NOAA awards $55.2M for environmental consulting, with LYNKER CORPORATION securing a significant portion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,236,244 ($55.2M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MGMT AND ADMINISTRATION FINANCE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION GEOSPATIAL DATA DEVELOPMENT AND MAPPING

Place of Performance

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

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $55.2 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MGMT AND ADMINISTRATION FINANCE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION GEOSPATIAL DATA DEVELOPMENT AND MAPPING Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the multi-year duration and scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with the contract type (Time and Materials) requiring careful monitoring. 4. Performance context is tied to NOAA's coastal program implementation and geospatial data needs. 5. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting, a critical area for federal agencies. 6. The contract's duration of five years suggests a need for sustained support in these areas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $55.2 million over five years for environmental consulting services is substantial. Benchmarking against similar NOAA contracts for technical and management support reveals a comparable scale. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the duration and breadth of services suggest a reasonable, albeit not exceptional, investment.

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 five bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, points to a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and can incentivize contractors to offer competitive terms and innovative solutions to secure the award.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a competitive price, preventing potential overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

Coastal communities and environmental stakeholders benefit from improved program implementation and data management. Services delivered include management, administration, finance, training, technical assistance, communication, outreach, and geospatial data development. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting NOAA's broad coastal and environmental mandates. The contract supports a specialized workforce in environmental consulting and geospatial analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The broad scope of services requires clear performance standards and monitoring.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for critical program support.
Contractor LYNKER CORPORATION has experience in similar federal contracts.
Supports vital NOAA missions related to coastal programs and environmental data.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant component of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of agency missions from environmental protection to resource management. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements, scientific research, and the need for specialized expertise in areas like geospatial data and program implementation. Comparable contracts often involve similar scopes of work, focusing on technical assistance, data analysis, and project management.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While LYNKER CORPORATION is the prime contractor, the extent of small business subcontracting is not detailed here. Federal policy encourages small business participation, and the success of this contract in meeting those goals would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and execution. Without specific subcontracting data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, approving invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General may also conduct audits or investigations into the contract's administration and financial aspects to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Coastal Zone Management Program
NOAA National Ocean Service
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consulting Contracts
US Geological Survey (USGS) Geospatial Services Contracts
Department of the Interior Environmental Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Broad scope requires diligent performance monitoring.
Dependence on contractor for critical mission support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $55.2 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: MGMT AND ADMINISTRATION FINANCE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH COASTAL PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION GEOSPATIAL DATA DEVELOPMENT AND MAPPING

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 $55.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is LYNKER CORPORATION's track record with federal contracts, particularly with NOAA?

LYNKER CORPORATION has a history of securing federal contracts, including those with NOAA and other agencies involved in environmental and scientific services. Their experience often spans areas such as program management, technical support, and data analysis. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services provided, contract values, and performance ratings on past awards. For this specific contract, their ability to successfully deliver on the diverse requirements of NOAA's coastal programs and geospatial data development will be a key indicator of their suitability and performance.

How does the pricing structure of this Time and Materials contract compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, offer flexibility by reimbursing the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts, where the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. T&M contracts can be advantageous when the scope of work is not well-defined or is expected to change. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not meticulously managed and monitored. Benchmarking T&M rates against historical data or industry standards for similar labor categories and overhead is crucial for assessing value.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials contract type for this specific award?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for uncontrolled cost growth. Since the contractor is reimbursed for labor hours and material costs, there's an incentive to bill for more hours or use more expensive materials if oversight is insufficient. For this NOAA contract, risks include scope creep without corresponding adjustments to funding ceilings, inefficient labor utilization, and potentially inflated material costs. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, clear task definitions, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to the contract's ceiling limitations.

How effective has NOAA been in managing similar environmental consulting contracts in the past?

NOAA's effectiveness in managing environmental consulting contracts can be assessed through various indicators, including contract performance ratings, audit findings from the Office of Inspector General, and the successful achievement of program objectives tied to these contracts. Historically, large federal agencies like NOAA manage numerous contracts, and their effectiveness can vary. Factors such as the clarity of statements of work, the diligence of contract administration, and the responsiveness of contractors play significant roles. Analyzing past performance data and any documented issues or successes related to similar NOAA contracts would provide a clearer picture of their management capabilities in this domain.

What has been the historical spending trend for environmental consulting services at NOAA over the last five years?

To assess historical spending trends for environmental consulting services at NOAA, one would need to analyze federal procurement data over the past five fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts categorized under relevant North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, such as 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services), and filtering for NOAA as the awarding agency. Examining the total obligated amounts and the number of contracts awarded annually would reveal patterns of spending, indicating whether investment in these services has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. This trend analysis provides context for the current $55.2 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1305M221QNCNP0009

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5485 CONESTOGA CT STE 220, BOULDER, CO, 80301

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,193,006

Exercised Options: $56,193,006

Current Obligation: $55,236,244

Actual Outlays: $28,930,215

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M419DNCNA0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline