Commerce Dept. Awards $101,699 for Cisco Meraki Network Refresh at Pohnpei Weather Office

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,170 ($10.2K)

Contractor: Lyme Computer Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-10-06

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO REFRESH THE EXISTING CISCO MERAKI NETWORK EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED LICENSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED TO WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE (WSO) POHNPEI. THIS NETWORK EQUIPMENT PROVIDES THE BEST COMPATIBILITY WHILE MEETING AGENCY LOGIST

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10,169.98 to LYME COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO REFRESH THE EXISTING CISCO MERAKI NETWORK EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED LICENSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED TO WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE (WSO) POHNPEI. THIS NETWORK EQUIPMENT PROVIDES THE BEST COMPATIBILITY WHILE MEETING AGENCY LOGIST Key points: 1. Procurement focuses on refreshing existing Cisco Meraki network equipment and licenses for a specific Weather Service Office. 2. The contract value is $101,699.98, with a duration of 181 days. 3. Competition method is 'Full and Open', indicating broad market access. 4. The primary sector appears to be IT infrastructure, supporting critical weather services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $101,699.98 for network equipment refresh seems reasonable for a single office location. However, without specific details on the quantity and type of equipment, a precise pricing assessment against similar contracts is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The award method was a BPA Call, which typically leverages pre-negotiated terms, potentially leading to efficient price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to maintain essential communication infrastructure for a critical government function, ensuring operational continuity.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of vital weather monitoring and communication systems. Supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) mission. Maintains cybersecurity and network performance for a remote facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 56 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited contract duration (181 days) may necessitate future procurements.
Lack of detail on specific equipment and licensing makes cost-effectiveness hard to verify.
Reliance on a single vendor's ecosystem (Cisco Meraki) could limit future flexibility.

Positive Signals

Utilizes full and open competition for potential cost savings.
Addresses a clear need for equipment refresh to maintain operational capability.
Supports critical national infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on network hardware and software licensing. Spending benchmarks for similar network refreshes vary widely based on scale and complexity, but this appears to be a targeted refresh for a single, specific location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or participated in the full and open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a BPA Call, suggesting some level of pre-existing oversight and established contract vehicles. The short duration and specific nature of the refresh imply a focused procurement process.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of Commerce Contracting
Office of the Secretary Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with Cisco Meraki ecosystem.
Limited contract duration may lead to recurring procurement efforts.
Lack of detailed equipment specifications hinders thorough cost-benefit analysis.
Cybersecurity implications of network refresh need further scrutiny.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10,169.98 to LYME COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.. THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO REFRESH THE EXISTING CISCO MERAKI NETWORK EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED LICENSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED TO WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE (WSO) POHNPEI. THIS NETWORK EQUIPMENT PROVIDES THE BEST COMPATIBILITY WHILE MEETING AGENCY LOGIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LYME COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,169.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-10-06.

What is the specific list of Cisco Meraki equipment and licenses being procured, and how does this align with the agency's long-term network strategy?

The provided data does not detail the specific Cisco Meraki equipment models or license types. Understanding this granular information is crucial for assessing if the procurement aligns with the agency's broader IT strategy, ensures compatibility with existing infrastructure, and avoids redundant purchases. Without this, it's difficult to fully evaluate the long-term value and potential for future scalability or integration.

Given the remote location of WSO Pohnpei, what are the contingency plans and support mechanisms in place for this network equipment, and how do they compare to industry standards?

The data does not specify contingency plans or support mechanisms beyond the refresh itself. For a remote location like Pohnpei, robust support and rapid replacement strategies are critical due to potential logistical challenges. Assessing these plans against industry best practices for critical infrastructure in isolated areas is essential to understanding the overall risk mitigation strategy and ensuring operational resilience.

How does the pricing for this Cisco Meraki refresh compare to similar procurements for other NOAA or federal weather offices of comparable size and technical requirements?

A direct comparison of pricing is challenging without detailed specifications of the equipment and licenses. However, the 'Full and Open Competition' award method suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing. Benchmarking against similar BPA calls or refresh contracts for comparable facilities would provide a clearer picture of whether this $101,699.98 award represents good value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 240 MECHANIC ST STE 301, LEBANON, NH, 03766

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,170

Exercised Options: $10,170

Current Obligation: $10,170

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L525A13OS0017

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline