NOAA Spends $11.5M on Ceilometers from Vaisala Inc. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,513,652 ($11.5M)
Contractor: Vaisala Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2007-01-05
End Date: 2007-01-20
Contract Duration: 15 days
Daily Burn Rate: $767.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CEILOMETERS
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $11.5 million to VAISALA INC for work described as: CEILOMETERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for $11.5M for ceilometers. 2. Vaisala Inc. is the sole contractor. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The contract falls under 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing'. 5. The contract duration was 15 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.5M for 3 units of ceilometers appears high given the short duration and the benchmark price. Further analysis of unit specifications and market rates is needed for a precise valuation.
Cost Per Unit: $3,837,884
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', indicating a competitive process but with specific source exclusions. The price discovery mechanism is influenced by this method, potentially impacting the final negotiated price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers funded $11.5M for these specialized meteorological devices, with the value dependent on the necessity and performance of the acquired ceilometers.
Public Impact
Ensures critical weather monitoring capabilities for NOAA. Supports meteorological research and forecasting. Provides data for aviation safety and climate studies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-unit cost.
- Short contract duration for significant expenditure.
- Limited information on specific device capabilities.
Positive Signals
- Utilized full and open competition.
- Procurement supports essential NOAA functions.
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing' sector encompasses a wide range of specialized equipment. Benchmarking spending in this niche requires detailed comparison of similar meteorological instruments and their associated costs.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, suggesting that large businesses were likely the primary participants in the competition.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract would involve ensuring the delivered ceilometers meet NOAA's specifications and performance requirements, and that the pricing was justified through the competitive process.
Related Government Programs
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- High per-unit cost.
- Short contract duration.
- Potential impact of source exclusion on price.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications.
Tags
other-measuring-and-controlling-device-m, department-of-commerce, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $11.5 million to VAISALA INC. CEILOMETERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VAISALA 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 $11.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-01-05. End: 2007-01-20.
What specific technical capabilities differentiate these ceilometers to justify the high per-unit cost?
The high per-unit cost of $3.8M necessitates a detailed examination of the ceilometers' technical specifications. This includes factors like measurement range, accuracy, resolution, durability in extreme weather conditions, data processing capabilities, and integration with existing NOAA systems. Without this information, it's difficult to ascertain if the price reflects advanced features or market premiums.
How did the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause impact the competitive pricing for these ceilometers?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that while the competition was open, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded. The impact on pricing depends on who was excluded and why. If highly competitive vendors were excluded, it could have led to a higher final price than if all capable sources had participated.
What is the long-term operational value and effectiveness of these ceilometers for NOAA's mission?
The long-term value hinges on the ceilometers' reliability, accuracy, and contribution to NOAA's core missions like weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and aviation safety. Effectiveness is measured by how well they perform over their lifespan, the quality of data they provide, and their integration into operational workflows, ultimately impacting the accuracy and timeliness of critical environmental information.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10 D GILL ST, WOBURN, MA, 05
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,368,934
Exercised Options: $11,513,652
Current Obligation: $11,513,652
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-01-05
Current End Date: 2007-01-20
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-08-17
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