NSF awards $4.37M contract for Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee support to UIC Science, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,365,468 ($4.4M)

Contractor: UIC Science, LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2023-04-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,521 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERAGENCY ARCTIC RESEARCH POLICY COMMITTEE (IARPC) SECRETARIAT.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $4.4 million to UIC SCIENCE, LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERAGENCY ARCTIC RESEARCH POLICY COMMITTEE (IARPC) SECRETARIAT. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Secretariat. 2. The contract duration is over four years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Awarded as a definitive contract under labor hours, suggesting flexibility in service delivery. 4. The procurement was not open for competition, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for a multi-year federal service contract. 7. The primary agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.37 million over approximately four years for professional services is not exceptionally high but requires scrutiny due to the lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar support contracts for interagency committees or research policy bodies would be beneficial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing represents excellent value for money. The labor hours pricing structure allows for flexibility but can also lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the agency's needs, or in specific circumstances like follow-on work to a previous sole-source award. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was absent, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of the lowest possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The justification for the sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Secretariat, which receives crucial operational and administrative support. Services delivered likely include coordination, communication, meeting support, and administrative functions to facilitate the IARPC's mission. The geographic impact is national, focusing on federal policy and research coordination related to the Arctic. Workforce implications are primarily for the contractor, UIC Science, LLC, which will provide the personnel to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards require strong justification to ensure necessity and fair pricing.
Labor hours contract type can lead to cost escalation if not carefully monitored.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a critical interagency body focused on Arctic research policy.
Long-term contract (over 4 years) suggests stability and continuity of essential services.
Award to UIC Science, LLC, indicates a potentially established relationship or specific capability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically supporting the coordination and policy functions of the IARPC. This sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of expertise. The value of $4.37 million is moderate for a multi-year federal contract in this space. Comparable spending might be found in contracts supporting other interagency task forces, scientific advisory committees, or policy coordination bodies within various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The sole-source nature of the award further reduces the likelihood of direct small business participation through set-asides. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless UIC Science, LLC proactively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will primarily be conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the awarding agency. Accountability measures will be tied to the terms and conditions of the definitive contract, including performance standards and deliverables. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract award data is publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Arctic Research Policy
Interagency Coordination
Federal Scientific Advisory Committees
National Science Foundation Programs
Professional and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns with labor hours contract.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $4.4 million to UIC SCIENCE, LLC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERAGENCY ARCTIC RESEARCH POLICY COMMITTEE (IARPC) SECRETARIAT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UIC SCIENCE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for contracting without full and open competition. Common justifications include that only one responsible source is available, or that the agency's needs can only be met by a specific source. For this contract, the justification would likely stem from unique capabilities, prior performance, or specific requirements of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Secretariat that only UIC Science, LLC could fulfill. A detailed justification document, often found in agency procurement files, would elaborate on these reasons, potentially citing specific technical expertise, proprietary knowledge, or the need for continuity of services if UIC Science, LLC was the incumbent contractor.

How does the $4.37 million contract value compare to similar support contracts for interagency bodies?

Comparing the $4.37 million contract value for the IARPC Secretariat support requires context regarding the scope and duration. This contract spans approximately four years (April 2023 to May 2027), making the annual value around $1.09 million. This figure is moderate for federal support contracts. Contracts for supporting high-level interagency task forces or policy committees can range significantly, from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the complexity of the issues addressed, the number of participating agencies, and the level of administrative and analytical support required. Without specific details on the services provided by UIC Science, LLC beyond general 'support,' a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the value appears reasonable for sustained, professional support to a dedicated interagency committee.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for these services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government cannot be assured it is receiving the best possible price. Another risk is a potential decrease in service quality or innovation, as the contractor may face less pressure to perform exceptionally compared to a competitive environment. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other capable businesses. Agencies mitigate these risks by conducting thorough price analyses, negotiating aggressively, and ensuring the sole-source justification is robust and well-documented, demonstrating that no other source can meet the requirement.

What is the expected impact of this contract on Arctic research policy and coordination?

This contract is expected to have a direct positive impact on Arctic research policy and coordination by ensuring the effective functioning of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Secretariat. The Secretariat plays a vital role in facilitating collaboration among federal agencies involved in Arctic research, implementing the Arctic Research Plan, and coordinating research activities. By providing essential administrative, logistical, and potentially analytical support, UIC Science, LLC will enable the IARPC to operate more efficiently. This includes supporting meetings, managing communications, disseminating information, and assisting in the development and execution of research strategies. Ultimately, a well-supported Secretariat contributes to more cohesive, effective, and impactful federal efforts in understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities in the Arctic region.

What is the track record of UIC Science, LLC in supporting federal research or policy initiatives?

UIC Science, LLC, is a subsidiary of URS Federal Services, which is part of AECOM. This lineage suggests a significant corporate backing and a broad range of experience in government contracting. While specific details on UIC Science, LLC's direct track record with the IARPC or similar bodies are not provided in the summary data, companies under the AECOM umbrella have extensive experience supporting federal agencies across various scientific, technical, and operational domains. This includes work in environmental science, research support, and program management. Given the nature of this contract, it is likely that UIC Science, LLC possesses relevant expertise in scientific program support and interagency coordination, potentially building on prior successful engagements with federal research institutions or policy-making bodies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 49100423R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: BLDG. 848 NARL, BARROW, AK, 99723

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,422,955

Exercised Options: $4,365,468

Current Obligation: $4,365,468

Actual Outlays: $3,265,266

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline