NOAA awards $5.9M for strategic management services to Savvee Inc., highlighting a need for enterprise program oversight

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,901,169 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Savvee Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-06-20

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR NOAA NWS ENTERPRISE SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.9 million to SAVVEE INC. for work described as: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR NOAA NWS ENTERPRISE SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE Key points: 1. Contract provides essential program management support for NOAA's National Weather Service. 2. Savvee Inc. secured this award through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a sustained need for these services. 4. The award is a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a focus on computer-related services. 6. The contract value is relatively modest, suggesting it addresses a specific program management niche.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.9 million over three years appears reasonable for specialized strategic management services. Benchmarking against similar program management support contracts within NOAA or other federal agencies would provide further context. The pricing structure, likely labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. Without specific details on the labor mix and rates, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific mechanism, a BPA Call, suggests that the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement was also competitively awarded. While the number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, the 'full and open' designation generally promotes a robust competitive environment, which is conducive to price discovery and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms and rates.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is NOAA's National Weather Service, which will receive enhanced program management. Services delivered include strategic planning, enterprise program oversight, and management support. The geographic impact is national, supporting a federal agency with nationwide operations. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled program managers and analysts to support NOAA's mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program management needs are not clearly defined and controlled.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical program management functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring alignment between contractor efforts and NOAA's evolving strategic objectives requires ongoing communication.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The BPA Call mechanism implies a pre-vetted and potentially cost-effective procurement route.
The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management and technical consulting. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in program management, strategic planning, and IT-related support. NOAA's spending in this area is consistent with the need to manage complex, large-scale enterprise programs, such as those supporting weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT and administrative support categories for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, Savvee Inc., is likely a larger entity or that the nature of the services did not lend itself to small business participation in this specific instance. Further analysis of the BPA underlying this call might reveal broader small business utilization goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NOAA's program officials and contracting officers, ensuring adherence to the Statement of Work and performance standards. Accountability measures are built into the contract through performance metrics and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA NWS Enterprise Services Program Management Office
Federal Strategic Planning and Management Consulting Services
IT Program Management Support Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Performance variability based on contractor staffing and expertise.
Risk of misalignment between contractor's strategic advice and agency's operational realities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.9 million to SAVVEE INC.. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR NOAA NWS ENTERPRISE SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAVVEE 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 $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-20. End: 2026-06-19.

What is Savvee Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in program management and IT services?

Savvee Inc. has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the IT and professional services domains. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on past contracts, and their experience with agencies similar to NOAA. Understanding their past performance, especially on contracts involving program management or strategic support, is crucial for assessing their capability to fulfill the requirements of this NOAA NWS contract. Specific details on past performance metrics, such as on-time delivery, quality of work, and customer satisfaction, would provide a more robust evaluation of their suitability.

How does the $5.9 million contract value compare to similar program management support contracts awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies?

The $5.9 million contract value for three years of strategic management services for NOAA's NWS Enterprise Services Program Management Office is a moderate-sized award. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to contracts for similar services (e.g., program management, strategic planning, IT consulting) awarded by agencies like the Department of Commerce, NASA, or other entities with large operational programs. Factors such as contract duration, labor categories involved, and the specific scope of work are critical for a fair comparison. If similar contracts for comparable services and durations are in the multi-million dollar range, this award would be considered within the expected market parameters. Conversely, if comparable contracts are significantly lower or higher, it might indicate either exceptional value or potential over/underpricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Savvee Inc.'s performance under this contract?

While the specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, contracts of this nature typically include metrics focused on the successful execution of program management functions. These could include timely delivery of strategic plans and reports, achievement of program milestones, effective risk management, stakeholder satisfaction, and adherence to budget and schedule for any programs they are overseeing. Performance is often evaluated through regular progress reports, formal reviews, and potentially through a contractor performance assessment reporting system (CPARS). The effectiveness of these KPIs in ensuring value for money depends on their clarity, measurability, and alignment with NOAA's strategic objectives.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the National Weather Service's ability to achieve its strategic goals?

This contract is intended to directly support the National Weather Service's strategic goals by providing essential program management expertise. Effective program management is critical for the successful planning, execution, and oversight of complex initiatives, such as modernizing weather forecasting systems, enhancing data analysis capabilities, or improving operational efficiency. By ensuring robust program management, NOAA can better allocate resources, mitigate risks, and track progress towards its objectives, ultimately contributing to more accurate weather predictions, climate monitoring, and public safety services.

Are there any historical spending patterns or trends related to program management services at NOAA or within the NWS that this contract aligns with?

NOAA, like many large federal agencies, consistently invests in program management and technical support services to manage its extensive operations and research initiatives. Spending on such services is often driven by the lifecycle of major programs, technological upgrades, and evolving scientific or operational requirements. This $5.9 million award for strategic management services likely aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize or sustain critical NWS enterprise systems and programs. Historical data would reveal if NOAA has previously awarded similar contracts, the average duration and value, and the types of contractors typically engaged, providing context for this specific award's place within broader spending trends.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: 1305M423QNWWA0028

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4100 LAFAYETTE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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: $5,938,745

Exercised Options: $5,938,745

Current Obligation: $5,901,169

Actual Outlays: $4,518,591

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305L420ANAAJ0052

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline