NOAA's $22.3M R&D Contract with Global Science & Technology Faces Scrutiny Over Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,280,890 ($22.3M)
Contractor: Global Science & Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2012-07-20
End Date: 2018-06-20
Contract Duration: 2,161 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67217
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $22.3 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Global Science & Technology, LLC for R&D services is substantial at $22.3 million. 2. The contract type is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', indicating a specific, potentially limited, competition. 3. The duration of the contract is over 5 years, suggesting a long-term engagement. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector is broad and can involve significant innovation. 5. The use of 'Time and Materials' pricing could lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $22.3 million for R&D services over six years appears within a reasonable range for specialized research. However, without specific benchmarks for similar NOAA R&D task orders, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while open to all, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially limiting the competitive pool and impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The total value of $22.3 million represents taxpayer funds allocated to R&D. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.
Public Impact
Taxpayers are funding advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The contract supports technological advancements that could have future economic or societal benefits. The duration and value indicate a significant investment in scientific exploration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Limited competition may not have yielded the lowest possible price.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports critical R&D for NOAA.
- Long-term engagement allows for sustained research efforts.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be highly variable and difficult to benchmark due to the specialized nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor did not subcontract to small businesses, potentially missing opportunities to foster small business growth.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method warrants further oversight to ensure fairness and that the exclusion criteria were justified and did not unduly restrict competition, thereby impacting value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition impacting value.
- Risk of cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' needs verification.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-commerce, ks, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $22.3 million to GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GLOBAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 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 $22.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-07-20. End: 2018-06-20.
Was the exclusion of sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method justified and did it lead to a fair price?
The justification for excluding specific sources needs to be thoroughly reviewed. If the exclusion was not well-founded, it could have limited the competitive landscape, potentially leading to a higher price than what could have been achieved through broader competition. A review of the procurement documentation is necessary to assess the rationale and its impact on price discovery.
What is the risk of cost overruns given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this R&D task order?
Time and Materials contracts carry inherent risks of cost overruns, especially in R&D where project scope can evolve. Without clear cost ceilings or robust oversight, the contractor may incur higher labor hours or material costs than anticipated. NOAA's active monitoring of labor hours, material usage, and project milestones is crucial to mitigate this risk.
How effective has Global Science & Technology, LLC been in delivering R&D outcomes under this contract?
Assessing the effectiveness requires reviewing performance metrics, deliverables, and NOAA's satisfaction with the R&D outcomes. While the contract value and duration suggest a significant investment, the actual impact and success of the research are contingent on the quality of work performed and its contribution to NOAA's mission objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Community and Regional Development R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7855 WALKER DRIVE, STE 200, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,088,832
Exercised Options: $24,088,832
Current Obligation: $22,280,890
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCDG133E10CQ0034
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-07-20
Current End Date: 2018-06-20
Potential End Date: 2018-06-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-10-28
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