GSA awards $4.6M contract to Noblis, Inc. for sustainable technology evaluation and demonstration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,618,490 ($4.6M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-07-29

End Date: 2025-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,522 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DOD SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4.6 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: DOD SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract focuses on evaluating and demonstrating sustainable technologies, aligning with federal environmental goals. 2. Noblis, Inc. has a track record in scientific and engineering services, suggesting relevant expertise. 3. The contract duration of 1522 days indicates a long-term commitment to this technology area. 4. Awarded by GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, this contract leverages a central procurement body. 5. The use of 'Labor Hours' pricing suggests flexibility but requires careful monitoring of effort. 6. This award falls under Engineering Services, a broad category with diverse applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.6 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for specialized technology evaluation services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for R&D support and technical consulting within the federal space suggests this is within a typical range. The 'Labor Hours' pricing mechanism, while common, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient use of resources and prevent cost overruns. Without specific details on the scope of work and the labor mix, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall investment aligns with the strategic importance of sustainable technology.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was sought. This approach typically leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective and technically sound solutions for evaluating sustainable technologies.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies seeking to adopt more sustainable technologies, leading to reduced environmental impact. Services delivered include the evaluation and demonstration of innovative technologies, potentially paving the way for wider adoption. The geographic impact is national, as the findings and demonstrated technologies can inform federal procurement and operations across all agencies. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized expertise in sustainability and technology assessment within government and contractor teams.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the 'Labor Hours' contract type if not tightly managed.
Ensuring the demonstrated technologies are truly scalable and cost-effective for federal adoption requires rigorous evaluation.
Dependence on Noblis, Inc.'s expertise means performance issues could delay critical sustainability initiatives.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Noblis, Inc. has a strong reputation in engineering and scientific services, indicating a capable contractor.
The contract's focus on sustainable technology aligns with critical national and global environmental objectives.

Sector Analysis

The federal government is increasingly prioritizing sustainability across its operations, driving demand for services related to evaluating and implementing green technologies. This contract fits within the broader engineering and professional services sector, which supports various government initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area are difficult to pinpoint due to the specialized nature of 'sustainable technology evaluation,' but general engineering services contracts can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration. This $4.6 million award represents a focused investment in a critical area.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this particular award. However, the prime contractor, Noblis, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors if their specialized services are required for specific aspects of the technology evaluation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial accountability. As this is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight would likely be managed by GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DOD SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Federal Green Purchasing Programs
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Initiatives
Department of Energy (DOE) Technology Research

Risk Flags

Labor Hours pricing requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Scope definition is critical for effective technology evaluation.
Ensuring contractor expertise aligns with evolving sustainability tech is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4.6 million to NOBLIS, INC.. DOD SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-29. End: 2025-09-28.

What is Noblis, Inc.'s track record with similar federal technology evaluation contracts?

Noblis, Inc. has a significant history of performing scientific, engineering, and technology-focused services for various federal agencies. While specific details on past 'sustainable technology evaluation' contracts are not immediately available in this data snippet, their broader portfolio includes work in areas like advanced research, systems engineering, and data analytics. They have supported agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Department of Homeland Security on complex technical challenges. Their experience suggests a capacity to handle the technical rigor required for evaluating new technologies. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations and contract history for direct relevance to sustainability and technology demonstration.

How does the $4.6 million value compare to similar federal contracts for technology demonstration?

The $4.6 million contract value over approximately four years (1522 days) for the 'DOD SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM' appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal technology services. Contracts focused on research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) can vary widely, but this amount suggests a focused effort on a specific set of sustainable technologies rather than a broad, agency-wide initiative. For comparison, smaller-scale pilot programs or specific technology assessments might range from a few hundred thousand to a couple of million dollars, while larger, multi-year R&D programs could reach tens or hundreds of millions. This contract's value suggests a significant but targeted investment.

What are the primary risks associated with this 'Labor Hours' contract type?

The primary risk associated with a 'Labor Hours' contract type is the potential for cost overruns if the level of effort is not carefully managed and controlled. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the total cost is directly tied to the hours worked by contractor personnel. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure that the hours billed are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to the contract's objectives. Potential risks include inefficient work practices, scope creep where additional tasks are performed without formal modification, and difficulty in accurately forecasting the final cost. Mitigation strategies involve detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, and vigilant monitoring of labor hours and associated costs.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be for this type of specialized service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring the government obtains the best value, especially for specialized services like technology evaluation. It allows a wide range of qualified vendors to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment that drives innovation and competitive pricing. For this contract, it increases the likelihood that the government will find a contractor with the precise expertise needed to evaluate sustainable technologies effectively and at a reasonable cost. The main challenge is ensuring the solicitation clearly defines the technical requirements and evaluation criteria to attract the right bidders and allow for meaningful comparison.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) by the GSA?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of engineering services, supporting a vast array of federal projects and initiatives across different agencies. Historical spending patterns for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) by GSA are substantial, reflecting the agency's role in facilitating government-wide procurement. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on agency needs and budget allocations, GSA consistently ranks among the top federal agencies awarding contracts in this category. Their spending often supports infrastructure projects, IT modernization, facility management, and specialized technical consulting, including areas related to environmental and sustainable technologies, as seen in this award.

What are the potential long-term implications of this contract for federal sustainability goals?

This contract has the potential to significantly advance federal sustainability goals by identifying and validating technologies that can reduce the government's environmental footprint. By evaluating and demonstrating these solutions, the program can provide the data and confidence needed for wider adoption across federal agencies. Successful outcomes could lead to cost savings through increased energy efficiency, reduced waste, and lower emissions. Furthermore, it can help establish best practices and standards for sustainable technology integration within the federal sector, influencing future procurement decisions and fostering innovation in the green technology market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Natural Resources and Environment R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFAA21Q0028

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2002 EDMUND HALLEY DRIVE, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,666,740

Exercised Options: $4,666,740

Current Obligation: $4,618,490

Actual Outlays: $-913

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU143

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline