NOAA awards $5.4M task order to INNOVIM, LLC for satellite domain R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,395,090 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Innovim, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-12-12

End Date: 2026-12-11

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TASK ORDER AWARD SWO ON-SITE SPACE SCIENCE PROTECH IDIQ SATELLITE DOMAIN

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.4 million to INNOVIM, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD SWO ON-SITE SPACE SCIENCE PROTECH IDIQ SATELLITE DOMAIN Key points: 1. Contract value represents a modest investment within the broader federal R&D landscape. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance is located in Maryland, a hub for federal contracting and aerospace activities. 4. The task order is for firm-fixed-price, indicating a defined scope and payment structure. 5. The duration of the contract is three years, aligning with typical project timelines for R&D.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.4 million over three years is relatively small in the context of federal R&D spending. Benchmarking against similar contracts for satellite domain research and development is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, which can be a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined and achievable within the budget. The number of bids received (2) is on the lower side for full and open competition, which might warrant a closer look at pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, certain sources were initially excluded. Two bids were received for this task order. A low number of bidders in a full and open competition can sometimes indicate a specialized niche, high barriers to entry, or potentially less aggressive pricing than if there were more competitors vying for the work. However, it still represents a more competitive environment than a sole-source award.

Taxpayer Impact: While two bidders are fewer than ideal for maximizing price competition, the 'full and open' nature ensures that multiple qualified companies had the opportunity to bid, potentially leading to a more reasonable price for taxpayers than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which will receive research and development services. The services delivered are related to the satellite domain, likely contributing to advancements in space-based observation and data analysis. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, supporting local technical expertise and employment. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical workforce within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders) could potentially lead to higher prices than a more robustly competed contract.
The specific nature of 'satellite domain' R&D might involve complex technical risks that are not fully detailed.
The exclusion of sources in the 'full and open' competition warrants understanding the rationale to ensure no qualified vendors were unfairly excluded.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, providing a baseline level of market vetting.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and manage budget predictability.
The contractor, INNOVIM, LLC, is receiving a task order under an IDIQ, suggesting prior vetting and a relationship.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering related to the satellite domain. This is a critical area for agencies like NOAA, which rely heavily on satellite technology for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research. The market for satellite R&D is highly specialized, often involving a mix of large aerospace companies and smaller, niche research firms. Federal spending in this area supports technological innovation and national capabilities in space.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). INNOVIM, LLC's size status is not provided, but the award itself does not appear to be a direct small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in this specialized R&D effort.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under NOAA's program management and contracting offices. As a task order under an IDIQ, the parent contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed project-level oversight reports are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Satellite Operations
NASA Research and Development Contracts
DoD Space Domain Awareness Programs
National Science Foundation Research Grants

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Cost Overruns (inherent in FFP R&D)
Technical Complexity of Satellite Domain

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.4 million to INNOVIM, LLC. TASK ORDER AWARD SWO ON-SITE SPACE SCIENCE PROTECH IDIQ SATELLITE DOMAIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVIM, 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 $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-12. End: 2026-12-11.

What is INNOVIM, LLC's track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly in the satellite domain?

Assessing INNOVIM, LLC's track record requires a deeper dive into federal procurement databases beyond the provided data. While this award indicates they are capable of performing R&D in the satellite domain, their history with similar contracts, past performance evaluations, and any prior issues or successes would provide crucial context. Information on their experience with NOAA or other agencies involved in space science would be particularly relevant. Without this historical data, it's difficult to fully gauge their reliability and expertise for this specific task order, though receiving an award suggests they met initial qualification criteria.

How does the $5.4 million value compare to similar satellite domain R&D task orders awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

The $5.4 million value for this three-year task order is modest within the broader federal R&D landscape, especially for specialized areas like satellite technology. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against other task orders for similar services (e.g., satellite data analysis, sensor development, orbital mechanics research) awarded by NOAA, NASA, or the Department of Defense. Factors like the specific technical scope, duration, and number of bidders significantly influence contract value. A lower value might indicate a focused scope or a more competitive pricing environment, while a higher value could reflect greater complexity or fewer competitors.

What are the key performance risks associated with this satellite domain R&D contract?

Key performance risks for satellite domain R&D contracts often include technical challenges, schedule delays, and cost overruns. Specifically, this contract may face risks related to the complexity of satellite systems, the novelty of the research, potential integration issues with existing infrastructure, and the accuracy of scientific modeling. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, cost overruns due to unforeseen technical hurdles could strain the contractor's resources. Schedule delays might arise from the long lead times often associated with space-related hardware or software development, or from difficulties in obtaining necessary data or approvals. The limited competition (2 bidders) could also pose a risk if the chosen contractor underperforms, as replacement options might be limited or costly.

What does the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code imply about the services rendered?

The NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' indicates that the core services involve systematic study and investigation to discover or create new knowledge and understanding. For this contract, it specifically points to R&D activities within the physical sciences (like atmospheric physics, astrophysics) and engineering disciplines relevant to satellites and their operation or data utilization. This could encompass areas such as developing new sensor technologies, improving satellite communication systems, advancing data processing algorithms for satellite imagery, or conducting theoretical research related to space environments and their impact on technology.

What is the significance of the contract type being 'FIRM FIXED PRICE' for this R&D effort?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined, fixed price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. For R&D, this can be advantageous for the government as it provides cost certainty and shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. However, it requires a very well-defined scope of work upfront. If the R&D effort encounters unforeseen technical challenges or requires significant scope adjustments, the contractor might be incentivized to cut corners to stay within budget, potentially impacting quality or innovation. Conversely, it encourages efficiency and careful planning by the contractor.

How does the geographic location (Maryland) influence this contract and its execution?

Maryland is a significant hub for federal contracting, particularly in the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors, hosting numerous government agencies and private companies. Locating the task order's performance in Maryland likely provides INNOVIM, LLC with access to a skilled workforce experienced in satellite technology and R&D, as well as proximity to NOAA facilities or related research institutions. This geographic concentration can foster collaboration and streamline communication between the contractor and the government client. It also means the contract contributes to the local economy through employment and business activity within a region already heavily invested in this technological domain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: NE-EO0000-23-00188

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6401 GOLDEN TRIANGLE DR, GREENBELT, MD, 20770

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,395,090

Exercised Options: $5,395,090

Current Obligation: $5,395,090

Actual Outlays: $3,520,362

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M423DNEEA0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline