NOAA awards $33.3M technical and scientific support contract to LYNKER CORPORATION, with a 3-year period of performance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,317,643 ($33.3M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2018-11-05

End Date: 2021-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,060 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOAA/OCM TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES. DATE SIGNED DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH C.AWARD DATE SIGNED. DUE TO LEGAL REVIEW DELAYS IN THE AWARD, THE AWARD WAS MADE IN FY19; HOWEVER, INSTRUCTED BY CLIENT SERVICES TO INPUT A FY18 "SIGNED ON" DATE IN ORDER TO MATCH THE FPDS PIID NUMBER WITH AWARD NUMBER.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29405

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $33.3 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: NOAA/OCM TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES. DATE SIGNED DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH C.AWARD DATE SIGNED. DUE TO LEGAL REVIEW DELAYS IN THE AWARD, THE AWARD WAS MADE IN FY19; HOWEVER, INSTRUCTED BY CLIENT SERVICES TO INPUT A FY18 "SIGNED ON" DATE IN ORDER TO MATCH THE FPDS PII… Key points: 1. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can carry higher risk if not managed closely. 3. The period of performance spans over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The contractor, LYNKER CORPORATION, is a relatively new entity in federal contracting, with this award representing a significant opportunity. 5. The NAICS code 541611 points to management consulting services, a broad category with varying cost structures. 6. The award was made in FY19 but backdated to FY18 due to administrative delays, which is an unusual but not uncommon practice.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $33.3 million over approximately three years suggests a substantial investment in technical and scientific support. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for NOAA or other scientific agencies would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not diligently monitored, potentially impacting overall value. Without detailed task orders and performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if the value delivered aligns with market rates for these specialized services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and can result in more favorable terms for the government. The specific details of the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals received would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment. It also promotes a wider pool of potential contractors, fostering innovation and preventing vendor lock-in.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from this contract through enhanced technical and scientific support. Services delivered likely include research, data analysis, program management, and scientific advisory functions. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting NOAA's widespread operations and research initiatives. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical roles, potentially impacting the workforce in these fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation if not managed effectively.
Administrative delays in award processing indicate potential internal inefficiencies.
The contractor is relatively new, which may present initial learning curve challenges.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge efficiency and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive process.
The contract duration of over three years suggests a stable, long-term need for these services.
The contract supports critical scientific and technical functions for NOAA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise and varying contract values. Federal spending in this area supports a multitude of government functions, from policy development to operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the technical and scientific support provided, but general management consulting services can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the prime contractor, LYNKER CORPORATION, is not a small business. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plan and the nature of the work required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within NOAA. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure adherence to the contract ceiling and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Scientific Support Services
Federal Management Consulting Services
Technical Advisory Contracts
Scientific Research Support
Government Program Management Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Administrative delays may indicate process inefficiencies.
Contractor's limited federal track record may pose performance risks.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $33.3 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. NOAA/OCM TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES. DATE SIGNED DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH C.AWARD DATE SIGNED. DUE TO LEGAL REVIEW DELAYS IN THE AWARD, THE AWARD WAS MADE IN FY19; HOWEVER, INSTRUCTED BY CLIENT SERVICES TO INPUT A FY18 "SIGNED ON" DATE IN ORDER TO MATCH THE FPDS PIID NUMBER WITH AWARD NUMBER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LYNKER CORPORATION.

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 $33.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-05. End: 2021-09-30.

What is LYNKER CORPORATION's track record with federal contracts prior to this award?

Prior to this significant award from NOAA, LYNKER CORPORATION had a limited federal contracting history. While specific details on prior contracts are not provided in the abbreviated data, the scale of this $33.3 million award suggests it represents a substantial expansion of their federal footprint. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any prior awards, would be crucial to fully assess their experience and capability in delivering complex technical and scientific support services. Understanding their performance on smaller contracts could offer insights into their ability to manage larger, more complex engagements like this one.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. They reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not managed stringently. For scientific and technical support services where tasks can be unpredictable, T&M can be appropriate. However, agencies often prefer Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) or Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contracts for better cost control and predictability, especially for well-defined requirements. The government's ability to effectively monitor and control T&M contracts is paramount to achieving value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with the administrative delays in the contract award?

The administrative delays in awarding this contract, leading to a backdated start date, can introduce several risks. Firstly, it may indicate internal process inefficiencies within the contracting agency, potentially affecting future procurements. Secondly, it can create confusion regarding the actual period of performance and financial tracking, especially if not meticulously documented. While the data states the award was made in FY19 but signed on in FY18 to match FPDS, this discrepancy requires careful reconciliation. Such delays can also impact the contractor's ability to commence work promptly and efficiently, potentially affecting project timelines and the timely delivery of critical services to NOAA.

How does the $33.3 million contract value compare to historical NOAA spending on similar services?

Without specific historical data on NOAA's spending for comparable technical and scientific support services, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $33.3 million represents a significant investment. To assess if this value is in line with historical spending, one would need to analyze NOAA's procurement history for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and scope of work over the past several fiscal years. Factors such as inflation, changes in agency needs, and market rates for consulting services would need to be considered. A detailed analysis of past awards for similar services would reveal whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for NOAA in this category.

What specific types of technical and scientific support are typically covered under NAICS code 541611 for an agency like NOAA?

NAICS code 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, when applied to an agency like NOAA, typically encompasses a broad range of support. This can include strategic planning, organizational analysis, program management support, policy development assistance, and operational efficiency improvements. For NOAA, this might translate to support in areas such as climate research program management, fisheries data analysis strategy, oceanic exploration planning, environmental data management consulting, and scientific advisory services. The 'technical and scientific' aspect suggests the consulting focuses on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of NOAA's core scientific missions and operations, rather than purely administrative functions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 202 CHURCH ST SE #301 MAILSTOP #536, LEESBURG, VA, 20175

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,844,666

Exercised Options: $33,844,666

Current Obligation: $33,317,643

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F125CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline