Commerce Department awards $15K for humidity probe cables, highlighting specialized component needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,999 ($15.0K)

Contractor: Flynn Technical Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 82 days

Daily Burn Rate: $183/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HUMIDITY PROBE CABLES FOR THE THE NDBC AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS.

Place of Performance

Location: PALM COAST, FLAGLER County, FLORIDA, 32137

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $14,999.04 to FLYNN TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: HUMIDITY PROBE CABLES FOR THE THE NDBC AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS. Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focus on specific, low-volume needs. 2. Award to Flynn Technical Solutions LLC indicates a reliance on specialized suppliers. 3. The 'Not Competed Under SAP' designation warrants further investigation into competition. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. Short performance period suggests a need for immediate or near-term delivery. 6. The contract supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) data collection efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14,999.04 is modest. Without comparable contract data for similar humidity probe cables, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost control. The pricing appears reasonable for a specialized component, but benchmarking against market rates for similar electronic components would offer a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been awarded under other limited competition or sole-source justifications. The specific reason for limited competition is not detailed, but it implies that fewer than the standard number of bidders were solicited or considered. This could potentially lead to less competitive pricing than a full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a scenario with multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from the acquisition of essential data collection equipment. Humidity probe cables are delivered to support the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) operations. The contract supports scientific research and environmental monitoring capabilities. The geographic impact is centered at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, where the NDBC is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed justification for limited competition raises concerns about potential missed savings.
Absence of small business set-aside information may indicate limited opportunities for smaller firms in this specific procurement.
The specific technical requirements of the humidity probe cables are not detailed, making it hard to assess if they are overly restrictive.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specific vendor, Flynn Technical Solutions LLC, suggests expertise in this niche area.
The contract supports critical NOAA data collection infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Electronic Component Manufacturing' sector, a broad category encompassing the production of specialized electronic parts. The market for such components is often niche, driven by specific technological requirements and applications. The value of this particular contract is small, but it represents a segment of the larger defense and scientific instrumentation market where specialized suppliers are crucial for meeting unique operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate if it was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the small value and specialized nature, it's possible that opportunities for small businesses were limited or not explicitly pursued in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have fulfilled this requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's Inspector General. The fixed-price nature of the award simplifies some aspects of oversight by focusing on delivery and specifications rather than cost allowability. Transparency is moderate, with basic contract details available, but the justification for limited competition is not fully elaborated.

Related Government Programs

National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Operations
NOAA Weather and Climate Monitoring
Electronic Component Procurement
Scientific Instrumentation Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Lack of Small Business Participation
Potential for Price Undiscovery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $14,999.04 to FLYNN TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS LLC. HUMIDITY PROBE CABLES FOR THE THE NDBC AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLYNN TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS 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 $14,999.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-07-01.

What is the specific technical requirement for these humidity probe cables, and why are they needed by the NDBC?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'HUMIDITY PROBE CABLES FOR THE THE NDBC AT STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS.' While the exact technical specifications are not detailed, humidity probe cables are critical components for meteorological and oceanographic data collection. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) operates a network of buoys and stations that collect vital environmental data, including atmospheric conditions like humidity. These cables likely connect sensors to data loggers or transmission units, ensuring the accurate and reliable collection of humidity measurements essential for weather forecasting, climate research, and marine safety. The specific need likely stems from maintenance, replacement, or expansion of existing data collection infrastructure at the Stennis Space Center facility.

Can the value of this contract be benchmarked against similar procurements for humidity probe cables?

Benchmarking this $14,999.04 contract for humidity probe cables is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of similar, publicly available procurements. The market for specialized electronic components like these can be fragmented, with pricing varying significantly based on technical specifications, quantity, manufacturer, and supplier. Given the 'Not Competed Under SAP' designation, it suggests a potentially specialized or low-volume need. A thorough benchmark would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar technical requirements, quantities, and performance periods, which are not readily available in the provided data. Therefore, a definitive value comparison is difficult at this stage.

What are the implications of the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status for this contract?

The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status indicates that this contract was not procured using the standard Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which are typically used for purchases below a certain threshold (often $250,000) and are designed for efficiency and broad competition. This designation suggests that the procurement may have fallen under different regulatory pathways, potentially involving limited sources, specific justifications for other-than-full-and-open competition, or other specialized acquisition rules. It implies that the agency did not solicit offers from a wide range of vendors as might occur under SAP. This could be due to factors like urgency, unique technical requirements, or existing relationships with suppliers. The lack of full competition raises questions about whether the government obtained the best possible price and value.

What is Flynn Technical Solutions LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly for electronic components?

Information regarding Flynn Technical Solutions LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially for electronic components, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to examine their contract history across various federal agencies, looking at the types of goods or services provided, contract values, performance ratings, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government contracting databases would be necessary to build a comprehensive profile of the contractor's federal engagement and reliability in delivering similar products.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?

This $14,999.04 contract for humidity probe cables represents a very small portion of NOAA's overall budget and spending. NOAA's mission encompasses a wide range of activities, including climate monitoring, weather forecasting, oceanographic research, and coastal management, which involve significant investments in research, infrastructure, technology, and personnel. Procurements like this one are typically for specific operational needs, such as maintaining or upgrading data collection equipment for programs like the National Data Buoy Center. While individually small, such contracts collectively support the vast network of scientific instruments and facilities that enable NOAA's critical functions. Analyzing this contract in isolation provides limited insight into NOAA's broader spending priorities, which are better understood by examining larger program budgets and major equipment procurements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing › Other Electronic Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 VIA VERONA, PALM COAST, FL, 32137

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,999

Exercised Options: $14,999

Current Obligation: $14,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline