NOAA awards $4.9M contract for microwave sounder data quality assessment to The Tomorrow Companies Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,934,711 ($4.9M)

Contractor: THE Tomorrow Companies Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-11-15

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOR THIS PILOT STUDY, NOAA WILL ASSESS THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE SOUNDER OBSERVATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MWS CHARACTERISTICS. NOAA WILL USE PILOT STUDY DATA TO INVESTIGATE THE UTILITY OF MWS PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $4.9 million to THE TOMORROW COMPANIES INC. for work described as: FOR THIS PILOT STUDY, NOAA WILL ASSESS THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE SOUNDER OBSERVATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MWS CHARACTERISTICS. NOAA WILL USE PILOT STUDY DATA TO INVESTIGATE THE UTILITY OF MWS PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY Key points: 1. The contract focuses on assessing the quality and impact of commercial microwave sounder observations. 2. This pilot study aims to determine the utility of Microwave Sounder (MWS) products. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating a defined scope and cost. 4. The period of performance spans over 1.5 years, allowing for thorough data collection and analysis. 5. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 6. The contractor, The Tomorrow Companies Inc., will provide services related to data processing and analysis.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.9 million for a 546-day period appears reasonable for a pilot study focused on data quality assessment and product development. Benchmarking against similar NOAA data analysis contracts is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved. The pricing is likely competitive given the full and open competition.

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.' This typically means that after an initial exclusion of certain sources (perhaps due to specific capabilities or prior relationships), the opportunity was then opened to all responsible sources. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and the scientific community, who will gain improved understanding of weather and climate data. The services delivered include data quality assessment, impact analysis, and product development for microwave sounder observations. The geographic impact is national, as improved weather data benefits all regions of the United States. The contract supports the development of advanced meteorological tools, potentially leading to better weather forecasting and climate monitoring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific exclusion of sources prior to full and open competition warrants further understanding to ensure no potential bidders were unfairly disadvantaged.
The reliance on commercial microwave sounder observations may introduce data quality variability that needs robust management.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition indicates a commitment to leveraging the broadest possible market for services.
The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
The pilot study approach allows for focused evaluation before potentially larger investments.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' sector, specifically focusing on data analysis and product development for meteorological applications. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a high demand for specialized data processing capabilities. NOAA's spending in this area supports its mission-critical functions of weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and environmental research. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the data analysis and the scale of the pilot study.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the nature of the services (data processing and analysis for a specialized scientific application), it is possible that the prime contractor may engage subcontractors with relevant expertise. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures will be tied to the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Weather and Climate Data Services
Satellite Data Processing and Analysis
Commercial Data Integration Programs
Atmospheric Sounding Technology Research

Risk Flags

Potential data quality inconsistencies from commercial sources.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical pilot study.
Limited public information on the 'exclusion of sources' phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $4.9 million to THE TOMORROW COMPANIES INC.. FOR THIS PILOT STUDY, NOAA WILL ASSESS THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL MICROWAVE SOUNDER OBSERVATIONS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MWS CHARACTERISTICS. NOAA WILL USE PILOT STUDY DATA TO INVESTIGATE THE UTILITY OF MWS PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE TOMORROW COMPANIES 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 $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-15. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific track record of The Tomorrow Companies Inc. in performing similar data quality assessment and meteorological data analysis contracts for federal agencies?

Information regarding The Tomorrow Companies Inc.'s specific track record with federal agencies for similar data quality assessment and meteorological data analysis contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require accessing contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to identify past performance on relevant contracts. Key indicators to examine would include contract values, performance ratings, and the types of services rendered. Understanding their experience with NOAA or other agencies involved in atmospheric science would be particularly relevant. Without this specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability based on past performance alone, though their selection implies they met the agency's requirements for this specific procurement.

How does the $4.9 million contract value compare to similar NOAA pilot studies for data quality assessment?

Comparing the $4.9 million contract value for this pilot study to similar NOAA initiatives requires access to historical data on comparable projects. Pilot studies can vary significantly in scope, duration, and complexity, making direct comparisons challenging. However, for a project spanning approximately 1.5 years and involving the assessment of commercial satellite data quality and product development, this value appears within a reasonable range for specialized scientific and data processing services. Factors influencing cost include the number of data sources, the sophistication of analytical tools required, and the expertise of the contractor. A more precise benchmark would necessitate a detailed analysis of NOAA's past solicitations and awards for similar data-focused pilot programs.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on commercial microwave sounder observations for critical weather data?

The primary risks associated with relying on commercial microwave sounder observations include potential variability in data quality, calibration inconsistencies, and data access limitations. Unlike government-owned satellites, commercial data providers may have different standards for sensor calibration, maintenance, and data continuity. There's also a risk of service disruptions or changes in data policy by the commercial vendor. Furthermore, the 'exclusion of sources' in the procurement process, even if followed by full and open competition, might indicate a perceived gap in readily available, high-quality commercial data, suggesting inherent challenges. NOAA's pilot study aims to mitigate these risks by rigorously assessing the quality and impact of these observations before full integration.

What is the expected effectiveness of this pilot study in improving NOAA's determination of Microwave Sounder (MWS) characteristics?

The expected effectiveness of this pilot study hinges on its ability to provide a comprehensive assessment of the quality and impact of available commercial microwave sounder observations. By analyzing this data, NOAA aims to understand its utility for determining MWS characteristics, which are crucial for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The study's success will be measured by the clarity of its findings regarding data accuracy, reliability, and its contribution to improving MWS product development. If the pilot demonstrates significant value and identifies robust methods for data utilization, it could lead to more accurate weather predictions and enhanced climate research capabilities for NOAA.

What are the historical spending patterns of NOAA on data processing and analysis services over the last five years?

Analyzing NOAA's historical spending patterns on data processing and analysis services over the last five years would reveal trends in its investment in IT infrastructure, cloud services, and specialized analytical support. This contract, valued at $4.9 million, falls under NAICS code 518210 (Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services). A review of NOAA's procurement data would likely show a consistent or increasing trend in spending within this category, driven by the growing volume of environmental data from satellites, sensors, and models, and the need for advanced analytics to support its scientific mission. Specific figures would require querying federal procurement databases for NOAA's obligations within this NAICS code over the specified period.

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: 1332KP24R0025

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9 CHANNEL CTR ST FL 7, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,934,711

Exercised Options: $4,934,711

Current Obligation: $4,934,711

Actual Outlays: $3,401,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline