NOAA Awards $7.4M Contract to Slingshot Aerospace for TRACSS Presentation Layer

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,421,392 ($7.4M)

Contractor: Slingshot Aerospace Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-11-25

End Date: 2027-02-24

Contract Duration: 821 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PRESENTATION LAYER OF THE TRACSS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $7.4 million to SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE INC for work described as: PRESENTATION LAYER OF THE TRACSS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Slingshot Aerospace Inc. for $7.42 million. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, with an estimated completion date of February 2027. 4. The sector is IT, specifically Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services. 5. No small business participation is indicated.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award value of $7.42 million over approximately 2.75 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts would be necessary for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was intended. However, the exclusion of sources might limit the full scope of potential bidders and potentially impact price discovery. Further details on the exclusion justification are needed.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award aims to secure fair pricing, but the specific exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure optimal taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Enhances the presentation layer of the TRACSS system, potentially improving user access to critical data. Supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) mission. The contract duration extends into 2027, indicating a long-term need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases cost risk.
Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition was utilized.
Contract supports a critical government agency (NOAA).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting services. The annual value of approximately $2.7 million is within the typical range for specialized IT infrastructure support for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger entity, and there is no subcontracting plan for small businesses evident in the provided details.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial given the Time and Materials contract type to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and that the scope of work is strictly adhered to. NOAA's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
Potential for limited competition.
Lack of small business participation.
Need for detailed performance metrics.
Justification for source exclusion requires review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $7.4 million to SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE INC. PRESENTATION LAYER OF THE TRACSS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE 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 $7.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-25. End: 2027-02-24.

What was the justification for excluding specific sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The justification for excluding sources is critical for understanding the true level of competition. If the exclusion was based on specific capabilities not widely available, it might be warranted. However, if it arbitrarily limited the bidder pool, it could have led to a higher price than achievable through unrestricted full and open competition. A review of the source selection documentation is needed.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for the TRACSS presentation layer, and how will their successful completion be measured?

Understanding the specific deliverables and performance metrics is essential for assessing the value and effectiveness of this contract. Without clear objectives and measurable outcomes, it's difficult to determine if NOAA is receiving the intended benefits. The contract should outline key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, response times, user satisfaction, and data accuracy.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and prevent scope creep for the TRACSS presentation layer development?

Time and Materials contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation. Effective oversight requires clearly defined labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, strict monitoring of hours worked, and robust change control processes to manage any scope adjustments. NOAA must actively manage the T&M aspects to ensure the $7.42 million ceiling is not exceeded without clear justification and benefit.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1305M424R0047

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 841 APOLLO ST STE 350, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,344,280

Exercised Options: $7,421,392

Current Obligation: $7,421,392

Actual Outlays: $5,069,723

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline