Commerce Department awards $13.3M software contract to Lyme Computer Systems, Inc. for 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,325 ($13.3K)

Contractor: Lyme Computer Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NETS

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 $13,324.97 to LYME COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: NETS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. A Base Period of 364 days with potential for extensions indicates a standard contract duration. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 5. The contractor, Lyme Computer Systems, Inc., has secured this award from the Department of Commerce. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 511210 points to software publishing services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this $13.3 million contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar software publishing services. However, the firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps potential cost overruns. The number of bids received (8) provides a basis for assessing competitive pricing, but without knowing the bid amounts, a definitive value assessment is challenging. The contract duration of approximately one year, with options, is typical for software services.

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. Eight bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple vendors competed to offer the best value. This process helps prevent inflated pricing and encourages cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the various offices within the Department of Commerce that require software publishing services. The contract will deliver essential software products and potentially related support services to the agency. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the contract is managed and likely where services will be primarily utilized. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities within Lyme Computer Systems, Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance.
The BPA Call nature of the award might obscure the specific details of the competition at the call level.
No information is provided on whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type transfers cost risk to the contractor.
The contractor, Lyme Computer Systems, Inc., has secured a significant federal contract, suggesting some level of established capability.
Multiple bidders (8) indicate market interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The software publishing industry is a significant sector within the broader IT market, encompassing the development, marketing, and distribution of software. This contract falls under NAICS code 511210, which includes businesses primarily engaged in publishing software, including operating systems, applications, and video games. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various government functions from administrative operations to advanced research and development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average contract values for similar software publishing services awarded by federal agencies over a defined period.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary award went to Lyme Computer Systems, Inc., which is not identified as a small business in this context. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this specific award. Future analysis could explore whether the prime contractor has a history of subcontracting with small businesses on similar federal contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, oversight may also be influenced by the terms and conditions of the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and accountability measures are typically managed internally by the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Software Development Services
IT Professional Services
Cloud Computing Services
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software
Data Management Software

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to undefined specific software requirements.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting agency operations.
Security vulnerabilities in delivered software.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $13,324.97 to LYME COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.. NETS

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 $13,324.97.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of Lyme Computer Systems, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding Lyme Computer Systems, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, securing a $13.3 million contract with the Department of Commerce suggests a certain level of experience and capability in serving government clients. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules, and budget management, would be necessary. Examining federal procurement databases for previous awards, contract modifications, and any reported performance issues would provide a more comprehensive picture of their federal contracting history and reliability.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar software publishing awards?

The $13.3 million value for a 3-year contract (approximately $4.4 million annually) for software publishing services is within a common range for federal IT procurements. However, a precise comparison requires detailed analysis of the specific services rendered, the complexity of the software, and the number of users or systems supported. Benchmarking against contracts with similar NAICS codes (511210) awarded by agencies of comparable size and mission would provide a more accurate assessment. Factors such as the inclusion of maintenance, support, licensing, and customization can significantly influence contract value, making direct comparisons challenging without granular data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks for this contract include potential performance issues if Lyme Computer Systems, Inc. fails to deliver software that meets the Department of Commerce's requirements or if there are delays in delivery. Given it's a Firm Fixed Price contract, cost overruns are primarily the contractor's responsibility, but scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges could still lead to disputes or requests for contract modifications. Another risk could be the obsolescence of the software over the contract's lifespan, requiring potential updates or replacements. Security vulnerabilities in the software also pose a significant risk, necessitating robust testing and patching protocols. Finally, the reliance on a single contractor for critical software could create operational risks if the contractor faces financial instability or business disruptions.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The contract was awarded under full and open competition with eight bidders, which is generally a strong indicator of effective competition. This level of competition typically drives down prices and encourages vendors to offer their best value propositions to secure the award. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market has sufficient capacity and interest to meet the government's needs, preventing a situation where a single vendor could dictate terms. While the firm fixed-price structure further protects taxpayers by capping costs, the ultimate effectiveness in ensuring value also depends on the clarity of the statement of work and the agency's ability to monitor performance and enforce contract terms.

What are the historical spending patterns for software publishing services at the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for software publishing services at the Department of Commerce would involve reviewing procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., custom development, off-the-shelf licenses, maintenance), and the contractors most frequently awarded these types of agreements. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current $13.3 million award is consistent with past investments, or if it represents a significant increase or decrease. It also informs budget planning and helps identify potential areas for cost savings or strategic sourcing by understanding which types of software solutions have been prioritized historically.

What is the significance of the BPA Call award type?

A BPA Call signifies that this contract is an order placed against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established mechanisms used by federal agencies to streamline the procurement of recurring goods or services from specific vendors. They are not contracts in themselves but rather agreements that simplify the process of issuing orders. The 'Call' indicates a specific task order issued under that BPA. This award type suggests that the underlying BPA was likely competed previously, and this call represents a specific instance of utilizing that pre-competed framework. It can lead to faster acquisition but might offer less transparency into the specific competition for this individual call compared to a standalone full and open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

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: $13,325

Exercised Options: $13,325

Current Obligation: $13,325

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L525A13OS0017

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline