NOAA awards $11.3M to Techno-Sciences for satellite tracking system maintenance and upgrades

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,314,949 ($11.3M)

Contractor: Techno-Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-10-29

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,797 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EO14042 SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE AIDED TRACKING (SARSAT) MEDIUM EARTH ORBITING LOCAL USER TERMINALS (MEOLUT) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, FLORIDA MEOLUT REFURBISHMENT, AND NEW FLORIDA PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA

Place of Performance

Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $11.3 million to TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: EO14042 SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE AIDED TRACKING (SARSAT) MEDIUM EARTH ORBITING LOCAL USER TERMINALS (MEOLUT) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, FLORIDA MEOLUT REFURBISHMENT, AND NEW FLORIDA PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost savings through competition. 3. Long-term contract (nearly 5 years) suggests a need for sustained support. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. Contract value is moderate, but essential for public safety infrastructure. 6. Geographic focus on Florida MEOLUT site indicates specific operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.3 million over nearly five years for operations and maintenance of a critical satellite tracking system appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the technology. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in managing cost certainty. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the pricing reflects optimal value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning Techno-Sciences, LLC was the only vendor considered. This approach bypasses the opportunity for price discovery and innovation that typically arises from a competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they often result in higher prices for the government compared to competed contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential satellite tracking services. Without competing offers, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer cost efficiencies.

Public Impact

Benefits individuals in distress by ensuring the continued operation of the SARSAT system, which aids in locating them. Supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) mission to provide environmental data and services. Ensures the operational readiness of the Florida MEOLUT site, a key component of the national SARSAT infrastructure. Maintains critical technology for search and rescue operations, potentially saving lives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential cost savings.
Long contract duration may not account for technological obsolescence or evolving needs.
Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification process.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract addresses essential public safety infrastructure (SARSAT).
Techno-Sciences, LLC likely possesses specialized knowledge for this system.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Telecommunications and Satellite Services sector, specifically supporting critical infrastructure for search and rescue operations. The market for specialized satellite ground station operations and maintenance is often niche, with a limited number of qualified providers. Spending in this area is driven by national security and public safety requirements, ensuring the reliability of communication and tracking systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The nature of specialized satellite operations and maintenance often favors larger, established firms with specific technical expertise, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller entities in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce. As a sole-source award, the justification and terms would be subject to internal agency review and potentially oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if protested. Transparency regarding the sole-source justification and performance metrics would be key to assessing accountability.

Related Government Programs

Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT)
NOAA Satellite Operations
National Public Safety Telecommunications

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for unbenchmarked pricing.
Long-term contract duration may not reflect evolving technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $11.3 million to TECHNO-SCIENCES, LLC. EO14042 SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE AIDED TRACKING (SARSAT) MEDIUM EARTH ORBITING LOCAL USER TERMINALS (MEOLUT) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, FLORIDA MEOLUT REFURBISHMENT, AND NEW FLORIDA PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNO-SCIENCES, 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 $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-29. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific technical expertise Techno-Sciences, LLC brings to the SARSAT system operations and maintenance?

Techno-Sciences, LLC is a specialized provider of satellite communications and ground systems. For the SARSAT system, their expertise likely includes the operation, maintenance, and refurbishment of Medium Earth Orbiting Local User Terminals (MEOLUT), which are crucial for receiving and processing distress signals from satellites. This involves managing complex antenna systems, signal processing equipment, and ensuring the continuous availability of these facilities. Their experience with similar government satellite systems and their established role in supporting the SARSAT program suggest a deep understanding of its unique technical requirements and operational demands.

How does the $11.3 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar SARSAT maintenance contracts?

Without access to specific historical contract data for SARSAT MEOLUT operations and maintenance, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the value of $11.3 million over nearly five years (approximately $2.26 million annually) for a critical, specialized system suggests a moderate investment. Given the sole-source nature of this award, it is difficult to ascertain if this represents optimal value. Typically, competitive procurements for similar specialized technical services might yield lower per-unit costs or more comprehensive service inclusions. Further investigation into NOAA's historical spending patterns for this specific system or comparable satellite ground station support would be necessary for a robust benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for the SARSAT system?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, Techno-Sciences, LLC may not have the same incentive to offer the most cost-effective solutions. Another risk is the potential for complacency in performance, as there is no direct competitor to benchmark against. Furthermore, the government has limited leverage to negotiate better terms or pricing over the contract's duration. Finally, if the contractor's performance falters, finding and transitioning to a new provider on short notice could be difficult and costly due to the specialized nature of the SARSAT system.

What is the expected impact of the Florida MEOLUT refurbishment and new phased array antenna on the SARSAT system's effectiveness?

The refurbishment of the Florida MEOLUT and the installation of a new phased array antenna are expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness and reliability of the SARSAT system. MEOLUTs are critical nodes that receive signals from satellites relaying distress alerts. Upgrading this infrastructure likely improves signal reception sensitivity, processing speed, and overall system uptime. A phased array antenna, in particular, can offer more agile and efficient signal tracking and management compared to traditional antennas. These improvements are crucial for reducing the time it takes to detect and locate individuals in distress, thereby enhancing the success rate of search and rescue operations.

Are there any performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to ensure service quality?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established within the contract. However, for a critical system like SARSAT, it is highly probable that such metrics are included to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness. These would likely focus on aspects such as system availability (uptime), signal detection accuracy, data processing latency, and response times for alerts. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that meeting these defined performance standards would be a prerequisite for full payment, and failure to do so could incur penalties or lead to contract termination.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Satellite Telecommunications › Satellite Telecommunications

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Techno-Sciences, Inc.

Address: 4296 FORBES BLVD, LANHAM, MD, 20706

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,314,949

Exercised Options: $11,314,949

Current Obligation: $11,314,949

Actual Outlays: $4,453,916

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline