NOAA's $27.8M observer support contract awarded to LYNKER CORPORATION for Hawaii and American Samoa

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,862,138 ($27.9M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2018-09-07

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,849 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HAWAII AND AMERICAN SAMOA OBSERVER SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96818

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $27.9 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: HAWAII AND AMERICAN SAMOA OBSERVER SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in scientific observation services for remote Pacific regions. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 4. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The specific NAICS code (541690) points to specialized consulting services, likely requiring technical expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of approximately $27.8 million over five years averages to about $5.56 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for scientific observer support in remote locations is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The awardee, LYNKER CORPORATION, has a history of government contracts, which may indicate a level of established performance and pricing. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of services and deliverables to industry standards and other NOAA or related agency contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. While this indicates an initial broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that certain potential bidders may have been excluded prior to the final competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature implies that multiple companies had the opportunity to compete, which generally fosters price discovery and potentially better value. The specific reason for excluding sources would be critical to understanding the full competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers, potentially leading to lower prices and higher quality services. However, the exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.

Public Impact

Fisheries management and marine ecosystem research in Hawaii and American Samoa benefit from the data collected by observers. The contract supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) mission to understand and conserve marine resources. Geographic impact is concentrated in the Pacific, supporting critical scientific operations in these island regions. The services likely involve personnel deployed on vessels, impacting local maritime workforces and communities in the specified regions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires further investigation to ensure fair market access.
Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes makes it difficult to assess the true value-for-money.
The long contract duration could pose risks if contractor performance degrades over time without adequate oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a structured procurement process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports critical scientific observation for NOAA's mission.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category (NAICS 541690). This sector involves providing expertise and advice on scientific and technical issues. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies like NOAA to conduct research, manage resources, and ensure regulatory compliance. The market for such services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized scientific and technical support. This contract represents a portion of NOAA's broader investment in scientific data collection and analysis for marine environments.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly provided in the data. Typically, contracts of this nature and value might include provisions for small business participation. Without specific details, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. Further review of the contract documents would be necessary to determine if small businesses were targeted for subcontracting opportunities or if the prime contract itself was set aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms are typically managed by the contracting officer and program managers within NOAA. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract. The firm-fixed-price nature provides some level of cost oversight.

Related Government Programs

Fisheries Observer Program
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Endangered Species Act
National Marine Fisheries Service Contracts
Scientific Data Collection Services

Risk Flags

Competition Clause Ambiguity
Potential for Undisclosed Performance Issues
Geographic Challenges in Service Delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $27.9 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. HAWAII AND AMERICAN SAMOA OBSERVER SUPPORT

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 $27.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-07. End: 2023-09-30.

What is the track record of LYNKER CORPORATION with government contracts, particularly with NOAA?

LYNKER CORPORATION has a history of receiving government contracts, including those with NOAA and other federal agencies. Their contract portfolio often includes scientific, technical, and engineering support services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of work, and adherence to budget, would provide insight into their reliability. Specific data on past performance ratings or any disputes/remedies would further inform an assessment of their track record. Without detailed performance history, it's assumed they met the requirements for this award based on the competitive process.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar observer support contracts?

Direct comparison of this $27.8 million contract value is difficult without knowing the precise scope of services, geographic coverage, and duration of comparable contracts. Observer support can vary significantly in cost depending on the type of observation (e.g., fisheries, marine mammals), the duration of deployments, the remoteness of the location, and the specific data requirements. NOAA's contracts for observer services in other regions or for different types of monitoring might offer benchmarks. However, the multi-year duration and the specific needs for Hawaii and American Samoa likely contribute to this contract's overall value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues by the contractor (e.g., data quality, timeliness), challenges in deploying observers to remote Pacific locations, and potential cost overruns if not managed tightly, despite the fixed-price nature. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by NOAA, clear contractual requirements, defined deliverables, and regular progress reviews. The firm-fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for the government, shifting cost overrun risk to the contractor. Contractor selection based on past performance also aims to mitigate performance risk.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' in ensuring value for taxpayers?

This contracting approach aims to balance broad competition with specific needs. 'Full and open' competition generally ensures a wide range of offers, driving down prices and improving quality. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders were not considered. The effectiveness for taxpayers hinges on whether this exclusion was justified (e.g., based on specialized capabilities, security requirements) and did not unduly stifle competition. If the exclusion was arbitrary, it could limit price discovery. Transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion is key to assessing taxpayer value.

What is the historical spending trend for observer support services by NOAA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for NOAA's observer support services would reveal patterns in contract values, awardees, and contract types over time. This specific contract, valued at $27.8 million over approximately five years, should be viewed within the context of NOAA's overall budget allocation for scientific support and data collection. Understanding whether spending in this area has increased, decreased, or remained stable can indicate shifts in program priorities, regulatory requirements, or market conditions. Consistent or increasing spending might suggest a sustained or growing need for these services.

What are the implications of the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type for this service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favored by government agencies when the scope of work is well-defined and risks can be reasonably assessed. For NOAA's observer support, an FFP contract means LYNKER CORPORATION is obligated to perform the work for a set price, regardless of their actual costs. This provides the government with significant cost certainty and protects against cost overruns. The primary risk shifts to the contractor, who must manage their expenses efficiently to maintain profitability. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs and deliver efficiently.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $28,620,121

Exercised Options: $28,620,121

Current Obligation: $27,862,138

Actual Outlays: $1,675,636

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M318DNFFT0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline