NOBLIS, INC. Awarded $12.3M for Engineering Support Services by NOAA, Sole-Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,295,525 ($12.3M)
Contractor: Noblis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2005-09-22
End Date: 2007-09-30
Contract Duration: 738 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $12.3 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to NOBLIS, INC. for $12.3M. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). 3. Contract was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. The sector is professional services, with significant government spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The awarded amount of $12.3M needs comparison against similar services to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Lack of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid more due to the lack of competition. The specific engineering support services provided are not detailed, limiting public understanding of the expenditure. Long contract duration (738 days) suggests ongoing need, but the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of detailed service description
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a single vendor, potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Government spending in this area is substantial, and competitive bidding is typically expected to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award suggests a need for robust oversight to ensure the services are necessary and priced appropriately. Accountability for cost management under a CPFF contract is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending if not closely monitored.
- Broad service category lacks specificity, making value assessment difficult.
- Long contract duration without clear justification for sole-sourcing raises concerns.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, md, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $12.3 million to NOBLIS, INC.. ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, 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 $12.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-22. End: 2007-09-30.
What specific engineering support services were provided under this contract, and how do they align with NOAA's mission?
The contract description 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is broad. Detailed documentation would be required to understand the precise nature of the engineering support. This information is crucial for assessing the necessity and relevance of the expenditure to NOAA's operational goals and scientific objectives.
What justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
Sole-source awards typically require a strong justification, such as the unavailability of other sources or a unique capability possessed by the contractor. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity of bypassing the competitive process and the potential impact on cost-effectiveness for the government.
How was the fixed fee determined in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, and was it benchmarked against industry standards?
The determination of the fixed fee is critical for ensuring fair profit for the contractor while protecting taxpayer interests. Benchmarking this fee against similar contracts or industry standards would provide insight into whether the government secured a reasonable price for the services rendered.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,362,162
Exercised Options: $12,362,162
Current Obligation: $12,295,525
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-22
Current End Date: 2007-09-30
Potential End Date: 2007-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-11-25
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