited in providing similar specialized maritime training?

Information regarding the specific track record of Training Resources Limited in providing similar specialized maritime damage control training is not readily available in the provided data. To assess their suitability and past performance, a review of their contract history with government agencies, client testimonials, and any past performance evaluations would be necessary. Understanding their experience with NOAA or other maritime agencies would provide crucial context for evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of their services for this specific course. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their expertise beyond the scope of this single award.

How does the per-student cost of this training compare to other federal damage control courses?

The per-student cost for this training is approximately $692 per day, totaling $1,384 per student for the two-day course. Benchmarking this against other federal damage control courses is challenging without specific data points. However, specialized technical training, particularly in safety-critical areas like maritime damage control, often commands higher prices due to the expertise required, specialized equipment, and limited provider pool. For context, general professional development courses can range from $200-$500 per day. Given the niche nature, this cost appears within a plausible range, but a direct comparison to similar, government-specific maritime safety courses would be ideal for a definitive value assessment.

What are the specific risks associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' procurement for this type of training?

The primary risk associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation is the potential lack of robust competition. This can lead to several issues: 1) Higher Prices: Without competitive bids, the government may pay more than necessary. 2) Limited Innovation: A single source or limited competition may not explore innovative or more cost-effective training methods offered by other providers. 3) Reduced Transparency: The justification for not competing needs to be clear; if it's not well-documented, it raises concerns about fairness and potential favoritism. 4) Potential for Suboptimal Quality: While not guaranteed, less competition can sometimes correlate with less pressure to deliver the highest quality service. For this specific training, the risk is that NOAA might not have secured the absolute best value or most effective training available on the market.

What is the expected effectiveness of this training in improving NOAA Ship Rainer's damage control capabilities?

The expected effectiveness of this training hinges on several factors not detailed in the award data. These include the quality of the curriculum, the experience of the instructors from Training Resources Limited, the hands-on components of the course, and the crew's engagement and retention of the material. Damage control is a critical skill for maritime operations, and proper training can significantly enhance a vessel's ability to respond to emergencies, thereby protecting personnel and assets. The two-day duration suggests a focused, intensive program. Post-training drills and assessments would be the best way to measure the actual improvement in the crew's capabilities.

How does this $24,222 training expenditure fit into NOAA's overall annual spending on professional development and maritime safety?

This $24,222 expenditure represents a small fraction of NOAA's overall budget, which runs into billions of dollars annually. Within NOAA's specific budget for professional development and maritime safety, this amount is likely a targeted investment for a particular operational need. To understand its significance, one would need to compare it to the total allocated funds for training across all NOAA fleets and departments, as well as expenditures on other safety equipment and protocols. Without broader budget context, it's difficult to assess if this is a significant or routine investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3980 SHERMAN ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,222

Exercised Options: $24,222

Current Obligation: $24,222

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M223DNMAN0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline