NOAA's $7.8M RRAP Program Management Contract Awarded to National Academy of Sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,844,510 ($7.8M)

Contractor: National Academy of Sciences

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-02-20

End Date: 2024-08-19

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NOAA-WIDE RESIDENT RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP PROGRAM (RRAP)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $7.8 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NOAA-WIDE RESIDENT RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP PROGRAM (RRAP) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The contract duration is over three years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The National Academy of Sciences has a unique role, potentially justifying the sole-source award. 4. Performance is measured by contract deliverables, with no specific performance metrics detailed. 5. The contract type is Cost No Fee, which can present cost control challenges. 6. This contract supports scientific research personnel, aligning with NOAA's mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost No Fee structure means the government reimburses allowable costs without an additional fee. While this can be appropriate for certain research or development efforts where costs are uncertain, it offers less incentive for the contractor to control expenses compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking the value is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar program management contracts for research initiatives. The total award amount of $7.8 million over approximately 42 months suggests a significant investment in managing this program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not publicly competed. The justification for this approach is not detailed in the provided data. Sole-source awards can limit the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing and may indicate a lack of available alternative sources or a specific, unique capability held by the awarded contractor. Without a competitive process, it is challenging to assess the breadth of market interest or the potential for lower bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price, as competition is a key driver for cost savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the resident research associates who receive support and resources to conduct scientific research. The contract facilitates the management and administration of NOAA's Resident Research Associateship Program (RRAP). This program supports scientific advancement and innovation within NOAA's mission areas. The geographic impact is national, as the program aims to attract researchers from across the country to work with NOAA. The workforce implications include supporting a cadre of researchers who contribute to NOAA's scientific endeavors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost No Fee contract type may lead to less contractor incentive for cost efficiency.
Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes objective assessment of contractor efficiency difficult.

Positive Signals

National Academy of Sciences has a long-standing reputation and expertise in managing scientific programs.
The contract supports NOAA's core mission of scientific research and advancement.
The duration of the contract suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector, specifically supporting a research associateship program. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves partnerships between government agencies and scientific organizations. The market size for such specialized program management services is difficult to quantify precisely but is tied to overall federal R&D spending and agency needs for external scientific support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other agencies' management of similar fellowship or research associate programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source contract, there were likely no specific subcontracting goals set for small businesses. This means the primary contractor, the National Academy of Sciences, will manage the program without mandated small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities directly tied to this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore minimal for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NOAA's contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost No Fee contract, rigorous monitoring of allowable costs and adherence to program objectives would be crucial. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract actions. However, specific details on internal oversight mechanisms or the involvement of an Inspector General for this particular award are not provided in the summary data.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Research Programs
National Science Foundation Fellowships
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Programs
Federal Research Grant Management

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
Cost No Fee contract type may reduce contractor incentive for cost efficiency.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders objective evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $7.8 million to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE NOAA-WIDE RESIDENT RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP PROGRAM (RRAP)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

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 $7.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-02-20. End: 2024-08-19.

What is the historical spending pattern for NOAA's Resident Research Associateship Program (RRAP)?

Historical spending data for the RRAP program prior to this specific $7.8 million contract is not detailed in the provided information. However, the duration of this contract (approximately 42 months) and its total value suggest a consistent and significant investment in program management. To understand the full historical pattern, one would need to examine previous contracts for RRAP management, potentially including contracts awarded to the National Academy of Sciences or other entities before February 2021. Analyzing spending trends over multiple years would reveal if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of funding for RRAP administration.

What specific services does the National Academy of Sciences provide under this contract?

Under this contract, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) provides program management support services for NOAA's Resident Research Associateship Program (RRAP). While the data does not itemize every service, typical program management support for such initiatives includes administrative oversight, recruitment and selection processes for associates, logistical support, financial management of stipends and research funds, communication with associates and NOAA mentors, and ensuring compliance with program guidelines. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code (541690) further indicates a broad scope of advisory and support functions related to scientific endeavors.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis to the National Academy of Sciences?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this sole-source designation is not detailed. However, the National Academy of Sciences is a congressionally chartered, non-governmental organization with a long-standing reputation for providing independent, objective advice and managing prestigious scientific programs, including numerous associateship programs for various federal agencies. It is plausible that NOAA determined NAS possesses unique qualifications, expertise, or an established infrastructure essential for managing the RRAP effectively, making a competitive procurement impractical or less advantageous.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type impact cost control and value for taxpayers?

A 'Cost No Fee' (Cost) contract type means the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but the contractor does not receive any additional profit or fee. This contract type is often used when the scope of work is uncertain or when the contractor is performing a service that is in the public interest, such as managing a research program where precise cost estimation is difficult. For taxpayers, this means the government bears the full cost of the contractor's expenses. While it can facilitate essential services, it lacks the built-in incentive for cost efficiency that fixed-price contracts provide. Robust oversight is therefore critical to ensure that costs are reasonable and allowable.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for program management services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for taxpayers due to a lack of competition. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price or the most innovative solutions. This can lead to higher costs than might be achieved through a competitive process. Additionally, sole-source awards can create a perception of favoritism or limit opportunities for other qualified organizations to demonstrate their capabilities. In this case, if the National Academy of Sciences is the only entity capable of managing the RRAP, the risk is mitigated, but this justification requires thorough vetting.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20418

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,844,510

Exercised Options: $7,844,510

Current Obligation: $7,844,510

Actual Outlays: $2,114,710

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline