NOAA awards $37.4M contract to LYNKER CORPORATION for National Data Buoy Center technical services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,359,925 ($37.4M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FUNDING PROVIDED FOR THE NEW TECHNICAL SERVICES CONTRACT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ENGINEERING, MISSION CONTROL, PRODUCTION, LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONA

Place of Performance

Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $37.4 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: FUNDING PROVIDED FOR THE NEW TECHNICAL SERVICES CONTRACT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ENGINEERING, MISSION CONTROL, PRODUCTION, LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONA Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical and management support for critical data buoy functions. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 729 days indicates a medium-term engagement. 4. Delivery order under a larger contract structure. 5. Focus on environmental consulting services aligns with NOAA's mission. 6. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $37.4 million over two years for technical and management support for the National Data Buoy Center appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized technical support in environmental monitoring and data management would provide further context. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, necessitates close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized technical services. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most advantageous pricing and technical solution for essential data buoy operations.

Public Impact

The National Data Buoy Center benefits from continuous technical and management support, ensuring the reliability of its systems. Services include engineering, mission control, production, logistics, and operations, crucial for maintaining a robust data collection network. The geographic impact is national, as the data collected by the buoys supports weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and marine safety across U.S. waters. Workforce implications include support for specialized technical roles within LYNKER CORPORATION and potentially indirectly for NOAA personnel overseeing the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
Potential for scope creep given the broad nature of technical and management support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible process.
Contract supports a critical national infrastructure (National Data Buoy Center).
LYNKER CORPORATION is the sole awardee, suggesting they met all requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically supporting the operational and technical needs of a national data collection and monitoring program. The market for such specialized technical support services is driven by government agencies with significant infrastructure and data management requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar technical support to scientific or operational agencies, considering factors like duration, scope, and required expertise.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. While LYNKER CORPORATION is the prime contractor, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further investigation into LYNKER's subcontracting policies would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Data Buoy Center Operations
NOAA Weather and Climate Services
Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Technical Support Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competition intensity.
Scope creep risk in technical and management support contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $37.4 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. FUNDING PROVIDED FOR THE NEW TECHNICAL SERVICES CONTRACT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER. THIS CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ENGINEERING, MISSION CONTROL, PRODUCTION, LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONA

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 $37.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is LYNKER CORPORATION's track record with similar government contracts, particularly those involving technical and management support for scientific or operational infrastructure?

LYNKER CORPORATION has a history of securing and performing on government contracts, often in support of defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. Their portfolio frequently includes IT services, engineering support, and program management. For contracts similar to this NOAA award, their experience would likely encompass providing technical expertise for complex systems, managing project lifecycles, and ensuring operational continuity. A detailed review of their past performance evaluations and contract history within federal procurement databases would reveal specific successes and any areas of concern related to technical support for scientific infrastructure like the National Data Buoy Center. This would help assess their capability to deliver on the engineering, mission control, and operational support required.

How does the awarded amount of $37.4 million compare to historical spending on technical services for the National Data Buoy Center?

To accurately compare the $37.4 million award to historical spending, one would need to access historical contract data for the National Data Buoy Center's technical and management support functions. This would involve identifying previous contracts with similar scopes of work, noting their award values, durations, and the contractors involved. If previous contracts were significantly lower or higher, it could indicate changes in service requirements, market rates, or inflation. Conversely, if the current award is in line with historical averages for comparable services, it suggests consistent or predictable spending patterns. Without access to that specific historical data, a direct comparison is not possible, but the two-year duration of this contract provides a basis for annual spending estimates.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for these services, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or percentage. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not carefully managed. Risks include scope creep, where additional tasks are added without formal modification, and difficulty in accurately forecasting the total project cost. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strict adherence to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). Establishing clear milestones, requiring regular progress reports, and implementing strong change control processes are crucial for controlling costs and ensuring the contractor remains focused on defined objectives.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational effectiveness and data quality of the National Data Buoy Center?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the operational effectiveness and data quality of the National Data Buoy Center by providing dedicated technical and management support. The services encompass engineering, mission control, production, and logistics, all of which are critical for maintaining the functionality, reliability, and accuracy of the buoy network. Improved engineering support can lead to better system design and maintenance, while effective mission control ensures data is collected and transmitted without interruption. Enhanced production and logistics capabilities can streamline the deployment and servicing of buoys. Ultimately, this sustained support should lead to more consistent, high-quality environmental data, which is vital for weather forecasting, climate research, and marine safety applications.

Given the 'Environmental Consulting Services' NAICS code, how does this contract align with broader federal spending trends in environmental monitoring and data management?

This contract aligns with broader federal spending trends focused on environmental monitoring and data management, particularly within agencies like NOAA that are responsible for understanding and predicting environmental conditions. Federal spending in this area is driven by the increasing need for accurate climate data, weather forecasting, and marine resource management. Contracts supporting data collection infrastructure, such as the National Data Buoy Center, are essential components of this spending. The trend is towards more sophisticated data acquisition, processing, and analysis capabilities, often requiring specialized technical and management support. This award reflects the government's continued investment in maintaining and enhancing the systems that provide critical environmental intelligence.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1305M224RNWWG0003

Offers Received: 1

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: $123,985,927

Exercised Options: $45,598,906

Current Obligation: $37,359,925

Actual Outlays: $27,565,140

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