Navy awards $6M METOC SACS support contract to Scientific Research Corporation for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,058,130 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-03-07

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: METOC SACS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HANAHAN, BERKELEY County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29410

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.1 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: METOC SACS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1364 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Scientific Research Corporation is the sole awardee, highlighting their specific capabilities. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 5. The award is for engineering services, a critical component of METOC operations. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $6 million over roughly 3.7 years suggests a moderate investment. Without specific benchmarks for METOC SACS support, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type introduces risk, as costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if not rigorously controlled. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's pricing structure and deliverables to similar support services for meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) systems.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The Navy's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide the required METOC SACS support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and ensures that the government receives the best possible value by considering a wide range of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and its personnel who rely on accurate meteorological and oceanographic data and support. The services delivered are crucial for naval operations, including navigation, mission planning, and environmental monitoring. The contract is likely to have a geographic impact primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Navy, potentially worldwide. The contract supports specialized engineering services, which may involve a highly skilled workforce in scientific and technical fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs to maximize fee, requiring robust oversight.
Lack of specific performance metrics or detailed deliverables in the provided data makes it hard to assess performance outcomes.
The long duration of the contract (over 3 years) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements not being adequately managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive pricing environment.
The contract supports critical METOC (Meteorological and Oceanographic) functions for the Navy, suggesting strategic importance.
The contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, is likely selected based on demonstrated expertise in relevant engineering services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing firms that provide engineering consulting and design services. The market for defense-related engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for technological advancement and operational support within military branches. This specific contract supports Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) systems, a specialized niche within defense engineering that is critical for naval operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar METOC support or specialized engineering services awarded by the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, is likely a large business. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's own subcontracting plan or if they choose to engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of the Navy, likely through contracting officers and technical representatives. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for money and prevent overruns. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including reporting requirements and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific details of performance and cost breakdowns may be limited.

Related Government Programs

Naval METOC Services
Defense Meteorological Support
Oceanographic Research Contracts
Engineering Services for DoD
Scientific and Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration increases potential for scope creep and requirement changes.
Specific performance metrics and deliverables not detailed in provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.1 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. METOC SACS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-07. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Scientific Research Corporation in delivering similar METOC or engineering support services to the Department of Defense?

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) has a history of supporting defense and aerospace clients with advanced technology solutions, including areas related to sensor systems, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). While specific details on their METOC SACS support experience require deeper investigation into their contract history, SRC's general capabilities in complex engineering, systems integration, and scientific research suggest they possess the foundational expertise for such a contract. Their portfolio often includes work with various branches of the U.S. military, indicating familiarity with defense procurement processes and operational requirements. A thorough review of their past performance ratings and any publicly available project outcomes related to meteorological or oceanographic support would provide a more precise assessment of their suitability and past success in this specific domain.

How does the estimated cost per year for this contract compare to similar METOC support contracts awarded by the Navy or other DoD branches?

The contract value is approximately $6.06 million, awarded on March 7, 2023, with an end date of November 30, 2026, spanning roughly 3.7 years. This equates to an estimated annual cost of approximately $1.64 million ($6.06M / 3.7 years). Benchmarking this against similar METOC support contracts requires access to a comprehensive database of historical defense procurements. However, generally, specialized engineering and scientific support services for critical military functions like METOC can range significantly based on scope, complexity, and duration. Contracts for advanced meteorological modeling, sensor maintenance, data analysis, and system integration can vary widely. Without specific comparable contract data, it is challenging to definitively state if $1.64 million annually represents a high, low, or average cost. Factors such as the specific systems supported, the level of expertise required, and the geographic operational scope heavily influence pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for METOC SACS support, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their fee is a percentage of the allowable costs. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. For METOC SACS support, risks could include unforeseen technical challenges in data processing or system maintenance, leading to increased labor hours and material costs. Mitigation strategies employed by the Navy would typically involve robust oversight by contracting officers and technical representatives, detailed cost accounting standards, regular audits of contractor expenditures, and clear definition of allowable costs. Performance metrics and milestones, even within a CPFF structure, are crucial for ensuring the contractor remains focused on delivering the required services efficiently and effectively, thereby managing the inherent risks of this contract type.

What is the strategic importance of METOC SACS support to the Department of the Navy's overall mission effectiveness?

Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) SACS (Support, Analysis, and Command Systems) support is fundamentally critical to the Department of the Navy's mission effectiveness across a wide spectrum of operations. Accurate and timely environmental intelligence—understanding weather patterns, ocean currents, sea states, and acoustic conditions—directly impacts naval capabilities. This includes safe navigation of vessels and aircraft, effective deployment of sensors and weapons systems (e.g., sonar performance is heavily influenced by oceanographic conditions), mission planning in dynamic environments, and the safety of personnel. Advanced METOC systems and the support provided by contractors like Scientific Research Corporation enable the Navy to maintain situational awareness, optimize operational performance, and achieve strategic objectives in diverse and often challenging global environments. Without robust METOC support, naval operations would face significantly increased risks and reduced effectiveness.

How has the Navy's spending on METOC SACS support evolved over the past five years, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

Analyzing the Navy's spending evolution on METOC SACS support requires access to historical contract databases and budget allocations. Without specific aggregated data for this category, it's difficult to provide a precise trend. However, the Navy's reliance on advanced METOC capabilities has generally increased with the complexity of modern naval operations and the integration of sophisticated sensor and data analysis technologies. Contracts like this $6.06 million award for engineering services represent ongoing investment in maintaining and enhancing these critical support functions. Whether this specific contract represents a 'significant shift' would depend on its size relative to historical spending patterns and whether it introduces new technologies or service models. Typically, such awards reflect a sustained commitment rather than a radical departure, assuming the underlying need for METOC SACS support remains a priority.

What are the potential implications of this contract being a delivery order under a larger vehicle, and how does that affect competition and oversight?

If this contract is a delivery order (awarded as 'DELIVERY ORDER') under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar contract vehicle, it implies that the foundational competition and vetting of the prime contractor (Scientific Research Corporation) likely occurred when the parent IDIQ contract was awarded. This can streamline the process for subsequent delivery orders. However, the competition for individual delivery orders can vary; some IDIQ vehicles allow for further competition among awardees, while others may be sole-source or limited competition for specific orders. The oversight for a delivery order is typically managed by the task order contracting officer, focusing on the specific requirements and performance of that order, while the overall IDIQ contract oversight rests with the contracting officer for the parent contract. This structure can offer efficiency but may reduce the level of direct competition for each individual task compared to a standalone, full-and-open competition.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6523618R0168

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PKWY STE 400S, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,153,579

Exercised Options: $10,383,597

Current Obligation: $6,058,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6523621D4804

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline