NOAA's $20.9M NCEP Network Infrastructure Services contract awarded to LYNKER CORPORATION for custom computer programming

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,928,645 ($20.9M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-06-12

End Date: 2026-06-11

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTION (NCEP) NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $20.9 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTION (NCEP) NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of network infrastructure services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 4. This contract supports critical environmental prediction services, highlighting its importance to national infrastructure. 5. LYNKER CORPORATION's performance on this contract will be a key indicator of their capability in this specialized IT sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $20.9 million over three years, with a base period of 1095 days, suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure and custom programming services contracts indicates that this pricing is within a competitive range, especially considering the specialized nature of supporting the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money.

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 bids. The presence of two bids suggests a degree of competition, though a higher number of bidders would typically provide stronger price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition is a positive sign for market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors, leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), which rely on robust network infrastructure for their critical weather and climate forecasting operations. Services delivered include custom computer programming and network infrastructure support, essential for maintaining and enhancing NCEP's operational capabilities. The geographic impact is national, as NCEP's services support disaster preparedness and environmental monitoring across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in supporting vital scientific and governmental functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type introduces inherent risk of cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored.
Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, possibly impacting long-term competition.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical network infrastructure services could create vendor lock-in risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible process for potential bidders.
Contract supports a critical government function (environmental prediction), indicating alignment with national priorities.
The contractor, LYNKER CORPORATION, is being tasked with essential IT services, implying a level of trust and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and network infrastructure. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive, with significant government spending allocated annually. This particular contract supports a specialized government agency (NOAA) with unique operational needs, differentiating it from more general IT support contracts. Comparable spending benchmarks would focus on IT services for scientific research and data processing agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While LYNKER CORPORATION may utilize small businesses in its subcontracting efforts, there is no explicit requirement or tracking mechanism evident from the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore indirect, depending on LYNKER's internal procurement strategies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

NCEP IT Modernization Efforts
NOAA Weather and Climate Data Services
Federal Civilian IT Infrastructure Contracts
Custom Software Development for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Limited Competition (2 Bidders)
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $20.9 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTION (NCEP) NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

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 $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-12. End: 2026-06-11.

What is LYNKER CORPORATION's track record with NOAA and similar federal agencies, particularly concerning network infrastructure and custom programming services?

Assessing LYNKER CORPORATION's track record requires a review of their past performance evaluations on federal contracts, specifically those with NOAA and other agencies requiring similar IT services. Key indicators include past performance ratings, any documented instances of contract disputes or terminations, and the successful completion of projects within scope, schedule, and budget. Information from sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be crucial. A history of successful delivery on complex IT projects, especially those involving critical infrastructure or scientific applications, would bolster confidence in their ability to execute this NCEP contract effectively. Conversely, a pattern of underperformance or issues could signal potential risks.

How does the estimated value of this contract compare to similar network infrastructure and custom programming services procured by NOAA or other scientific agencies?

To benchmark the value, one would compare the total contract value ($20.9M over 3 years) against similar contracts for network infrastructure support and custom programming services awarded by NOAA or comparable scientific/environmental agencies. Factors like contract duration, labor categories, service levels, and specific technical requirements are critical for a fair comparison. If similar contracts for comparable services have significantly lower or higher values, it could indicate potential overpricing or underestimation of the work required. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of this contract also warrants comparison with fixed-price or cost-plus contracts for similar work, as T&M can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if not managed tightly.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific NCEP network infrastructure service, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk with a T&M contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, rather than a fixed price. This can be exacerbated if work is inefficiently performed or if the scope is not clearly defined and controlled. For NCEP network infrastructure services, risks include scope creep, extended labor hours due to unforeseen technical challenges, and potentially inflated material costs. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, validation of material costs, establishment of not-to-exceed (NTE) limits, and clear definition of deliverables and milestones. Strong program management and regular performance reviews are essential to control costs and ensure value.

How effective is the current network infrastructure, and what is the expected impact of these services on NCEP's overall operational effectiveness and forecasting accuracy?

The effectiveness of the current network infrastructure is a critical factor driving the need for this contract. If the existing infrastructure is outdated, unreliable, or insufficient to meet growing data demands, these services are intended to upgrade and maintain it, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness. Improved network performance can lead to faster data transmission, increased system uptime, and the ability to handle larger datasets, all of which are crucial for accurate and timely weather and climate predictions. The impact on forecasting accuracy is indirect but significant; a robust and efficient network ensures that the complex models run by NCEP have the data inputs and processing capabilities they need, ultimately contributing to more reliable forecasts and warnings.

What are the historical spending patterns for NCEP network infrastructure and related IT services over the past five years, and how does this award fit into that trend?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for NCEP's network infrastructure and IT services over the past five years would reveal trends in investment and expenditure. This includes looking at the total amount spent annually, the types of contracts awarded (e.g., T&M, fixed-price), the primary contractors, and any significant shifts in spending due to modernization efforts or changes in operational requirements. This $20.9M award needs to be viewed in context: is it an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels? Understanding these patterns helps assess whether this contract represents a sustainable investment, a response to a specific need, or a deviation from established budgetary trends for NCEP's IT infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1305M322QNWWX0087

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 338 E MARKET ST, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,829,735

Exercised Options: $22,036,816

Current Obligation: $20,928,645

Actual Outlays: $16,583,795

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0046

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline